2. Waiting until the last minute to fuel up
Thirty-seven percent of consumers said they wait to fuel up once their gas tank is only one-quarter full, and another 28% wait for the gas warning light to come on to trigger a purchase. Meanwhile, 35% report having run out of gasoline in their delay of a purchase.
“If you’re waiting until the last second to get gas, there’s a big chance you’re going to panic and pull into the first station you see without checking a price and risk filling up at an expensive station,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for Boston-based GasBuddy. This habit can cost urban drivers the most: GasBuddy research has found that shopping around for the lowest price could save more than $60 per month in fuel costs.