TYLER, Texas — Nestled on the corner of Donnybrook and Troup in Tyler, you’ll find Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive.
What started as a gas station in 1938, now doubles as a mechanic shop. If owner Gary Stewart knows anything, it’s cars and how to use gas efficiently.
A viral social media post claims various hacks at the pump will save people money.
Stewart broke them down one by one.
Only fill up your car in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold because gas expands when heated.
“That’s a myth," Stewart said. "Gasoline expands and contracts like any other liquid. As deep in the ground as these tanks are, the outside temperature doesn’t affect what’s in the ground.”
Use the slowest trigger function on the pump so your gas pumps slowly and introduces less vapors into your tank.
"Absolutely a myth. As a matter of fact, you should pump fuel on the fastest speed for it if you’re going to lock the handle because only the highest pressure will kick the handle off. That minimizes the chances of having the gasoline spillage out the tank," said Stewart.
Fill up when your tank is half full.
The shop owner said this one is a good idea, but not because it makes the gas you already have stretch further.
"It’s less of an expense each time and it helps preserve the life of your fuel pump," Stewart explained. "That is absolutely the only reason why you would do that.”
The changes that make the biggest difference are smaller than you may have thought.
When driving, accelerate and break slowly. Stewart offered an example.
“You’re sitting at a red light and the light turns green. When the guy beside you floorboards his car and takes off like a little hot rod and makes a bunch of racket, he just burned about 4x as much gas as you did taking off at that same red light," Stewart said.
He said to pair this with some properly inflated tires and a nicely tuned engine and your tank will pay you in fuel efficiency.