10 Easy Ways to Increase your Gas Mileage

Although gas prices dropped a little over the past week, they are still high. Luckily, there are dozens of easy ways you can save gas and money by increasing your gas mileage. With just a few adjustments and a little patience you can save yourself hundreds of dollars every year in fuel. In today’s economy, who could not use a little more money?

1. Cruise When Possible
Cruise control works effectively in two ways. First, it keeps the car running smoothly and efficiently without jumps or sudden acceleration. Second, it has been proven to put people in a calmer state of mind, which reduces erratic, gas guzzling, driving habits.

2. Keep It Light
Having heavy objects, or just a lot of junk in your car can put a big toll on your mileage. By simply cleaning out your car, you will not only save fuel, but you will have a nice clean car!

3. Oil Changes
Checking and changing the oil in your car on a regular basis saves you more gas than you would imagine. Having clean oil in your engine helps the whole vehicle run smoother, making your vehicle more fuel-efficient.

4. Plan Ahead
Try planning errands in the same part of town around each other, so that you do not have to make multiple trips. By arranging your errands and appointments around each other will save you hundreds in gasoline every year.

5. Slow Down
The EPA estimates you pay about 20 cents more per gallon for every 5 miles you go over 60 mph. Although going 80 down the highway may get you some where quick, you will be paying much more per mile for the speedy trip.

6. Check Your Wheels
Poorly inflated tires waste a lot of gas. Studies show that keeping your tires at maximum pressure at all times can save you as much as 10 cents per gallon. It is a good idea to gauge your tires for pressure at least once a month.

7. Let Your Car Breathe
The air filter in your car is what lets it breathe, and a clogged filter will add drag to your car and waste gas. Check and maintain your air filter as you would your oil, to prevent this from happening.

8. Close Windows
Even if the weather is nice, having even one window down in your car while driving at highway or freeway seeds causes major drag. Believe it or not, studies show that using your A/C at speeds over 55 mph is actually more fuel-efficient than having your window down.

9. Take Advantage of Cool Weather
Gasoline is denser in cool temperatures, and since it is measured by volume and not density, buying fuel during cooler times of the day will let you get a little more gasoline for your money.

10. No Top-Offs
"Topping off", or overfilling your gas tank almost always wastes money and fuel. To avoid gasoline from splashing and getting wasted, stop adding more fuel after the pump stops the first time.