10 Tips on How to Save Gas

High gas prices are a reality, but there's no reason to pay more than you have to. Keep more money in your wallet and less money in the hands of the gas companies by implementing some (or all) of these gas-saving tips:

1. Unload your car.
Every 100 pounds of unnecessary weight decreases your car's gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Unload your car of all the extras you don't use on the regular basis - this may include removing the roof rack, the hitch, and even dropping a few pounds yourself. Dirt and grime count too, so keep your vehicle clean inside and out.

2. Change your driving habits.
Are you a stop-and-go driver? Are you a speeder? Do you break at the last minute? This behavior is rough on your car and rough on your gas mileage. Keep a steady speed and ease into stops. Experts also suggest to stay at or below 55 mph on the highways, saying higher speeds consume gas at a higher rate. At high speeds, though, without stop-and-go traffic use cruise control. A steady pace uses fuel more efficiently.

3. Use your air conditioner.
You read that right. At high speeds, your car will actually use less gas if you have the air conditioner on rather than the windows down. Most experts estimate that the change occurs at speeds of 35 and over. Also, use the max setting on the air conditioner. It may sound like it'll use more gas, but it actually runs more efficiently, recycling the cool air instead of making new cool air.

4. Avoid idling.

One minute of idling equals using the same amount of gas as one start-up. Skip the drive-thru and park.

5. Plan trips.

This seems obvious, but planning your car trips can save you loads on gas. What I like to do is make a list of all the errands I need to run in a day, I group the ones in the same area and decide which ones I can put off for another day or two (till I have more in that area to do). The benefits on planning your errands are more than just saving gas: It saves me time, saves my car some wear and tear, and shaves money off my gas bill.

6. Use credit cards or gift cards.