7 Ways to Improve Your Gas Mileage and Save Money

7 Ways to Improve Your Gas Mileage and Save Money

By Larry Lane for InvestorZoo.com

Americans love their cars. The typical family with 2 cars spends about $3,000 per year on gasoline. While you can't control the price of gas, you can control your gas mileage and the efficiency of your vehicle. Here's a brief checklist to improving your gas mileage.

1) Gas prices vary by a couple of cents to a dime from station to station. Do a search on your favorite search engine for "best gas prices." Saving just $5.00 per week will put $250 in your pocket per year.

2) Tune ups: Only get a tune-up if you need one. You may increase your mileage by a few percent; however the average tune up may cost $200 or more. If it is time for a tune-up, don't ignore you car's needs. It will help keep your car efficient, on the road longer and improve your overall mileage 5-10%.

3) Drive 55 or the local speed limit. Every 5 miles per hour over 55 will cost you 5% or more in fuel efficiency.

4) Replace your old oil and air filters. Oil filters should be changed with each oil change and air filters about every 5,000 miles. They're cheap and pretty easy to change.

5) Properly inflate your tires. People made fun of John McCain when he suggested everyone inflate their tires correctly during the Presidential race. However his advice was 100% correct. Properly inflate your tires and you'll increase your gas mileage by about 3%. Check your owner's manual for proper recommended levels.

6) Oil Changes: The cheapest oil change may cost you long term. By going to the local $9.95 oil change garage, you may be doing more harm than good. Cheap oil and cheap filters may leave sludge in your engine and decrease the lifetime of your car as well as your fuel effiency. My mechanic recommends high grade Mobile Oil or synthetic oil.

7) If you don't need your air conditioner, don't use it. Air conditioning and open windows will decrease your mileage by 2-6%.

If you can improve your mileage just 10%, you can pocket $300 or more annually. In addition, you'll keep your car happy and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle.

Larry Lane is the editor for InvestorZoo.com, a social media website specializing in personal finance. Email comments and questions to Larry.Lane@InvestorZoo.com