10 Myths About Saving Money on Gasoline

6. Up your octane: A higher grade of gas is not necessarily better for your car. Some higher-performance car engines need a higher octane level, which refers simply to how much the fuel can be compressed before it ignites. It's a myth that higher-octane fuel burns hotter and cleaner, and it will not improve an ordinary car's gas mileage. Your driver's manual will list the recommended level of octane, which will usually be the lowest.

7. Gas rebate cards save money: This is one of those areas where you need to be very careful. On the face of things, getting a 3% to 5% rebate each time you purchase gas looks like a no-brainer, but this is not always the case. If you don't pay off the card in full each month, any savings on gas will immediately be taken away with interest charges. Some gas cards may come with yearly fees that can negate any savings. There also may be less expensive gas in your area that doesn't allow a credit card to be used. Run the numbers before assuming that a gas credit card will save money.

8. Buy a fuel-efficient car: Many people believe that the best way to save gas is to purchase a fuel efficient car. While this will help, the truth is that the best way to save money on gas is to change your driving habits. Making basic changes to your driving habits will save you a lot more money than changing to a fuel efficient car without changing your habits. Getting a fuel efficient car on top of changing your habits will be even a bigger bonus.