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Avoid Evaporating Gas: Park in the Shade and Buy Gas When it's Cool

In the hottest months of the year your gas can disappear even if you're not driving.

Sara Novak

By Sara Novak
Columbia, SC, USA | Sun Jun 28, 2009 06:00 AM ET

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In the summer time even if you try your darndest to be frugal behind the wheel you might be losing more in gas than you ever could have imagined. Seriously, when it's hot outside, gas evaporates from our gas tanks and into the atmosphere which is bad for the planet and our wallets. It's all about keeping it cool to keep the fuel. So cheesy, but totally true.


Park in the Shade


According to the Daily Green, during hot months, try to park your vehicle in a shady parking spot in order to decrease the amount of fuel lost to evaporation and use less air-conditioning when you get back in. "Gasoline evaporates rapidly, and even escapes from closed tanks. The process is sped up by high temperatures. Keeping your vehicle cooler means you'll run your air conditioner less, resulting in a substantial savings in fuel. You'll be less likely to damage car contents from extreme heat, meaning you'll have fewer items to replace."


Buy Gas in the Morning or Later in the Evening


Gas expands when it's hot outside so if you buy gas in the morning when it's cooler you get more. But even more importantly you cut down on gas emissions, which pollutes the air we breath and contribute to global warming, simply by avoiding buying gas during the heat of the day. Heat increases evaporation. In fact the gasoline smell when you drive into a station is actually the smell of gas emissions escaping from your tank, the other cars' tanks, and the pumps as everyone fills up. So breathe easier and fill up either early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler.

More on Driving:
Tested: 6 Presumed Gas Mileage Savers
Get Better Gas Mileage When You Drive
Fuel Myths Quiz

 
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