When you join Costco, you don’t just get perks like cheap groceries and household goods, you get access to a world of benefits, from travel services to electronics with free tech support and extended warranties.

But your Costco shopping strategy shouldn’t be as simple as walking into the store, packing up the trunk, and leaving. You should fill up your car with gas before or after your Costco visit. Here’s why.

1. The prices are great

Costco’s gas prices are extremely competitive. And while the big-box store giant doesn’t have an exact formula for setting gas prices to compete with nearby stores, many drivers can save as much as $0.20 per gallon. If your car has a 14-gallon gas tank and you fill up once a week over the course of a year, that’s a savings of $140.

You should know that Executive Members at Costco do not receive 2% cash back at the store’s gas stations. However, you can earn cash back when you fill up by choosing a credit card with additional gas rewards.

2. The gas itself is of high quality

You may think that just because Costco’s gas is so cheap, it’s not the best. But that’s not true. Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ rated, meaning it does a better job of protecting engines from carbon buildup and deposits that cause wear and reduced fuel efficiency.

We just learned that you can save up to $0.20 per gallon when filling up at Costco. But you could save even more if you drive more miles per gallon (though of course, that depends on driving conditions and your driving habits).

3. You can inflate your tires with free air when you get out

Have you ever gotten into your car on a cold morning and seen the tire pressure light come on? Tire pressure that’s too low can result in lower fuel efficiency and force you to use more gas than necessary, so it’s generally a good idea to pull over to a gas station and pump some air into your tires when the warning light comes on.

However, at a regular gas station, you may have to pay for air, which is annoying. But that’s not the case at Costco. Costco has free air pumps in the parking lot, so when you go to fill up, you can get as much air as your tires need for free.

All in all, it’s worth it to fill up your car at Costco when it’s cheap. That’s not to say you should drive 20 miles out of your way to get to a Costco station, because what you might save on gas you might spend on the extra distance.

But if you happen to be heading to Costco to stock up on supplies, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes before or after your shopping to fill up the tank. And if you’re buying perishable food, fill up sooner, since you might want to rush home afterward.

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