8 Smart Ways to Pay Less for Gas

Here are 8 great ways to save money on gas whether you cover a lot of ground for work or are gearing up for a fun summer road trip:

Tip #1: Buy discounted gas gift cards from various vendors at sites like PlasticJungle.com and GiftCards.com.

Tip #2: Buy gas in the morning or at night when it's cooler so less evaporates from your tank.

Tip #3: Don't idle for more than a minute because that wastes more gas than restarting the engine.

Tip #4: Fill up during the middle of the week because gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel.

Tip #5: Lighten your load--every extra 250 pounds of weight in your vehicle burns an extra mile per gallon of gas.

Tip #6: Download an app for your smart phone that makes it easy to find the cheapest gas prices like GasBuddy or CheapGas!

Tip #7: Ask a mechanic about the lowest octane gas recommended for your vehicle--the manual may recommend high octane even though it's not necessary.

Tip #8: Drive with your windows closed on the highway (to save as much as 10%) and open the windows and turn off the air conditioning in stop-and-go traffic.

These tips were inspired by energy expert, Chris Faulker, CEO Breitling Oil & Gas.