Gas Prices Got You Sweatin’? Here’s How to Keep More Cash in Your Tank

A Rock’s Tire & Auto Guide to Beating the Pump in South Louisiana

Let’s face it — every time gas prices creep up, most of us start questioning every trip: “Do I really need to go to Rouses today?” Whether you drive a big ol’ truck, a soccer van, or a zippy little commuter car, filling up at the gas station can feel like handing over your paycheck one gallon at a time.

But here’s the good news: you’ve got more control over your fuel costs than you think. From the time of day you fill up to how you maintain your vehicle, small choices can add up to real savings.

Here’s our Rock’s Tire & Auto breakdown of practical, easy ways to stretch every drop — with a little South Louisiana flair, of course.

⏰ 1. Time It Right: Best Time of Day to Get Gas

Believe it or not, when you buy gas can make a difference. Gasoline is denser in cooler temperatures, which means early morning or late evening is the best time to fill up.

In the heat of the day — especially that sticky Louisiana afternoon heat — fuel expands slightly. Since you’re paying by volume (not weight), you might end up getting slightly less energy for your money if you’re pumping hot fuel.

Pro Tip: Aim for before 10 AM or after 6 PM, when the ground storage tanks at gas stations are cooler.

📅 2. Choose the Right Day: Best Day of the Week to Fill Up

Studies (and plenty of customer habits) show that Monday or Tuesday are typically the best days to buy gas. Prices often spike as the weekend approaches, especially in areas with lots of weekend travel or tourism — which definitely includes South Louisiana during crawfish season, LSU games, and festival weekends.

Avoid Thursday through Saturday if you can help it — that’s when gas prices tend to climb.

🛞 3. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

We can’t stress this one enough. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which means your engine has to work harder… and drink more gas.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3% just by keeping your tires properly inflated. Doesn’t sound like much? That’s about 10 extra miles per tank for some vehicles. Over the year, that adds up.

Need help? Stop by Rock’s Tire & Auto — we’ll check your tire pressure and top you off for free.

🚦 4. Drive Like You’ve Got a King Cake in the Back Seat

Aggressive driving — rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and speeding — can lower your gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% in town. That’s a lot of wasted fuel.

Take it easy. Smooth acceleration and steady speeds go a long way in saving fuel (and making your ride more pleasant).

Rock’s Rule of the Road: Pretend you’ve got a hot bowl of gumbo in the back. If it’s sloshing, you’re wasting gas.

🧰 5. Keep Up With Maintenance

A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and burns fuel more cleanly. Things like:

• Dirty air filters can reduce fuel economy by 10% or more

• Worn spark plugs cause misfires and poor combustion

• Old motor oil increases friction and makes the engine work harder

Getting regular oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections isn’t just good for your car — it’s good for your wallet.

At Rock’s Tire & Auto, we offer a comprehensive Vehicle Health Check every 6 months to help you catch small problems before they cost you big at the pump.

🅿️ 6. Don’t Let Your Car Idle Too Long

If you're parked and waiting more than 60 seconds, it’s better to turn off your engine. Idling burns gas (about ½ gallon per hour, depending on your engine size) and produces unnecessary emissions.

We’re not saying to cut it off at every red light — just skip the 10-minute idle in the driveway or while waiting for your kid’s band practice to finish.

🛣️ 7. Combine Errands and Plan Your Route

Quick tip: multiple short trips from a cold start use twice as much fuel as a longer trip with a warm engine.

Try to combine errands into one loop instead of several separate trips. Bonus: less traffic stress and more time for boudin and beignets.

⛽ 8. Use Gas Apps or Loyalty Programs

Apps like GasBuddy, Upside, and Waze can help you find the cheapest gas near you in real time. Some even offer cash-back or rewards for filling up at specific locations.

Most big-name gas stations (like Shell, Chevron, etc.) have loyalty programs that can knock 5–10 cents off per gallon. That adds up over time — especially for folks driving longer distances.

🚗 9. Lighten the Load

Every 100 extra pounds in your vehicle reduces fuel efficiency by about 1–2%. If your trunk looks like a mobile storage unit — full of tools, sports gear, or that beach umbrella you forgot to unload in May — it’s costing you at the pump.

Clean out the clutter and keep only what you need. Your car (and your wallet) will thank you.

🧊 10. Use the A/C Wisely

We know, we know — South Louisiana without A/C? That’s a crime.

But hear us out: at lower speeds (like in-town driving), rolling down the windows uses less fuel than cranking the air. On the highway, however, the opposite is true — windows down increase drag, so A/C is more efficient.

Moral of the story? Use the A/C when you need it, but if you're cruising backroads at 30 mph, crack the windows and let that bayou breeze do the work.

🚘 11. Don’t Overfill the Tank

When the pump clicks off — stop. “Topping off” wastes money by sending gas vapors into the air or the station’s vapor recovery system (which you don’t benefit from). You also risk overflow, which isn’t great for your paint or the environment.

⚙️ 12. Consider a Fuel System Cleaning

If you’ve got over 60,000 miles on your vehicle, deposits may be building up in your fuel injectors or intake valves, reducing efficiency.

A professional fuel system cleaning can help restore performance, improve fuel economy, and even make your car feel peppier.

Ask us at Rock’s — we’ll let you know if it’s time.

🏁 Final Thoughts: A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

You don’t have to buy a hybrid or swear off boudin runs to start saving at the pump. Just being a little more intentional — and keeping your vehicle in good shape — can help you stretch your dollars further.

And if you’re ever in doubt, bring your vehicle by Rock’s Tire & Auto in Covington. Whether it’s a tune-up, a tire check, or just a quick look under the hood, we’ll help keep your ride running smooth and fuel-efficient — no magic required.

Need help with any of these tips? We’ve got you covered.📍 Come see us at Rock’s Tire & Auto, where we keep South Louisiana rolling (without draining your wallet).📞 Call today to schedule a fuel-saving checkup!

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