How to Increase Your Car's Gas Mileage and Spend Less on Gas

Everyone wants to save a few bucks at the pump. We can't do anything about the price of gas, but we can make our cars use gas more efficiently.

To calculate your gas mileage, fill up your tank. Write down the odometer reading or reset your trip gauge to zero. The next time you get gas, fill the tank again. Divide the miles you traveled between fill ups by the amount of gas you bought on the 2nd fill. This is your miles per gallon, or mpg.

• Reduce your breaking and quick acceleration. Cars use the least amount of gas when they maintain a reasonable speed. Use cruise control whenever possible. Also, driving at slower speeds saves gas.
• Remove all extra weight from your car. While carrying around the golf clubs in the back might be convenient, cars carrying extra weight use more gas.
• Minimize air conditioning use. When possible, close the windows and use the vents to bring in outside air.
• Combine errands into one trip. It sounds like a no-brainer, but think of the miles (and gas) you could save by stopping by the store on the way home from work instead of heading back out.
• Carpool. If you and a co-worker trade off on who drives which day or week, you can both save gas and money.

• Check your tire pressure (all 4). It takes more effort for the engine to propel an under inflated tire than a properly inflated one. Beware over-inflation, which can lead to handling problems and uneven wear on the tires.
• Change the air filter. This is an inexpensive part to buy and depending on the car, even a beginner can learn to do it herself. Check the owner's manual for recommendations. Change this more often if you live in a particularly dusty area, travel on dirt or gravel roads or if you off-road for sport.
• Make sure the spark plugs are firing properly. Replace them if they are due.
• Make sure the engine timing is appropriate.
• Inspect the exhaust system and muffler. There should be no holes (Chances are if you have an exhaust problem, you will hear about it.)
• Don’t buy the super high octane gas unless your owner's manual recommends it or your engine "knocks" without it.