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Gas mileage tips

Driving efficiently can have a significant impact on your gas mileage. Here are a few ideas to help maximize the gas mileage of your car:

Drive the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases at higher speeds.
Limit aggressive driving. Speeding, quick acceleration, and excessive braking all lower your gas mileage.
Use overdrive. If your vehicle has a manual overdrive, make sure it is on; overdrive reduces engine speed, which helps to save gas.
Use cruise control to improve gas mileage by maintaining a constant speed.
Use air conditioning when traveling at highway speeds; driving with the windows open decreases gas mileage through increased drag.
Avoid idling: idling for longer than 30 seconds uses more gas than starting up your engine.

Keeping your car in the best shape possible is key to good gas mileage. Always:

Get the manufacturer's recommended maintenance done. Keeping your car in shape improves gas mileage.
Make sure your tires are filled to the correct pressure; this can increase gas mileage by three percent. Always refer to the manufacturer's specifications.
When possible, use synthetic oil. Look for "Energy Conserving" motor oil; it will reduce friction and increase gas mileage.
Check and replace dirty air filters. Clogged filters can decrease gas mileage up to 10 percent.

A few simple steps can help you save time and money in your car. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Combine errands to save time, money, and gas mileage.
Carpooling and ride sharing can cut weekly gas costs in half.
Remove excess weight. Every 100 pounds of excess weight in the cab or trunk reduces gas mileage by approximately two percent.
Eliminate excess wind resistance and increase gas mileage by removing roof racks and carrier crates. This can increase gas mileage by about five percent.
Fill up your car in the morning. Gasoline is cooler and denser in the early morning. Gas pumps measure volumes of gas and not densities, so you get more fuel for your money.