Nowadays, it seems like oil the company executives are out to empty our wallets and fill theirs. Gas prices have gone out of site, along with food, clothing and necessities, while our economy is seemingly crumbling. Many folks are trying to keep their heads above water, and need to learn some simple ways to improve gas mileage.

There are several methods that help to improve gas mileage, some of them that are very effective, and others that really don’t make too much of a difference. It can be a bit of a pain trying to sift through them all, so I have gone to the trouble of finding the most common methods people are using right now to improve gas mileage, so I could pass them on to you.

First, change your oil, and get tuneups on a regular basis. Most people realize that if your car is tuned up and running like a top, then the energy used will be less than if your car has mechanical problems. Some basic things like changing the air filter, deteriorated hoses, and oil changes using the properly weight oil with friction reducers will all make a difference and improve gas mileage.

Another trick that works well, is getting rid of extra weight your car is carrying. Do away with luggage racks, since they create resistance, and decrease your gas mileage. Keeping your tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can also help to decrease resistance, the MPG gain is fairly small, but every little bit will help!

Another way to improve gas mileage is by exercising some self control. Drive at slower speeds. Try cruising on the highway at 55 mph, instead of 65 or 70. That will increase your gas mileage by as much as 25%. Keep in mind that also includes no speeding when the “police” aren’t looking! You can also gain 14% in MPG just by using your car’s cruise control.

Resist the temptation to drive like a crazed maniac, like excessive braking or quick acceleration. Those bad habits burn up fuel, wear out your brakes and waste your dollars. The same goes for unnecessary idling. If you have a long wait at a fast food drive through, or at the bank, turn your car off while you wait. Cutting down on unnecessary idling can up your gas mileage by a substantial 19%. That is a big savings just for doing something simple like turning your car off for a few minutes.

So many simple methods to improve gas mileage, and not enough space to cover them all! Just implementing even one of these can help you save money.

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