Save Money at the Gas Pumps

I filled up my tank today and it cost $67.53. Talk about sticker shock. I was furious. What happened to the good ole days when I could fill up for $40? The second I got home I started doing some research on how to save some money instead of watching it go up in smoke (literally). Here is what I found:

• Stop speeding, rapid acceleration and unnecessary braking. According to www.fueleconomy.gov, every 5 mph over 60 mph you drive costs the equivalent of 10 cents per gallon. Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed during highway driving.
• Don't leave your car idling. Believe it or not, restarting your car uses less gas than keeping it running for more than a minute or two.
• Lighten your load. The heavier your car is the more gas your car uses.
• Roll down your windows. Running your air-conditioner forces your engine to use 10-15% more fuel.
• Keep your car in tip top shape. If your air filter is clogged or your tires aren't properly inflated, you are getting less miles per gallon (some experts think as much as 15%).
• Do some research. www.gasbuddy.com will help you find those stations with the cheapest gas in your area. Word to the wise: don't drive 20 miles to save a penny a gallon on gas, the math doesn't work out. Also, AAA has some great tools to plan your summer road trip. These include www.fuelcostcalculator.com. It is like MapQuest for gas costs. Simply put in your departure city, arrival city and make/model of your car and voila--it will tell you how many greenbacks for petrol you will need.

These are just some of the minor things you can do to improve the amount of money you spend on fueling your car. Other simple ideas include consolidating your trips out. Instead of making a bunch of trips during rush hour, get up early on Saturday and run your errands. Consider car pooling or flex scheduling work (if possible). Finally, consider going green on your next car purchase. Whether it is a hybrid or biofuel car, every bit makes a difference. Safe driving.