about saving fuel and improving the fuel economy that you get

With gas getting close to $3.00 a gallon these few tips could potentially save you a substantial amount of money. Everyone always sends around chain e-mails about not buying gas on a certain day or boycotting the larger oil companies but these things just will not work in the long run. The oil companies will still make their money regardless if you buy gas on Tuesday or on Wednesday because you need fuel for your daily life. One thing that WILL lead to lower prices without a doubt (and most economists agree on this fact) is a reduction in fuel consumption. If the US consumed 10% less fuel overall then we would see prices dip below $2 a gallon again. So even if you drive a large SUV, a hybrid, or a midsize you can benefit greatly from these tips:

• Observe the speed limit or try to drive 5 mph below the limit. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 is like paying an additional $0.19 per gallon. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
• Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG 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. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml
• Avoid excessive warm-up time. Modern engines do not require it. http://www.womanmotorist.com/index.php/news/main/1880/event=view
• Avoid jack-rabbit starts – accelerate smoothly and slowly rather than stepping hard on the gas pedal. http://www.womanmotorist.com/index.php/news/main/1880/event=view
• When a car is idling, it is using fuel, yet not going anywhere. This translates to 0 mpg. When you leave your car running while you are waiting in line at the drive-thru, or as you wait outside your kids' school, you are wasting fuel. It is more efficient to turn the engine off while you wait and then restart the car. If that's not practical (like in the line at McDonald's), then park the car and go inside instead. http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/103164/article.html
• Running your air conditioner does cause your vehicle to consume more fuel, but driving with your windows rolled down can be even worse due to the increase of drag on the vehicle. If you are driving slowly, such as around town or in city traffic, then you are better off leaving your windows open, if at all possible. For highway driving, roll up the windows and turn the air conditioning on. http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/103164/article.html
• Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement". http://www.howtoadvice.com/SavingGas
• Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas. http://www.howtoadvice.com/SavingGas