Easy Tips to Increase Your Car's Gas Mileage

You must have seen it. That sign at the gas pump that quoted the price of Regular and Premium gas as an Arm and a Leg. The truth is the price of regular gas has gone through the roof during the last few years and doesn't seem to be showing any signs of dropping below the $2.00 mark ever again. In fact it will more and likely just keep going up and up.

So what can you do to get the best gas mileage out of your car now? Believe it or not there are quite a number to things that you can do to improve your fuel economy. Some of them you may already know and others you may find new. However you look at it we all need to find ways to stretch our fuel dollars as far as we can. The following tips will not reduce the your cost at the pump but they will reduce the number of times you need to stop at the pump.

Drive less by carpooling. A good car pool with like minded people will save you a lot at the gas pump by sharing the cost at the same time it will save you on car expenses because you won't be driving as much.

Shop by phone. Have you ever gone to the store for something just to get there and find out that what you wanted they didn't have? If you take a few minutes to call around you will not only save gas you will be able to find the best price for what you are looking for.

Shop online. The Internet is an incredible tool to find hard to find items that could take you all day of driving around town looking for. Not only will you enlarge your options in terms of models and quality you will not even have to spend a dime on gas.

If you live in a big city where there are frequent traffic problems, try and plan your dive time during non-high traffic times. If you can avoid the hottest time of day to drive, this is the time your car is least efficient.

Use the mass transit system whenever you can. Or ride a bike or even walk if the distances allow.

Plan several errands for the same time and you'll only take one trip into town.

Don't sit in your car with it idling. By turning your car off while waiting for the kids at the school, the drive through at the bank or waiting in line at that MickyD's you can save plenty over time. Remember an idling car get zero gas mileage.

Use your cruise control on long trips as long as traffic conditions allow. Always make sure you have overdrive turned on for these trips.

Accelerate slow and evenly while coming from a stop. Quick acceleration greatly decreases fuel economy.

Turn that AC off whenever possible. The AC unit in your car will decrease the gas mileage and increase gas usage in your car. So if at all possible turn off that AC and roll down the windows instead.

Work at home if your job allows even if it is only one or two days a week. Every day you don't drive to work is savings to you.

Follow a regular tune up schedule. Replace your spark plugs, change oil and change your oil and air filters as recommended by the vehicle owner's manual..

Check the air pressure on your tires regularly and keep them inflated to the tires recommended pressure. A properly inflated tire will ensure you are getting the best traction from the tire to road.

Take care of any service lights that comes up in your car right away. This could save you lots on repair and may indicate an item that could effect your fuel consumption.

If you feel your car pulling to one side or another you may have an alignment problem. Have any alignment issues fixed as quickly as possible. An out of aligned front end can't significantly decrease your cars gas mileage.

Because gas evaporates it is always a good idea to fill up when it's cooler out than it is when it's hot. And always ensure you put the gas cap back on securely, as this will also decrease evaporation out of your tank.

And of course slow down. Slower speeds use less gas.

So there you have a handful or more tips that if used together can save you plenty. What would you like to do with all that money you have just saved at the pump? I don't know about you but it feels good to give as little of my hard-earned money to buy gas as I possibly can. What's that saying? AH...Yes, A Penny saved is a penny earned.