Gas Station Myths That Are Costing You Money
Premium vs. regular, topping off, running on empty — plus the one fuel switch that saves you real money at the pump. What actually helps your car and what just wastes cash.
The gas station is where a lot of well-meaning car myths quietly drain your wallet. Let's clear up the biggest ones — and then I'll let you in on a simple switch that puts money back in your pocket every time you fill up.
Myth 1: Premium gas is better for my car. Not unless your car was built for it. Premium fuel isn't "higher quality" — it's formulated for high-performance engines that specifically require it. If your owner's manual or fuel door says regular, putting in premium does absolutely nothing except cost you more. It won't add power, clean your engine, or make it run better. Use the grade your car actually calls for. (If your manual says premium required, though — that's not the place to cut corners.)
Myth 2: I should top off the tank after the pump clicks. Please don't. That click means your tank is full. Squeezing in extra fuel can force liquid gasoline into your car's emissions system — specifically the EVAP charcoal canister, which is designed to handle fuel vapors, not liquid. The result? A damaged component and, often, a check-engine light. Stop at the click.
Myth 3: I can run my tank down to empty, no big deal. This one actually does damage over time. Your fuel pump uses the gasoline in your tank to keep itself cool and lubricated. Constantly running on fumes makes the pump work harder and run hotter, which can shorten its life and lead to an expensive replacement. Try to keep at least a quarter tank at all times.
Now Here's How to Actually Save Money: Meet E15
Breaking myths keeps money in your pocket. But here's a move that adds savings every single fill-up — and most women have never even heard of it.
It's called E15, and it's a cleaner-burning fuel made of 15% ethanol (a renewable biofuel made mostly from corn) and 85% gasoline. Most of the gas we pump today is E10 — just 10% ethanol.
That extra 5% might sound tiny, but it makes a real difference for your wallet and the planet. E15 has been on the market for over a decade, and drivers have already logged more than 126 billion miles on it.
So why should a SheCANic care about which pump she chooses?
It saves you money. On average, E15 costs at least 25 cents less per gallon than regular gasoline. If you fill up often, that adds up fast over a year.
It's better for the environment. Compared to gasoline, ethanol cuts the emissions that drive air pollution and greenhouse gases by 40–50%.
It supports American farmers. Ethanol is made from renewable, homegrown sources like corn — so choosing E15 helps fuel our economy right here at home.
Can your car use it? Almost certainly yes. E15 is approved for all 2001 and newer vehicles and all flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) — that's more than 95% of the cars on the road today. No upgrades, no new technology, no catch. Just a smarter, cheaper choice at the pump.
Where do you find it? More stations are carrying E15 every day. Use the locator map at e15prices.com to find E15 and E85 near you (select "Show E15" and zoom into your area). Next time you fuel up, check whether your station offers it — and if it doesn't yet, keep an eye out, because it's spreading fast.
Going green with your car doesn't have to mean dropping thousands on a new EV. Sometimes it's as simple as choosing a different pump. Small changes, big benefits — for your wallet and the planet. Every mile counts.
For more tips like these, grab a copy of the Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide.
💚 A Big Thank-You to Our Platinum Sponsor
We're proud to announce that the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is the Platinum Sponsor of the SheCANic Foundation — three years running!
RFA is the principal national trade association for America's ethanol industry, working to drive growth in sustainable, renewable fuels and bioproducts through advocacy, research, outreach, and education. As a leading voice for clean, renewable fuel, RFA is committed to supporting workforce development and education in the automotive world — a mission that lines up perfectly with ours: to educate and empower women through their cars. With RFA in our corner for a third straight year, we're able to reach and uplift even more SheCANics.
To learn more about ethanol and blends like E15 and E85, visit ethanolrfa.org.
This post is proudly sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association.