How to Reduce Gas Costs with Fuel Efficient Driving Tips

Drivers across the country are feeling the pain of record high gas prices.  Gas prices have risen nearly 82 cents since September 2010; the average price of regular gasoline in the US has jumped 33 cents per gallon in the last two weeks. A new survey says gas prices are expected to continue rising.

Instead of worrying about gas prices, which we cannot control, we should focus on driving efficiently. The best way to reduce gas costs is by investing in more fuel efficient vehicles and developing smart, fuel efficient driving habits.

Here are some high impact ways to reduce fuel consumption:

1. Select the most fuel efficient vehicle the journey.

Don't take the family SUV or a big truck when you can drive a smaller and more fuel efficient vehicle.

2.Take the Junk Out of Your Car

The heavier your car is, the more gas it burns. Remove all the excess stuff (golf clubs, ski racks) from your car when you're not using it. Carrying around items you don't need only will make your vehicle's fuel economy worse.

3. Don't Let Your Vehicle Warm Up Before You Start Driving

Modern vehicle technology built in the past 10 years allows your car to operate at very near its top efficiency the moment it starts. Letting a car idle while you wait for the engine to warm up or for the heater to kick in is a waste of gas.

4. Turn the Vehicle Off When You're Not Driving

If you pull over for a phone call or are picking up someone, turn the car off  while you are not driving. Letting a car idle when you're just sitting there is simply a waste of gas. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and emits more pollution than restarting your car. Turn the car off if you're not moving.

5. Drive Slower and Less Aggressively

Obey speed limits, accelerate and stop gradually, and anticipate stops. Obeying the speed limit can save you a lot of money. Don't be a lead foot,  peeling out at stops. Jack-rabbit starts waste gas and only get you to the next traffic light faster, where your car will idle longer. Always  drive at or below the speed limit on the highway. A good rule of thumb is that for every 10 mph faster you drive, you reduce fuel economy by about 4 mpg,  regardless of vehicle size. Additionally, cruise control can help you maintain a steady speed which helps to improve fuel efficiency.

6. Regularly Check Tire Pressure

Make  sure you check your tire PSI when the tires are cold.. Maintaining the correct PSI, or pounds per square inch, in your car's tires will give you better gas mileage, so check pressures once a month before you start driving and add air accordingly. If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitor system -- now standard equipment on all new cars -- don't dismiss any alarms as false. Pressure increases as you drive and tires warm up, so a low-pressure alarm when you start driving that goes away later means tire pressure is on the border of being too low and should be adjusted. Check your owner's manual or the label on the inside of the driver's door for the correct PSI rating. The number on the tire's sidewall is the maximum PSI and should not be used.