May 21: Tips for Saving on Gas

May 21, 2026

Some tips and tricks for saving on gas

While a recent tax cut has offered up some relief on the price of gas, it’s still a lot higher than it was during the winter.

We’ve already started to think about ways to cut back. Maybe we don’t really need to warm up the car for so long. Perhaps we can find what we’re looking for closer in the neighbourhood. And once the weather warms up, the two-wheeler can be dusted off and used for short errands.

What are other people doing to save on gas? Save with SPP took a look around to find out.

In a long, COVID-era article on generally saving on household expenses, the folks at MoneySense start us off with a few solid ideas.

First, the publication suggests, be sure your vehicle is well-maintained.

“Stay on top of oil changes and components as they wear, so your machine is running with as little as friction as possible—that’s the best way to save money,” Josh Smythe of the British Columbia Automobile Association tells MoneySense.

Next, check your tires and make sure they are correctly inflated. “Air pressure is super important for fuel economy,” Smythe tells the publication. “Tire wear in the wintertime is not only effective for traction, but for saving fuel.”

Another interesting tip – clear out your trunk, and remove roof racks when you aren’t using them. The extra weight burns more fuel, and the rack can increase wind friction, which also burns more gas.

Over at CTV a number of tips authored by the Canadian Press are featured.

A first idea is to know in advance where you’re going – plan your trips, the article suggests.

“If you research your route and use traffic newscasts or driving apps, you can avoid accident zones and other slow-moving areas, which help you save on gas,” the article begins, quoting Teresa Di Felice of the Canadian Automobile Association. Also, consider grouping trips to save on gas – combine errands into one trip rather than multiple ones, the article adds.

Keep your foot off the gas, and don’t slam your brakes, the article continues.

“Cars consume more fuel when they go from stopping to travelling at a high speed immediately or vice versa. When you drive, try not to slam on the brakes at the last second or hit the gas hard as you take off from a stop light or sign to save on gas,” the article notes, again quoting Di Felice.

Using cruise control (if you have it) is a way to “boost savings because you are avoiding fluctuations that hurt your fuel efficiency,” the article continues.

You also should avoid “over-idling,” as most vehicles are ready to go within 15 to 30 seconds of starting up, the article adds.

Keep a sharp eye on gas prices – there are apps and websites available that can alert you to outlets offering the best prices, the article adds.

The team at Kiplinger, by way of MSN, offer up a few more ideas.

Watch your speed, the article tells us.

“No list of gas-saving tips would be complete without the admonition to slow down. There’s no getting around the fact that lower speeds require less fuel, mostly because aerodynamic resistance increases with the square of speed,” the article states.

Joining in on the idea of reducing your vehicle’s weight, the article suggests that if your vehicle comes with a third row of seats that you seldom use, consider taking those seats out and leaving them in the garage until needed.

The article also chimes in on the idea of reducing your use of brakes and the gas pedal.

“Look down the road farther, and coast down by lifting your foot off the accelerator when you know that traffic signal’s going to change to red. You might actually find it rewarding. Bonus: You’ll be a safer driver, too, which could help with those insurance costs,” the article adds.

Let’s throw in a couple more ideas that have worked out in the past.

Consider carpooling. If you and a neighbour, friend or family member both work in the same part of town, you’ll save a lot on gas by riding together to the office. Parking one vehicle will be cheaper than parking several.

If there’s public transit in your area, jump on more often to save on gas.

It’s also never a bad idea to walk, or bike, to do some of your errands closer to home.

The money you save from any or all of these ideas might allow you to put away some loonies for retirement.

That’s where the Saskatchewan Pension Plan may be of interest. If you don’t have any sort of retirement savings program through work, then the SPP may be just the ticket. SPP is open to any with available registered retirement savings plan room.

You decide how much you want to contribute – any amount up to your RRSP limit – and SPP does the heavy lifting, investing your hard-saved dollars in our low-cost, professionally managed pooled fund.

At retirement, your options include the possibility of a lifetime monthly annuity payment, or the more flexible Variable Benefit.

Check out SPP today!

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CTV, MoneySense, MSN

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