While fuel prices continue to skyrocket and a credit crisis is curbing consumer spending, more drivers are looking for ways to cut back on their fuel expenses. There are actually several ways to help drivers save up on fuel costs. These can range from choosing to walk or take the bicycle instead of driving, to installing modifications and devices that promise to help increase gas mileage.

There have been a slew of devices introduced into the market that are touted to have a positive effect in the effort to save gas. The Tornado Fuel Saver is one of these. It is basically a stainless steel, non-mechanical, turbine shaped device that is inserted into the either the air intake hose (if the vehicle is fuel injected) or the air filter housing (if the vehicle is carbureted). Its function is to change the flow of the air coming into the combustion chamber.

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The average fuel economy of cars and light duty trucks in the United States increased for the fourth consecutive year reaching a projected 20.8 miles per gallon for 2008, says a report by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. This figure Is 0.2 mpg higher than last year’s average fuel economy.

However, the final data for 2008 will not be available until automakers submit their final annual sales data in early 2009. EPA expects that the final average fuel economy for 2008 will still be higher than initial projections of automakers since gasoline prices have since increased.

The EPA has seen an upward trend in the average fuel efficiency in America beginning in 2005. The average national fuel economy is now the highest since 1983. Most of the increase is attributed to higher fuel economy for light trucks following a long-term trend of slightly declining overall fuel economy that peaked in 1987. Market share of light trucks have also slid from 52% in 2004 to an estimated 48% in 2008.

Via The Auto Channel

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.

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Aiming squarely at the market-leading Toyota Prius, Honda Motor Co. will introduce a new gas-electric hybrid by April of 2009. Honda already has the most fuel-efficient lineup in the US. “We’re targeting sales of 100,000 units of this new vehicle in North America,” said Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. in a speech at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars.

The new Honda dedicated hybrid model will be priced lower than the Prius while offering superior performance in the hope of cutting through the market share of Toyota’s popular hybrid. It will also be priced lower than the hybrid gas-electric version of the Civic. Smaller than the Honda Civic, the new five-door car will feature a hybrid powertrain. Colliver further added that Honda wants to make the hybrid affordable to a new generation of buyers and it is not specifically trying to match Prius sales.

The automaker has not yet released fuel economy figures for the new hybrid. It will sell the new Prius competitor in the US, Japan and Europe. A new hybrid version of the Honda Fit has also been announced.

Via International Herald Tribune