Gas is Cheaper but You Still Want Better Gas Mileage

The price of gas is slowly coming down to a more affordable price, however, that doesn't mean you want to burn away all the money you are saving. Besides, we all know that gas prices will eventually get higher and getting in the habit of saving gas now will help you when prices go back up.

Here are some of the best tips to achieving better fuel economy in your car without having to buy a fuel efficient car. These tips will work for older model cars and newer model cars. That means you don't have to buy a new car to get better gas mileage!

One of the best ways to improve fuel economy is to keep your car maintained. A dirty air filter can potentially reduce your miles per gallon by 20%. Keep your tires inflated to manufacturer's specifications, get your oil changed frequently, and of course change your air filter as needed to save more gas.

Have you ever been running late to work in the morning and found traffic was minimal? I am not suggesting going to work late every morning, but, changing your departure times can help you avoid all of the accelerating and braking in the morning. Leave for work earlier in the morning to avoid traffic jams, and, if possible, leave work a little later than normal to avoid the 5 o'clock traffic jams. A smoother uninterrupted drive home will improve your gas mileage.

Make sure your not carrying around a lot of excess baggage in your car. If you have a lot of weight in your car that doesn't have to be there, take it out and put it in the garage. Do not carry extra weight in your car if you don't have to. I drove around for almost 2 weeks with 5 garbage bags full of clothes I was supposed to donate to Good Will. I had forgotten about them and was driving around with probably a hundred extra pounds in my trunk. I hate to think of what that did to my fuel economy.

Use your cruise control. When I started using my cruise control at every opportunity is when I realized how much gas I could save. Even if you think you have the steadiest foot, it is still no match for cruise control.

Stop idling as much as possible. Turn off your car if you know you are going to be stuck in traffic due to a wreck or you are stopped by a train or some other event that you know you are going to be sitting for more than 5 minutes. Although you aren't accelerating while your engine is on and your car is in park, your engine is still having to work which is slowly but surely burning gas.

Make sure your gas cap is on tightly. An improperly sealed gas cap will allow your gas to evaporate.

Nevermind the myth that topping off your tank means you are getting more gas. You aren't. That gas is mostly wasted so you aren't saving anything. I can't tell you the best tips to saving gas without saying the inevitable.

Stop driving so much. Walk, ride a bike, or carpool. That is not always possible, but, that is the absolute BEST way to save on gas.