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How to Save Gas and Get Better Fuel Economy

Saving money6 tips

You do not need a new car to spend less on gas. Small changes in how you drive and maintain your car can add 2 to 5 miles per gallon.

6 tips

Keep your tires at the pressure on the driver's door sticker, not the number on the tire sidewall. Underinflated tires can cut fuel economy by about 3 percent.
Drive smoothly. Jackrabbit starts and hard braking waste gas; steady speed and gentle acceleration can improve mileage by 10 to 30 percent on the highway.
Slow down on the highway. Most cars get their best mileage between 50 and 60 mph; every 5 mph over 50 is like paying an extra 20 to 30 cents per gallon.
Remove roof racks and heavy cargo when you do not need them. A roof rack can cut highway mileage by up to 10 percent, and 100 extra pounds costs about 1 percent.
Do not idle for more than 30 seconds. Restarting uses less fuel than idling for a minute, and modern engines do not need a long warm-up. Drive gently for the first few minutes instead.
Replace a dirty air filter. A clogged filter can cut mileage by up to 10 percent on older cars, and it costs little to swap.

Not repair advice. If you are not sure what is wrong, have it checked by a qualified technician.