How to Save Car Gas Money

With gasoline prices setting new records for all-time highs and the threat of their upward soar continuing, everyone's looking to get better mileage and save money at the pumps. Keep reading for 8 simple and low-cost ways you can reduce your gas spending today.

1. Buy a hybrid

Easier said than done, buying a hybrid car is a big initial investment. But with mileage as high as 50 miles to the gallon, a hybrid can save you thousands of dollars every year. The amount you save on gasoline over the course of a few years will compensate for the cost of the vehicle.

2. Pump up your tires

A car with under-inflated tires uses approximately 6 percent more gas than a car with properly filled tires. If you don't know the correct tire pressure for your car, check for a label in your car that displays this information - usually along the edge of the driver side door or inside the gas cap cover. If not there, check the car's user guide. Then use a reliable air pressure gauge to make the determination.

3. Get a regular oil change

Clean oil will reduce the friction between the moving parts in your engine, meaning your car will run more efficiently and you can reduce your fuel consumption by about 3 percent. The oil in your vehicle should be changed every 3000 - 5000 miles.

Also check your oil level weekly to ensure none is leaking. This will help ensure you are not loosing oil - as vehicles tend to do as they age - and also allows you to see quickly if the oil is becoming dirty to quickly. If so, make your oil changes closer to 3000 miles than higher.

4. Drive slower

The magic number for maximum fuel efficiency is approximately 55 miles per hour. For every 5 miles over, it will cost you approximately an extra 3 percent per gallon.

5. Avoid fast stops and starts

You can conserve a fair amount of gas by avoiding fast stops and starts. Instead of screeching to a stop at traffic lights and then speeding away, come to a slow and steady stop. You should slow down and speed up as gradually and smoothly as possible.

6. Replace the air filter

Like a clogged lint trap, a dirty air filter will reduce your car's efficiency and increase fuel consumption. Have your air filter checked when you get your oil changed, or replace it yourself. It's a cheap and easy fix that most people can do; check your car manual for instructions.

7. Clear out that junk

If you've got mountain bikes on your roof and a trunk full of golf clubs or junk, you could be spending a fortune on unnecessary fuel consumption. For every 100 pounds of cargo that a car carries, the gas mileage is reduced by about 2 percent!

If you carry sand or other heavy objects in your trunk during the winter months to help with rear wheel drive traction, be sure to remove it after the cold season.

8. Use your vents, not your air conditioner

Most car owners know that running the air conditioner can cost a lot in gas but don't also realize that open windows can increase your drag, resulting in additional gasoline usage. Your best option is to use your vents to get fresh air circulating and keep you cool in moderate weather.

Save the air conditioner for the more intense heat. In fact, during steady highway driving, using your AC is actually preferable to open windows to save on fuel usage.

For the most part, saving money on your gasoline expense is common sense and relatively simple to accomplish.