| Even if you don't want to admit it, gas prices are | | | | gradual pace. |
| taking a bite out of your wallet. Gasoline prices are | | | | 5. Replace the air filter. |
| setting a new all-time every time we turn around. To | | | | Check your air filter about once a month. If its |
| compensate, you will need to make a few changes | | | | clogged, its like trying to run your dryer with a |
| so that you can improve your miles per gallon (mpg) | | | | clogged lint trap. Having a clean air filter will improve |
| and save yourself some hard earned money. Here | | | | your cars efficiency and improve your mpg. Check |
| are 8 simple steps that you can start practicing | | | | your car manual for location of the air filter and |
| today. | | | | directions. Be careful though, every time you get |
| 1. Properly inflate your tires. | | | | your oil checked it seems like they try to sell you an |
| Did you know that driving with tires that aren't fully | | | | air filter. Even if it looks dirty, tell them no thanks. |
| inflated can cost you 5 -10% more gas than if your | | | | Then drive over to Wal-Mart and buy one yourself |
| tires were filled properly. All you need to do to | | | | for about $10 and put it in. |
| correct this is check your tire pressure every few | | | | 6. Get rid of the crap. |
| times you fill up. Look on the side of your tire for the | | | | How to improve your mpg? Hmmmm, stop using |
| recommended psi and adjust accordingly. While your | | | | your car as storage for everything that should be |
| doing this, its a good idea to check your tires for | | | | kept in the garage. If your trunk or back seat is full |
| excessive wear. | | | | of heavy garbage, you could be costing yourself |
| 2. Don't put off your oil change | | | | money at the pumps. Remove the extra cargo that |
| Today with the use of synthetic oil, it isn't necessary | | | | is cluttering your car and keep it to the bare |
| to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Depending | | | | minimum. |
| on the type of synthetic oil you use, ask to see | | | | 7. Regulate your air conditioner. |
| what the recommended drive time for that oil is. I | | | | If you are on the highway, it makes sense to use |
| would say that if your using synthetic oil, to get it | | | | your AC. The reason is that if you have your |
| changed between 5,000 and 6,000 miles. Clean oil will | | | | windows open on the highway, the increase in drag |
| reduce friction in your engine and can improve your | | | | on your car will cost you more gas then your AC |
| mpg by about 3 percent. | | | | running will. If you driving around town, shut off the |
| 3. Lose the Lead Foot!! | | | | AC and open your windows. |
| I know thats its nice to feel like we are all NASCAR | | | | 8. Buy a HYBRID |
| drivers every time we get behind the wheel, but that | | | | I know that this is an extreme example, but the |
| extra speed is really just wasting gas. 55 miles per | | | | mileage that you can get from a hybrid is |
| hour is the optimal speed to improve mpg. For every | | | | unbelievable. With gas prices through the roof, these |
| 5 miles over that, you start using an extra 3 - 4 | | | | things are becoming more practical by the day. There |
| percent per gallon. | | | | are more options out today that will give you great |
| 4. Avoid fast stops and starts | | | | value. |
| You can save a good amount of gas by avoiding fast | | | | For the most part, saving money on your gasoline |
| stops and starts. Come to a slow and steady stop | | | | expense is common sense and relatively simple to |
| instead of screeching to a stop at traffic lights and | | | | accomplish.These are some simple steps on how to |
| then speeding away. Learn to start and stop at a | | | | improve mpg. |