Top 10 Ways to Save Fuel

While the season of high gas prices might be over, you never know when those prices will skyrocket again, which is why you should start practicing fuel-saving ways, so that when gas does reach the $4-dollar mark again, your wallet won't suffer.

Whether you drive a hybrid or gas-guzzling SUV, chances are you can still squeeze a bit more distance out of each gallon of gas. Even two to three more MPGs can make a big difference. Here is a list of 10 fuel saving tips that have helped others over the years and it can also help you improve your car's fuel economy. While most of these tips will give you a slight increase in MPG, when using them all together, you can see a dramatic increase in fuel improvement, which is always a good thing.

1. Slow Down

Let's face it: we all have a heavy foot at times. The speed racer inside of all of us likes to take over every now and then, but one of the best ways to save gas is to simply reduce your speed. We all want to get to where we are going faster, but in the end, don't we end up there? As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. Try driving the actual speed limit for a couple of days and you will definitely see a difference in how long your gas lasts. Instead of filling up every week, your gas might last you for a week and a half. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer if you take a slower pace. Try it, it might also get you out of a ticket!

2. Check your tire pressure

You might not think it really makes a difference, but your tires play a big and important part in good gas mileage. Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy MPG. Tires lose air due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree drop); under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. One way to make sure your tires pressure is always good is to buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. A good tip is to make sure to check them when they are cold, since driving warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increase pressure and gives a false reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's door to make sure your tires pressure is correct for your type of car.

3. Check your air filter

Making sure your air filter is clean is important since a dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine. This harms performance and economy for your ride. Air filters are easy to check and change actually: remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new one. Consider a K&N or similar "permanent" filter which is cleaned rather than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters, plus they're better for the environment. If you do not want to do it yourself, you can easily go to your mechanic or an automotive specialty garage.

4. Accelerate with car

A heavy foot on the pedal can make your gas decrease with every punch you take after a red light. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so that the transmission can shift into the higher gears. Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the engine -- downshift if you need to accelerate. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.

5. Chill with the trucks

In traffic jams, cars speed up when it clears and then suddenly stop when traffic stops. This stop and go movement can actually decrease your fuel since you're accelerating and then stopping fast. Trucks, on the other hand, just roll along with traffic at a leisurely pace. A constant speed keeps shifting to a minimum -- important to those who have to wrangle with those ten-speed truck transmissions -- but it 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 and helps you keep your cool while stuck in traffic.

6. Turning off the air conditioner

Go back to nature and turn off your air conditioner. Open all the windows in your car and just enjoy the nice, natural breeze. Even though it may be a tad warmer than you'd like, but not using your air conditioner will help save you MPGs. At higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.

7. Buy efficient wheels

Sure new wheels look cool and they can enhance performance, but heavy ones can actually add to the car's overall weight, causing you to lose fuel faster. If the wheels are wider than the stock tires, chances are they will create more rolling resistance and decrease your fuel. Nowadays, there are plenty of lightweight wheels that won't cause that extra drag, so that you can still roll in style and save gas at the same time. A good tip is to keep your stock wheels and tires handy so that you can change them when you are going on long trips to have better fuel economy so that gas lasts longer as you go cross-country.

8. Clean out your car

A clean car is a happy car. It also helps you save on gas. It doesn't really take much to acquire an extra 40 or 50 lbs. of stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around, the more fuel it burns. Make it a habit to clean out your car at least once a month or every time you get your car wash and see how long your fuel lasts now.

9. Downsize

If you are in the market for a new car, make sure to really do your homework before committing to anything. You should really re-evaluate how much car you really need. Sure, your heart might want that big Hummer H2, but do you really need a big car if you are single and don't have a family to fit in it? Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today's small cars are roomier than ever. he automakers are designing their small cars to survive crashes with bigger vehicles, and safety features like side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control are becoming commonplace in smaller cars. These smaller cars are also getting styling upgrades and many tuners are now adding smaller cars to their list of products.just look at the SmartCar!

10. Don't drive at all

At first this might sound a bit strange, since driving is an everyday chore, but do you really need to drive to get to where you are going? If you do your homework, you can probably find alternative ways to get where you are going. You can take the Metro train to work and not have to drive at all, which many do. Instead of the headaches of driving to and from work, Metro train riders get to rest and chill as the train does everything for them. You might also be able to carpool with friends. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: "Is this trip really necessary?" This will definitely make your gas last a whole lot longer! -InSixthGear