How to Save on Gas Without Buying a Hybrid

You don't need to buy a hybrid vehicle to save on gas. There are many ways that you can save regardless of the vehicle you drive.

The harder your engine works, the more fuel you are using. Change your driving habits, prevent drag (the resistance of wind against your vehicle) and maintain the "health" of your engine.

For optimal fuel mileage, drive between 50 - 55 mph. On highways, driving at 55 mph versus 75 mph can improve fuel mileage as much as 25%.

Be aware of traffic so you can anticipate stops. If you slow down by letting your foot off the gas and gently apply the brake, you will conserve more gas than if you jam on the brakes. When accelerating, ease onto the gas pedal. Just as braking does, "jack-rabbit" starts put more strain on your engine.

If you are going to be idle (the car is running but is stopped) for longer than a minute, turn your car off. One minute of being idle consumes approximately as much gas as starting your car. If you must be idle, put your car in neutral or park.

Remove ice and frost from the windshield with a scraper rather than letting it thaw with defrost. Experts agree that 30 - 45 seconds of letting your engine warm-up is fine. Avoid using air conditioning as much as possible.

The alternative to air conditioning is open windows. Unfortunately, this creates drag and reduces gas mileage. You might want to try using your air conditioning when you're traveling at higher speeds and open windows when you are driving at lower speeds.

Excess weight creates drag. Remove all unnecessary items from your vehicle. Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle and keep it clean. If you do not use your luggage rack, remove it.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. They rotate as more easily and your engine will not have to work as hard. For every 3 pounds below the recommended pressure, fuel economy goes down 1%. Check your tires' air pressure once a month and do so when tires are cold, as the pressure is increased in warm tires and will cause a false reading.

Maintain your vehicle. Make sure the engine is tuned up and the air filter is clean. A dirty air filter restricts air flow to the engine which decreases fuel economy. Keep wheels and brakes aligned, as this will prevent the engine from working as hard.

Fill up at the coolest time of day, when gasoline is densest. Gas pumps charge per volume, not concentration. When it comes to the octane of gas you use, buy the cheapest, unless the manufacturer recommends a certain octane. There's no benefit to your mileage buy buying a higher octane.

Using these tactics together will save you money on fuel costs. The most important thing to remember is to be kind to your engine. The harder it has to work, the more you'll pay in fuel.