10 Easy Ways to Save Over a Grand on Gas

Here is an extract of an article By Sean Tucker I found online on how to save on GAS. I hope this helps!

According to the mileage book in my glovebox, I averaged about 21 miles per gallon in May. So far in June, I'm at 26.

New, more fuel-efficient, car?

Nope, I'm commuting in the same old Volvo S60 that has seen better days. Same dent in the right rear door. Same old Cheerios wedged under the child safety seat in back. (Yeah, I know. I'll get to it, Honey).

So how did I do it? I'm trying to learn to drive more efficiently, and little by little, it's working. With a few simple changes, you can easily squeeze more gas mileage out of the car you're already driving.

A note on the calculations:
Your mileage will vary. Governments and automakers estimate fuel mileage savings by percentage -- do x and you'll get five percent better fuel mileage. I wanted to know what they meant in real dollars, so I used the average mileage Americans actually got from their cars in 2007 (22.4 mpg, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics) and boosted it by the percentage each tip should gain. I've assumed you spend 55 percent of the time driving in the city and 45 percent driving on the highway. I borrowed those assumptions from the formula EPA uses to calculate the mileage of new cars.

Using the average price of a gallon of gas as of June 12 ($4.05, according to AAA) and assuming you drive 15,000 miles a year (according to EPA estimates), I calculated what each tip would save in a year. The numbers aren't a perfect prediction -- I have no idea what you drive, or what's in your trunk -- but they do provide an interesting perspective. Here are ten easy ways to put the math to the test and put some more cash in your wallet.

1. Get that "Check Engine" Light Checked Out:
Possible Savings: Off the charts

2. Check Your Tire Pressure:
Possible Savings 133.9 gallons/year ($542/yr)

3. Change Your Air Filter:
Possible Savings 60.9 gallons/yr ($247/yr)

4. Drive 60 on the Highway, Not 75:
Possible Savings: 57.8 gallons/year ($234/yr)

5. Turn Off the A/C:
Possible Savings 31.9 gallons/yr ($129/yr)

6. Get Your Engine Tuned:
Possible Savings 25.8 gallons/year ($104/yr)

7. Drive Calmly in the City:
Possible Savings: 17.9 gallons/yr ($73/yr)

8. Lose Weight:
Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/yr for each 100 pounds you remove ($104/yr)

9. Lose the Roof Rack
Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/year ($53/yr)

10. Change Your Oil on Time
Possible Savings 6.6 gallons/year ($27/yr)

How Much Can You Save?

If you follow the tips above, that's $1,514 less you could spend on gas in the next year. Though it's a rough estimate, it shows you what small changes in your habits -- most of which you can make for free -- could do for your wallet.

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