Gas prices may be on the decline for now but there is no reason why you should not find ways to save on fuel costs. With a few easy to do practices, you can significantly improve your gas mileage and start saving up on gas expenses. Here are some effective gas mileage tips:

Be an efficient driver – Avoid aggressive driving habits such as speeding, rapid acceleration and excessive braking as these can lower your gas mileage anywhere between 5-33%. Always observe the speed limit; the gas mileage of a vehicle significantly lowers at speeds of above 60mph. Remove unnecessary heavy items in your vehicle as this can also reduce your MPG. When running short errands such as picking up the kids, or going to the drive-thru, avoid excessive idling as this also wastes gas. Use cruise control and overdrive gear.

Maintain your car in good shape – Keeping your engine properly tuned is probably the most practical way to save gas. Not only will you improve gas mileage, you also improve your car’s safety and longevity. Meanwhile, regularly replacing the air filters, an often neglected part of the vehicle, can increase your gas mileage by as much as 10%. You should also keep an eye on the wheels. By keeping them inflated to the proper pressure, they can help you improve gas mileage by as much as 3.3%. Furthermore, using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil can slash 1-2% from your gas consumption.

Plan and combine your trips – combining trips and errands will help you not only save gas money but also on time. With a little planning and scheduling, you can reduce the distance you need to travel as well as the frequency of these trips which translates to lower gas consumption.

Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle – The era of gas-guzzling SUVs and monster trucks is gone. When in the market for a new car, make fuel efficiency your main yardstick when selecting and comparing vehicle models. To help you with this, here are the Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles of the 2008 Model Year.

Source: fueleconomy.gov