Drivers looking for cheaper gas: look a little to the left. Switching from premium to regular might not be a big deal at all.
As the average price of a gallon of gas exceed $3.93, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, and inches toward record highs, drivers are struggling to find ways to save on gas.
“You’ll find that in today’s automobiles, advances in engine technology mean that even if the owner’s manual recommends premium gasoline, the car will typically run on regular without knocking,” said Edmunds auto expert Philip Reed.
The only noticeable difference drivers might see is that “it might be a half-second slower from zero to 60 miles per hour,” Reed said.
But it’s important to identify whether premium gas is just suggested or it’s actually required by the manufacturer.
“In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit,” insists the Federal Trade Commission. “Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money,” the agency says.
To determine whether your car requires premium gas or whether it’s just recommended, check out Edmunds.com for more information.
For those who are reluctant to give anything but the best to the pride and joy in their driveway, the Department of Energy offers tips for improving your car’s fuel economy.
And each state has different resources residents can use to find the cheapest gas in their area, as noted by fueleconomy.gov.
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Image by crowt59, via Flickr
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Good tips, Althea! I am using the Gas Buddy app on my Droid to check gas prices. It’s only a couple of cents per gallon difference per station, but I suppose it does add up. (And since I have five gas stations within close distance to my house it’s easy to choose the cheapest one.)