How to Spend Less and Save on Gas

Looking for ways to trim your budget? It can start right in your vehicle. Here's how to spend less and save on gas.

Instructions

1. One of the easiest things you can do to increase your gas mileage is to make sure that your air filter is clean. This can improve your mileage by as much as 10 percent in some cases. Keep your tires properly inflated as well. This allows your car to run more smoothly and reduces wear on the engine.

2. Keep your tires aligned properly. Misaligned tires wear out more quickly and force your engine to work harder. When your car is out of alignment it can reduce your fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

3. Keep your engine properly tuned and increase your gas mileage by up to 4 percent. Make sure your gas cap is screwed on tightly as well; this is perhaps the easiest of all measures to take--but it can make one of the biggest differences in how much you save.

4. Give 'em a break--for every 5 mph slower you drive, you reduce fuel consumption by 7 percent. This especially applies when you start and stop; smooth acceleration and deceleration can add up to fuel savings of up to 33 percent on the highway! Also avoid idling your car for extended periods of time.

5. Don't carry around deadweight. Each extra 100 lbs. of weight in your car costs you 1 to 2 percent of fuel efficiency.