LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As Arkansas moves past a recent bitter blast of winter, many of breathing a sigh of relief now that we're above the freezing mark again.
However, some claims online suggest that the cold has its advantages and can even save you money at the gas pump.
Just as Arkansans have enjoyed the break from winter's fury, so do our cars. Ice, snow, and chemical treatments on the road can do a number on our vehicles over time.
One money-saving tip making rounds on social media claims you can get more gas for your money by filling your tank in the early morning hours.
The idea is based on physics and how gas expands when it gets warmer. But can you really save cash by stopping by the pump during the coldest part of the day?
Gasoline becomes denser when it's colder— so in theory, your tank would allow more fuel to get in before it reaches the top.
Patrick de Haan of Gas Buddy confirmed that while accurate enough, in reality, the difference in time of day is minuscule because of how gas stations store the fuel.
"A lot of stations temperature correct on both sides, meaning when the temperature is above or below a certain threshold, the pumps are calibrated to take into consideration the temperature differentials," he explained. "By the way, we're talking about basically the equivalent of very small drips. This isn't going to be a noticeable thing.
Consumer reports even conducted an experiment to test out the temperature theory, which revealed that a 15-degree difference in air temperature between fill-ups caused only a 1% difference in gas volume.
So we can verify that no, filling up your gas tank during the coldest time of day won't save you enough money to make it worth your time.
According to AAA, your best bet on saving money at the gas station is by using fuel rewards points— at least those trips you take to the pump will be worth something!