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.

Slow down: $95
If you speed, you might as well be paying $4 a gallon (or more) for gas. Every five miles per hour you drive above the speed limit adds 20 cents per gallon to your fuel bill, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. A 2008 Mazda CX-7 owner who consistently drives 10 miles above the speed limit over 4,500 miles of driving, for example, will pay an extra $95. Don't trust yourself to stay within the limit? Use cruise control.

Combine errands: $107
Cars use much more energy for cold starts (i.e; when the car hasn't been driven in a couple of hours and the engine is cool), says Vaidyanathan. In fact, making several cold-start trips, say, to the store, the dry cleaners and the babysitter, will consume twice as much fuel than if you combine errands and make them all in one run, according to FuelEconomy.gov. An owner of a 2008 Ford (F) Focus, who combines 10 errands (each requiring 10 miles of driving) into two weekly trips could save $107 over a 16-week period.

Let go of your aggression: $95
Rapid acceleration and hard braking reduce fuel economy by about 10%, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Pushing your car to the limit constantly burns more fuel than maintaining a steady speed. It also adds to wear and tear. A 2008 Jeep Liberty owner who drives 4,500 miles at steady speeds without riding the brakes could save $95 over the course of 16 weeks.

Pack light: $17
Hauling a cargo carrier, kayaks or other gear on top of your car decreases fuel economy by about 5%, according to FuelEconomy.gov. "They affect your car's aerodynamic performance and adds drag," explains Jim Kliesch, senior engineer for the Union of Concerned Scientists, an environment-focused nonprofit. Overpacking the trunk doesn't help, either. Every 100 pounds of added weight reduces fuel economy by about 2%, reports the Federal Trade Commission. By packing two 50-pound suitcases instead of four, and foregoing the rooftop cargo carrier, the owner of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala could save $17 over the course of a 1,300-mile road trip.

Swap vehicles: $25
If you have more than one vehicle, drive the more fuel-efficient one, advises Kliesch. "Don't discount even a small difference in miles per gallon," he says. It adds up over time. A family splitting 4,500 driving miles 80-20 between a 2008 Honda (HMC) Accord and 2008 Honda CRV instead of 50-50 could save $25 in gas.

Look for gas incentives: $150
To help lure in visitors, hotels and tourism boards are offering incentives to help offset travel costs such as discounted room rates or gas station gift cards. Hotel chain Best Western is offering a $25 gas card with any two-night stay at some of its properties.

Also See: