9 Ways to Save on Gas

"This is basically a price issue," says Mike Pina, a spokesman for AAA. "Consumers are stuck with high fuel prices, higher airfares — which are due to higher fuel prices — and a softening economy."

For those who still plan on braving the highways, the usual tactics — shopping around for cheaper gas or using a gas rewards credit card — will prove much less effective than in years past. Instead, the only way drivers will see any substantial fuel savings is to stay on top of their car's maintenance and start driving more conscientiously.

"You can't control prices at the pump, but you do have some control over how much fuel you use," says Rozanne Weissman, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. The nonprofit recently launched the Drive Smarter Challenge, a web site that helps consumers figure out how much they can save annually, just by changing their driving habits. "When you add these seemingly small things together, it adds up to hundreds of dollars in savings."

A potential $733 over three months, in fact, if you try everything on our list:

(Note: Unless otherwise stated, our calculations for each example assume the car stays true to its advertised average mileage per gallon, will be driven 4,500 miles over a 16-week period — mileage amount is calculated based on Edmunds.com estimate that the average person drives roughly 15,000 miles per year — and that the price of gas is $3.80 a gallon. Estimates of fuel economy and savings come from research by the Federal Trade Commission, FuelEconomy.gov, the Alliance to Save Energy and Edmunds.com.)

Check your tires: $29
Improperly inflated tires — whether over- or under-inflated — change the way a car handles, either by adding drag or accelerating wear, says Weissman. That, in turn, can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 3.3%, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Look at your driver's side door panel or owner's manual to find out the proper inflation for your tires and make sure to check the pressure at least once a month. Over the course of 4,500 miles of driving, a 2008 Acura RL owner could save $29.

Forgo premium fuel: $86
Unless you drive a Dodge Viper or other high-end sports car that lists premium fuel as a requirement in its owner's manual, you should use regular unleaded gas, says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "[Premium fuel] boosts engine performance, but not fuel economy," he says. "The savings in price would be far greater." Someone in California, for example, filling his 2008 Saab 9-3 weekly with $3.98-a-gallon unleaded (87 octane) instead of $4.31 premium (91 octane) would save $86 over the course of four months.

Get a tune-up: $129
"Maintaining your vehicle is one of the most important things you can do to aid fuel efficiency," says Shruti Vaidyanathan, principle vehicle analyst for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. A faulty engine can reduce fuel economy by 4%, for example, while a clogged air filter knocks off about 10%, according to FuelEconomy.gov, a Department of Energy-sponsored site. Fixing up a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan before driving 4,500 miles saves $129.