When it comes to most passenger cars, spending extra money on high-octane gas is a waste of money. Higher octane levels only benefit high performance vehicles which require a certain type of fuel and unless your car’s owner’s manual specifically calls for a higher octane gasoline, there’s no need to purchase it.

However, this doesn’t mean that the quality of gasoline doesn’t matter. When you go to fill up your car, it’s important that you go to a reputable gas station that is known for having high quality gasoline. Unfiltered gasoline can add sediments and other particles to your gasoline which can hurt your car’s performance or even cause damage.

If you’re unsure, ask the gas station attendant if their gasoline is filtered at the pump and how frequently the pump filter is changed. If you aren’t happy with the answer you receive, it’s a good idea to move onto another station.

With the high cost of gas today, people are always looking for ways to save money on their fuel costs. Buying a hybrid or electric car is a great way to save on gas but even if you have an SUV there are some basic steps that you can take to save money on gas:

Use lower-octane gas: Using a higher-octane gasoline is only necessary if you drive a sports car, luxury vehicle or other car where a higher octane is specifically called for in the owner’s manual. For the vast majority of passenger vehicles, putting in the higher grade of gas is useless since there will be no increase in performance.

Park in the shade: Not only does parking your car in the sun during the summer months make your car uncomfortable but it also can cost you gas. Excess heat can cause your gas to evaporate from your tank. Parking in shaded areas can eliminate this problem (while also making your car cooler to drive).

Inflate your tires: Driving on underinflated tires makes your engine have to work harder in order to pull the car. Having your tires properly inflated can help improve your fuel efficiency by up to 15 percent.