Simple ways to maximize fuel economy

It seems like every time you take your vehicle out, gas prices have gone up. Thankfully, there are tips from the Automotive Oil Change Association to aid you in getting the most mileage per gallon.

If you are considering purchasing a new vehicle, there are many great fuel-efficient vehicles to choose from today. You can also help reduce pollution and save money on gas by riding mass transit if it is available in your area, or carpooling. Check out sites like http://www.erideshare.com/ to find carpools in your area. If you are unable to take advantage of these options, there are still plenty of other ways to get the most out of your fuel. Below are some tips on how to do so.

  --  Oil Changes
      Regularly changing your oil will add many miles to your engine.
      Changing your engine oil according to your car manufacturer's
      recommendation in your owner's manual will help lubricate the engine,
      minimize friction and carry away excessive heat, all of which will
      lead to greater fuel efficiency.

  --  Use the Right Grade
      Make sure that you are using the right grade of motor oil for your
      vehicle. This is usually printed on the oil cap or in your owner's
      manual.

  --  Drive Sensibly
      Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes
      gas. It can lower your gas mileage up to 33 percent at highway speeds
      and up to 5 percent around town.

  --  Observe the Speed Limit
      While every vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different
      speed, gas mileage usually decreases at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule
      of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like
      paying an additional $0.20 per gallon of gas.

  --  Air Filter
      Filters are a crucial part of regular vehicle maintenance and act as
      the 'vehicle's lung'. Dirty air filters make it harder for the engine
      to breathe. If the flow is restricted by a clogged air filter, the
      fuel economy and vehicle performance will suffer. Replacing a clogged
      air filter can increase your mileage by up to 10 percent.

  --  Tires
      Under-inflated tires affect your mileage by increasing resistance and
      making it more difficult for the engine to move the car along the
      road. For every 1-psi you are under the optimal rate, you lose
      0.4 percent of your miles per gallon. The average person can improve
      mileage by approximately 3.3 percent by inflating their tires to the
      proper psi for their vehicle.

  --  Remove Excess Weight
      Avoid keeping unneeded items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones.
      An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your fuel economy by
      up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight
      relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more
      than larger ones.

  --  Avoid Excessive Idling
      When your vehicle is idling, you are getting 0 miles to the gallon.

  --  Use Cruise Control
      By using cruise control on the highway you will be maintaining a
      constant speed and saving gas.

  --  Secure Gas Cap
      Make sure your gas cap is on and not loose or damaged. 147 million
      gallons of gas vaporize every year due to these conditions.

With gas prices expected to keep rising, now is a crucial time to save money any way possible. You can't control the price of gas, but you can practice better driving habits and have regular car maintenance performed to improve your gas mileage.