{"id":526911,"date":"2026-03-16T13:39:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/526911\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:39:14","slug":"as-gas-prices-rise-drivers-can-stretch-their-tanks-a-bit-farther-with-these-simple-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/526911\/","title":{"rendered":"As gas prices rise, drivers can stretch their tanks a bit farther with these simple tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

DETROIT (AP) \u2014 When gas prices spike<\/a>, filling up gets more painful. But consumers can do something to stretch their fuel just a little farther: Change the way they drive.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a hard one to swallow, right? You gotta put gas in to go about your day and get to work and pick the kids up from school,\u201d said Michael Crossen, Consumer Reports\u2019 manager of auto testing. <\/p>\n

Here are seven tips from experts for drivers looking to use less gas:<\/p>\n

Drive slower, or use cruise control<\/p>\n

Vehicles are designed for maximum efficiency around highway speeds, said Sean Tucker, managing editor for compact and full-size vehicles at Kelley Blue Book. <\/p>\n

\u201cStick to 65 (mph, 105 kph) on the highway,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cToday\u2019s cars are geared to be most efficient at that speed, and you lose quite a bit of fuel efficiency the faster you go.\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Heavy<\/p>\n

Heavy traffic is visible at O\u2019Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh, File)<\/p>\n

Heavy traffic is visible at O\u2019Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh, File)<\/p>\n

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Some estimates suggest slowing down increases gas mileage as much as 14%.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a hard time doing that, cruise control is your friend,\u201d Tucker said. This maintains a set vehicle speed, which cuts the need to press on the gas pedal, and avoids fluctuations like jerky acceleration or hard braking.<\/p>\n

Experts also recommend coasting to stoplights, whether there is a red light ahead or a green light that is likely to change soon. <\/p>\n

Limit idling<\/p>\n

Use a vehicle\u2019s automatic start-stop ignition<\/a>, experts say. This shuts off the engine at stoplights or when idling, and restarts it once the accelerator is pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re stuck in traffic and you see it bumper to bumper for a while and you have start-stop, don\u2019t turn that off,\u201d said David Bennett, AAA senior automotive manager. \u201cAllow the engine to turn on and off as it\u2019s needed.\u201d <\/p>\n

That\u2019s especially true for when drivers don\u2019t need to blast air conditioning while waiting for long periods of time. <\/p>\n

Reduce your car\u2019s drag and drop extra weight<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

A person walks past a gas station March 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura, File)<\/p>\n

A person walks past a gas station March 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura, File)<\/p>\n

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Many drivers have roof racks on top of their vehicles or bike racks on the back. It takes extra fuel to push that structure through the air \u2014 experts have found it can cost several miles per gallon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re not actually using those devices, it\u2019s like dragging a parachute behind your car,\u201d Crossen said. \u201cAny other type of accessories that basically cause drag, you want to lose those.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re carrying heavy items in your back seat, trunk or truck bed, and you don\u2019t need them, leave them at home.<\/p>\n

Check your tire pressure and look to other maintenance, too <\/p>\n

Experts say it\u2019s important that tires are properly inflated, based on what the vehicle\u2019s manual recommends. Checking tire pressure every other fill-up is one suggestion.<\/p>\n

\u201cLower-inflated tires will increase the resistance on the road, so properly inflated, the vehicle is going to drive a little bit smoother and be able to accelerate properly,\u201d Bennett said. Expect an impact on gas mileage by as much as 10%, estimates say. <\/p>\n

Auto shops might also be able to make some simple changes to improve a vehicle\u2019s fuel economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re finding that you are not getting close to what you\u2019re supposed to, then you need to go to the mechanic,\u201d Tucker said.<\/p>\n

For example, they might replace the air filter, or oxygen sensors that tell the engine how rich to make the fuel mixture.<\/p>\n

Consider carpooling and combining trips<\/p>\n

Figure out a carpool if you can, and you\u2019re effectively splitting costs with the other participants.<\/p>\n

And be more thoughtful in planning and organizing your driving to make fewer trips overall.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make unnecessary stops. Don\u2019t drive all the way across town just to save a dollar on eggs,\u201d Crossen said. \u201cPlan your trips. Don\u2019t drive if you don\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

What fuel are you buying, and where?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Vehicles<\/p>\n

Vehicles drive past a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed March 4, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo\/Jenny Kane, File)<\/p>\n

Vehicles drive past a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed March 4, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo\/Jenny Kane, File)<\/p>\n

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Some cars require more expensive premium gas, and that\u2019s what they should get, experts say. But sometimes drivers are filling up with premium when their vehicle doesn\u2019t need it \u2014 and will do just fine on cheaper regular gas, they say.<\/p>\n

Regardless of your octane choice, you can be mindful of the quality of your gas. Consider whether a local station carries what\u2019s called \u201cTop Tier gas\u201d \u2014 gas developed with additives aimed at clearing carbon deposits from your engine. During periods of high prices or shortages, it isn\u2019t a requirement, but it\u2019s good for vehicles long term.<\/p>\n

Apps such as GasBuddy are great resources to compare local gas prices or prices along a driver\u2019s route back home. <\/p>\n

Experts say to also start thinking about getting gas when you\u2019re around half a tank. That gives you some flexibility to watch for lower prices.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s time for a new car, consider a hybrid<\/p>\n

The average age of a vehicle on the road these days is about 12 years, and newer vehicles are more fuel efficient than older ones. Not everyone can afford a new vehicle, but when it\u2019s time, shoppers can consider a hybrid if they\u2019re not ready to go fully electric.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re ready to get off gas entirely, EVs \u2014 including plenty of used models \u2014 are out there.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn<\/a>. Reach her at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Read more of AP\u2019s climate coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

The Associated Press\u2019 climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP\u2019s standards<\/a> for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n