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Changing driving habits works remarkably well! There are some other things you can do too. Check out www.gasbuddy.com for the cheapest gas prices in your area. And check out www.savegas4you.com for some new diy technical innovations. If everybody changed driving habits, we could save immense ammounts of fuel.

... link trips, use transit, walk, etc., and thus likely consume far less fuel that our average driver. I learned these 'tricks' when living in Germany with fuel costs (relative) that made $4/gal look like a great deal. And, if you think that $4/gal is it you had better enjoy it while you can -- because the good folks in China and India are soon going to be burning what used to be 'our gas.'

I take the train whenever possible when traveling alone or maybe with one other person. When you hit three or more the car becomes more economical unless there are mitigating reasons such as heavy congestion, bad weather, etc. However, the US really sucks when it comes to decent rail based transportation, both intra and inner-city. However, record ridership over the past year seems to be stiring our leaders to possible do something about it. Sure hope so. Call your congressman , governor, etc and find out where they stand on sustainable alternative to a drive/fly only mentality. Of course, you will not likely talk to the Pol, esp if you call the guv of Alaska, but you will get to talk to a staffer who quite likely is pretty well informed on the subject. PS I like to fly, to Europe,where they have great trains and transit. And I am not especially a tree hugger. I have seven cars, four of which have large displacement V8 engines - two with carburetors. But, I know how to link tri...(Read more of this comment)ps, use transit, walk, etc, and as a result likely fall way below the average gas consumer in this country (learned how to do all this stuff while living in Germany 30 years ago). (Show less of this comment)

luxury_car... You might as well tell us you dropped a rock and it fell up into a tree. Rocks don't fall up, they fall down. My point is that if all other parameters are equal, then you would have to violate basic laws of phyiscs to get better mileage at 72 than 55. Maybe there is a problem with the engine that only shows up around 55 mph and smooths out at higher speeds.

Cars today have computers which 'compensates' for the lack of air from a clogged air filter by not allowing the engine to use more fuel thus making your car move slower if you try to gas it from the stop sign. As far as saving gas, no savings there but maybe a bit better performance and of course less frustration from you.

I have taken my Toyota Camry from 17 mpg city to 22 mpg city by COASTING. When I drive city streets and am approaching a light that is red, I remove my foot from the gas pedal much sooner than I would have and COAST up to that light. I do the same with stop signs. I remove my foot from the gas every chance I get. My son has an SUV with an MPG indicator and shows approx. 95 MPG when coasting.....so COAST I WILL.

Anybody out there that has tried or read about Run your Car on Water (1/2 Water & 1/2 Gas) to make yourvehicle Gas or Diesel get 20-50% MPG. If not Check it out

Jim?? two years? I'd think an oil change every six months even for those not driving many miles......... and an air filter every time! On a budget? Or running synthetic oil on longer intervals? Stop in a parts store and get a few air filters; anyone can change one in a few minutes. The need to change varies with the amount of dust you drive through so it's hard to say a mileage number. High mileage rigs may pollute their own air cleaner with oil fumes that are supposed to be reinjected........ if it looks dirty it probably is a good bargain to change it. And, careful! those touting oil soaked after market filters don't mention screwing up your mass air sensor.

This mess is NOT just 'supply and demand' but if we cut consumption 10% or so it will help to unwind the game they're running!

Others make a good point here that 40 or so is about the optimum mileage speed for most cars with an automatic. Below that speed the tranny may be in a lower gear or the converter not yet locked up. Feel that subtle surge on most cars of the last 10 years or so, that's the torque converter locking into direct drive.

The most important thing with today's heavy weight gas hogs is to try to keep it going at the same speed, even getting thru traffic lights at 20 or so is far more efficient than coming to a stop. Those with instand mileage guages will see 30+ on almost any sedan (not SUV) at in town speeds of 40 or less, after a full stop, you'll see zero at the stop, then 5, 9, and 15 until you get to the speed limit and ease up. Look two lights ahead and make a game of limiting the number of full stops.

Luxury car.......... you're probably wrong. No matter how heavy your luxury car it's main resistance at highway speeds is wind resistance which goes up dramatically from 55-72. That's why very powerful cars have top speeds only a bit higher than cars with much less power; wind resistance.

Hecojoe! Great! savings in that range are very possible, and as you note add up! A couple mpg doesn't sound like much but as you point out on a gas hog it's a big percentage.

StarB --- check around on the net about premium use. On some cars even looking closely at the owner's manual may clarify premium use. Today, some cars have sensors.......... so the result of using regular might be only that of less, full throttle, power. Further? since lead is out, I think some of the anti-knock additive in premium is ethanol which contains fewer BTU's of heat so actually worsens your mileage. Rule of thumb? If driving around on flat terrain under light throttle you probably don't need premium. Family on board and lugging up a steep pass in high temps? then you'd be better off giving her a tank of premium. In between? fill up at the quarter tank level and put regular every second tank.

Hey guys for the have too use premium gas users ..there is fuel additive you can buy it in small bottles and is inexpensive....mechanics and car manufacturers say it is safe and same as having premium gas...for regular..prices...

I have been buying several locks to go on my gas tanks, the gas thieves kept taking them off with some sort of a tool, finally, I just stuck a tator with double bladed razor blades in the tator side ways where the blade would be side ways,with a pair of pliers and then stuck the said tator in my tank hole and the next day, I followed the blood trail and called the laws. I found my gas thieves...

[...]Is anyone taking a road trip this summer? Has the price of gas curtailed that time honored summertime family activity? Maybe…[...]

[...]Is anyone taking a road trip this summer?  Has the price of gas curtailed that time honored summertime family activity?  Maybe… I know that on a daily commuting basis, the price of gas has not deterred people in my area, as traffic is seemingly...[...]

I've heard mixed opinions about the premium fuel bit. My car is hardly a 'high-end' car, but it's own manual says to use premium fuel only. One friend says I should just use the cheap stuff unless it pings, and another friend says even if it doesn't ping, it can damage my engine. Sadly, premium is $4.50 now... ugh.

I called my dealership to get a tuneup to boost my MPG, and the service guy laughed and said I probably just thought I was getting less MPG because gas prices are higher. So much for that option.

Years ago, during the first gas crisis, I found the quickest way to increase gas milage 5 mpg was to install a locking gas cap.

Another way to increase gas milage in heavy traffic is allow a 3 secoond gap. You won't brake nor accelerate as often.

To the European... most new cars get better mileage with the windows closed and the AC on, at least at speeds above 30 MPH. The 'slipstream' effect is lost because of the turbulence from open windows, and the drag increases, adding the same effect as if you were pulling a small trailer.

I drive a heavy luxury car.
My best mileage is at 72 MPH.
I get an ave of 32 MPG driving over the Smokies
just by coasting downhill & never using my
cruise control. Cruise control speeds the car right
up to the top of any hill. Then brakes on the way down.
But I can see the top & begin taking my foot off
the accelerator before reaching the top.
I can usually drive down the hill without using
the accelerator. Cruise control costs me more than driving without it.
The cost of a tune-up is more than any fuel savings I might gain.
The one thing I pay attention to is the tire pressure.
With just the right tire pressure, my MPG goes up.
If I have to slow down to 55, I lose MPG. From 32 MPG to 24 MPG.
I believe that the public is being sold on
slower limits for reasons other than fuel savings.
My actual driving records show a different reality. Again,
my very best mileage is at 72 MPH not 55 MPH.

I agree that slowing down on a highway to the most-economical speed of around 60 mph does save fuel, but slowing down in the city usually translates to longer waits at traffic lights. Plus, 30 mph is often less fuel efficient than 35 or 40. Something to keep in mind.

Another good one: if you are sitting in your car at the curb, waiting for someone or something, switch off the engine.
As a European now living in the states, I am still very much amazed how many car with idling engines you see at the curb - that is sheer wasted money.

There has been research in Europe that it is worth the extra gas and wear and tear on the engine even for a 30 second stop. In fact, there are cars in Europe that automatically switch on and off at red lights (which you only should do if you trust your car to start reliably at all times).

Then add the AC or heat on full blast and open the window to adjust temperature, and additional fuel goes down the drain senselessly.

I totally changed my driving habits in my explorer. I increased gas mileage by over 25% from 18 mpg to 23. I drive 35000 miles a year so at $4/gallon I save around $1500.

Try commuting earlier or later to avoid sitting in traffic. I did this and saved quite a bit, since I was doing steady driving and not stop-and-go traffic. The stress levels go down, as well :-)

Slowing down to 55-60 mph will save a very substantial amount of fuel.
Using the accelerator with restraint helps too !
If you really get serious, have a vacuum guage installed and watch the effect
of hard acceleration !
Ray Joynt, Holland Michigan

good ideas!
one additional-change your air filter!!
if your car is over 2 years old,havent changed the air filter,you could gain 1-2 mpg! I have a 2004 Subaru,never changed the air filter.when I did,gas mileage went up just under 2 mpg!
Jim Lincoln Annandale Va