How to Pump Gas for Maximum Value

With gasoline prices rapidly pushing toward $4 per gallon, wasting gasoline through carelessness and ignorance at the pump now makes a significant difference in your budget. Here are some tips to help you get more for your money.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Squeeze the trigger of the nozzle as lightly as possible. Pumping at a low rate minimizes the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less for your money.

2. Do not pump if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas. The gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

3. Watch your speed. Hitting the brakes hard after accelerating can waste precious gas. Try to coast to a stop whenever possible.