Happy Earthday: Put Some Green In Your Pocket

12 proven ways to improve your gas mileage

1. Keep your engine tuned up. Incorrect fuel ratio, bad spark plugs and incorrect spark timing can have a big effect on gas mileage.

2. Don't use your air conditioner (A/C) unless you really need it. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

3. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause more resistance to travel.

4. Avoid stop and go traffic by taking alternative routes or less congested travel times.

5. Ask other people with the same type of car what kind of gas mileage they get, it may alert you to a problem with your car.

6. Use a good engine oil, preferably a synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

7. Reduce the weight in your vehicle as much as possible. (Good excuse to get the mother-in-law out of the car....)

8. Use your cruise control whenever possible.

9. Keeping your highway speed at 55 mph can improve you gas mileage by as much as 25%, compared to 75 mph. (I personally have pledged to set the cruise control at 65 on the interstate. You should see the looks I get.) 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 for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.

10. Avoid trying to increase speed while climbing a hill, your engine is already working hard trying to overcome gravity.

11. Keep your windows closed when possible. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage compared to using the A/C.

12. Remove accessories, such as luggage rack, etc. that lower the aerodynamics of your vehicle.

source: http://www.mpgplus.com/