Tips on how to $ave money at the gas pump

Jet, Oct 3, 2005

There's no denying that gas prices have been on the rise at a steady rate. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in some cities the retail price for regular octane gasoline has reached a high well over $3 a gallon!

To save on cash, try to not drive your car at all! Use an alternate form of transportation such as the bus or a train. But if you must use your vehicle, get the best mileage out of your gas purchases by heeding the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

Stay within posted speed limits

Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds driven above 60 miles per hour.

Avoid unnecessary idling

It wastes fuel, costs you money and pollutes the air. Plus, the engine warms up faster as it's driven. If you anticipate a wait, turn off the engine.

Stop driving aggressively

You can improve gas mileage while driving around town by up to 5 percent if you avoid "jackrabbit" starts and stops--anticipate traffic conditions and drive calmly.

Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate

These functions improve the fuel economy of your car when you're driving on a highway.

Combine errands

Several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one trip covering the same distance on a warm engine.

Remove excess from the trunk

An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car's fuel economy by up to 2 percent.

Stay tuned-up

Tuning your car's engine in accord with your owner's manual can increase gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Increases may vary depending on the car's condition.

Check the tires

Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned can increase gas mileage up to 3 percent.

Choose the proper octane level

Check your owner's manual for the most effective octane level for your car. For most cars regular octane is recommended. Unless your engine is knocking, buying a higher octane gasoline is a waste of money. And in times like these, why would anyone want to do that?