Gas Prices Are Climbing: Get the Most Out of Your Car

With the high prices of gas going up and up everyday, a person has to learn how to get the most out of a tank of gas. In Birmingham, Alabama, one-day gas was $2.67 and with in a blink of an eye it changed to $2.77. If you live in New York, you are now paying over $3.00 a gallon. So what is a person to do!

These 10 fuel saving tips will serve you, they can help improve your car's fuel economy and take some of the stink out of the fuel pump. If you use several of these together, like I have, you will see an improvement in your gas mileage.

1. Check your Air Filter
The key to good fuel economy is a clean air filter. If your air filter is clogged it restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Your air filter is easy to check and change, remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. Can you see any light coming through? If not, you need a new one.

2. Spark Plugs and Fuel Injectors
Changing the spark plugs on a regular basis such as, ever 30,000 miles, along with replacing the fuel filter will help keep your engine running smoothly. A well-tuned, smooth running engine will perform more effetely. In addition, having the fuel injectors cleaned (induction cleaning) will also improve performance and economy.

3. Tire Pressure
One on the most common ignored causes of crummy miles per gallon is an under-inflated tire. Buy a reliable tire gauge, check your tires when they are cold, and keep them properly inflated. Use the inflation pressure shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's doorjamb.

4. Watch your speed
Fuel economy decreases as your speed increases. If you are one of the "ten-over on the freeway" sets, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You will save a lot of fuel and it won't take you much longer to get where you are going.

5. Rolling with the Big Rigs
Have you ever noticed how, in a bad traffic jam, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant speed also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving. Rolling with the big rigs saves fuel!

6. Acceleration
A jackrabbit start is an obvious fuel-waster, but you don't have to crawl away from a light. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gear. Stick shifts should shift early to keep the revs down. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.

7. Getting back to nature
Shut off the air conditioner, open the windows and enjoy the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you'll save fuel.

8. Clean out your car
Did you know that the more weight your car has, the more gas it need to do the work! If you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness, then periodically go through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't take much to acquire extra 40 to 50 lbs. of stuff.

9. In with the Old
If you have an old car around, it can be a good insurance against temporary spikes in gas prices. The cost of keeping the car may or may not be less then the fuel saved, but it does allow for more predictability in your budget. Old beaters don't look like much, but it may get 10 miles further on a gallon of gas than your regular car.

10. Don't Drive
The fact is that if you can avoid driving, you'll save gas. You can carpool, consolidate your shopping trips; walk or even biking is good for your wallet and your health. You can always ask yourself "Is this trip really necessary?"

It has also been said that burning higher-octane fuel (premium) will increase MPG. You would just have to see if your car goes enough extra miles on a tank full to justify the higher cost of the fuel. Regardless of the fuel savings, using higher-octane fuels help keep your engine cleaner longer.