The price of gas goes up and down but you can be on the road to consistent savings by keeping your car running efficiently and therefore more economically. 

Keeping your car’s engine tuned and purring at its fuel-efficient best means being deliberate about what’s happening under the hood of your car:

• Don’t forget to change your oil as recommended because clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between your car’s moving parts and removes harmful substances from your car’s engine.
• Checking and replacing your vehicle’s air filters can increase gas mileage up to 10%.
• Most vehicles have gasoline filters so make sure they’re changed, too.
• If your car’s trunk is habitually filled with “stuff” – clean it out because an extra 100 pounds of weight in there can reduce your car’s fuel economy by as much as 2%.

Before you gas up again, take a look at and follow the recommendations in your owner’s manual regarding the right octane level to use.  Most cars run on regular octane and automotive specialists say there’s no benefit to using a higher octane gas than is recommended. 

Frank Washington is managing partner/editor of the gem of an online car information site called AboutThatCar.com ( http://aboutthatcar.com/) – a website dedicated to easing the automotive purchasing and ownership experience of all consumers.  Washington says:  “Unless you have a high performance engine, buying high octane gasoline is a waste of money.  What’s more, most contemporary vehicles list the recommended fuel octane on the inside of the refueling door.  And yes,” Washington goes on to say, “the bottom line is that every gasoline powered vehicle will run just fine off regular fuel.”

What about all those gas saving gadgets we hear about?  Do they work?  Car specialists say “no, they don’t” – steer clear of them.  And the Environmental Protection Agency which has tested more than a hundred of these gizmos found that very few provided any fuel economy benefits.

The fact is – how you drive is as important as how far you drive when it comes to fuel efficiency.  Commit to staying within the posted speed limits since gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 miles an hour.  Avoid unnecessary idling.  AboutThatCar.com’s Washington says:  “Miles per gallon is exactly zero when a car is idling.”   To idle is to waste fuel, which costs you money and pollutes the air.  Drive “gently” rather than with fast starts and stops because “gentle driving” improves your in-town gas mileage by up to 5%.

On the highway – use cruise control whenever you can because it improves fuel economy.  Keep your tires properly inflated and properly aligned which reduces friction and you’ll increase your gas mileage up to 3%.

So whether driving across town or cross country – how you gas up, operate and maintain your car are important factors that will help you drive down your costs.

Here’s to your health and wealth!

AboutThatCar.com provides buying, leasing  and insurance tips, financing links and reviews of new vehicles as well as the latest on safety and regulatory issues.

TAGS: AboutThatCar.com, automotive, car efficiency, choosing the right octane, fuel economy tips, fuel-efficient suggestions, gas saving gadgets, oil and air filter changes