Now that gas costs so much and prices continue to rise, we thought your readers would appreciate these tips to make their gasoline purchases (and their vehicles) go further. — The Harveys, Virginia service station owners

Thanks so much for your tips, guys. Even though I’ve paraphrased your list a bit, it’s still a wonderful resource for all drivers (and includes some information of which probably only mechanics know). We all appreciate the thought, as do our wallets!

It’s best to buy or fill up your vehicle in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. All service stations’ storage tanks are buried below ground so the colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline. Of course, gasoline expands when it gets warmer, so if we buy in the afternoon or in the evening, our gallon is not exactly a gallon.

When you’re filling up, don’t squeeze the nozzle’s trigger to a fast mode. Some nozzles contain two, three, or even no stages right below the trigger. In slow mode, pump on low speed; this really minimizes the vapors created while you are pumping. (All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.) If you pump on the fast rate, other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. These vapors are sucked up and back into the underground storage tank. Unfortunately, when this occurs, you’re getting less value for your money and, Lord knows, we need every penny’s punch with today’s prices.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is half empty. The more gas in one’s tank, the less the air that occupies its empty space. (Gasoline evaporates faster than any of us can imagine.) Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof that serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere; therefore, it minimizes the evaporation. So, for this reason, be careful not to allow your tank to get too empty. (Also, the tank needs to be filled in the event we encounter an emergency situation — something along the lines of an early baby’s arrival or — even more serious — Hurricane Katrina!)

Another reminder: if you see a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, absolutely unequivocally do NOT fill up your tank at that time. More than likely, the gasoline is being stirred up while the gas is being delivered, and chances are you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom of the station’s underground storage tank. Better to let that dirt and debris stabilize before it makes contact with your gas tank.

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