With seemingly everybody offering up money-saving gas tips these days, you're forgiven if the advice tends to leak out like gas from an overflowing stuck gas pump.

But, no worries, it's easy to fill 'er up again. After all, many of the most basic ways to save money at the pump probably wouldn't shock or surprise anyone.

If you have a driver's license, it's a safe bet that somewhere along the way you heard all of these tips, either from your parents, driving instructor or friends. Think of these tips gathered here as helpful reminders, kind of like that automatic cutoff stopping the more forgetful of us from spraying fuel all over the gas station parking lot.

These money-saving suggestions are not just for motorheads who spend more time under the hood of their car than under its roof. Even if you don't know your timing belt from your distributor cap, you'll have no trouble keeping up.

Do you really need premium?

No. 5: Don't pay for premium

Premium fuel is usually the most expensive fuel offered at gas stations. To many of you -- especially you penny pinchers out there, you know who you are -- this tip might seem like the biggest no-brainer since the automatic transmission.

The point here is to avoid getting fooled into believing that premium gas will make your vehicle run better than the less pricey options. Just because it's expensive doesn't automatically make it superior.

Dig your owner's manual out from underneath all of the clutter in your glove compartment and find out what grade of fuel the manufacturer recommends. The majority of vehicles are built to function just fine on regular, even those that say they require premium.

As long as your vehicle runs smoothly, without engine knocks or pings, chances are good that your fuel grade is fine.

Are you stuck in neutral?

No. 4: Idling wastes gas

It pays (literally) to remember that whenever your car's engine is running, it's burning precious gasoline.

It doesn't care if you're blazing down the freeway or parked at the Try 'N Save. In both of these scenarios, your gas tank is emptying itself. You can almost see the money floating away with the exhaust smoke.

Those of you who live where it gets fatally cold in the winter months might be prone to firing up the car and running back inside for another cup of hot coffee while the engine warms up. While this seems like a good idea on the surface, it might end up costing you a bundle in the long run.

For example, a V8 engine typically burns through an eighth of a gallon of fuel idling for just 10 minutes.

How's your timing?

No. 3: Buy at the right time

One of the bizarre facets of life in these United States is the seemingly random way gas prices can fluctuate, even in just a single day.

The formula gas stations use for setting their fuel prices is so convoluted that it would make Stephen Hawking's head spin. Thankfully there are some valuable and easy-to-understand hints to help.

Along with tempers, gas prices tend to rise during rush hour. So, it is generally best to fill up your gas tank in the dark, meaning at night or in the early morning hours. Not only is the sun down during these times, but the number of cars on the road is also down.

Another bargain bin solution is to fill up Wednesday because the cost of fuel often goes up over the weekend.