Top 10 Gas Saving Tips

10. Monitor your tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional. Check pressure when cold.
Pressure when cold = 29 pounds - Manufacturer's recommendation = 32 pounds, or a difference of 3 pounds.
Pressure when hot = 32 pounds, Add 3 pounds = 35 pounds
Up to 6% mpg loss for every single pound your tire is under-inflated.

9. Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family or the bridge is up or stuck in traffic for more then 5 minutes. When starting your car, don't idle it for more than 30 seconds, even in cold weather. Today's cars are designed to be driven almost immediately.

8. Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon. Cars get about 21% more mpg at 55 mph then at 70 mph. Better planning reduces the need for speeding, to get there in time.

7. Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. When the light turns red, take off slowly and smoothly - you'll gain speed almost as fast as if you punched the accelerator. And you'll save wasted gas that pours through your system unused.

6. Get rid of excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle, store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. After family vacations, make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including that roof-top cargo carrier. Every 100 extra pounds eats up an extra mile per gallon.

5. Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -- assuming that the system is in good working order. If possible, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.

4. Keep your engine operating at its "peak efficiency." A well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended. A poorly tuned car can use up to 25% more gas.

3. Choose the right octane. High octane gasoline may be needed for some engines, check your owner's amnual find out if yours will run just as well on a lesser grade. Higher octane gas is more expensive, and if your car doesn't need it, you're wasting money. The recommended gasoline for most cars is regular octane.

2. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

1. And the number 1 tip to save gas - BICYCLES!