Pain At The Pump: How To Get Better Gas Mileage

When I was your age, I could get a candy bar, a bag of chips, and a soda for a nickel!

Admit it you've heard it at some point in your life. Maybe you've even been the one to say it. In any event, it's no secret that prices rise as the years go on. At some point, we're all able to reminisce about the good old days when prices made sense―the good old days when a tank of gas, on average, was much less than even two dollars a gallon.

The good old days? That was in 2000!

With the seemingly nonstop rise of gas prices these days, are there actually ways to get better gas mileage? Not only are there ways to get better gas mileage, but there are ways to save money on the gas itself―and you won't have to buy a new car or give up driving altogether. You'll probably wonder why you didn't think of these solutions yourself.

First, buy the right gasoline. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people believe their vehicles won't run properly if they don't feed them the more expensive premium-grade gasoline. While this may have been true a couple of decades ago, cars today are more technologically advanced and can adjust to the less expensive regular-grade gasoline.

Second, stay away from products that claim to increase your gas mileage. Most of them are scams, and it defeats the purpose of saving money when you end up paying hundreds of dollars just to figure out if one of them is really going to work.

Keep up with the maintenance of your vehicle. You don't have to be an auto mechanic to know that vehicles need regular maintenance. Keep your engine in good working condition by having tune-ups. Change your oil and air filters as often as your owner's manual advises―usually every 3,000 miles for oil and every 12,000 miles for air filters. While you're at it, make sure the oil you're using is a good quality brand. Use that owner's manual to check that your tires are properly inflated, too.

Do you tend to speed often? Repeatedly slam on the brakes and gas pedal? These kinds of behaviors could be hurting your gas mileage. Steadily driving at a moderate speed, such as 55 mph, and allowing yourself enough time to ease into starts and stops will help you get the best gas mileage possible.

Streamline your vehicle. This is especially helpful for trucks. If you drive a truck, let your tailgate down, or invest in one of those nifty nets that are available. Also consider getting a cover for the bed of your truck. If you drive a car, try to keep your luggage inside the car or trunk if at all possible―outside luggage racks slow you down and increase your need for energy, thus decreasing your gas mileage.

Yes, this contradicts the above, but face it―many of us use our trunks for extra storage space and it's usually to store unnecessary items. Sure, it's smart to keep an extra bottle of motor oil or power steering fluid handy, but when your trunk starts looking like a recycling bin, or you find your old tennis racket while looking for the motor oil, it's time to clean it out―especially if you haven't played tennis in two years. This added weight slows down your vehicle and decreases gas mileage.

This is tricky. Although air conditioners use more gas, having your windows down can create resistance and decrease gas mileage; however, there is a solution. Use the air conditioner when you're driving on roads that allow for more speed and less stops and starts, such as interstate highways, and roll your windows down when driving roads that have stop signs, traffic lights, and much lower speed limits.

Surrender to the obvious―the less you use your vehicle, the more money you're going to save on gas. Carpool to work. Telecommute a few days a week if your job allows it. Walk whenever you can. If your supermarket is one block away, it's fine to drive if you're stocking up on supplies, but walk if you only need a loaf of bread or a carton of milk.

For more information about fuel, the environment, and our economy, check out the official Web sites of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fuel Economy.