Sneaky Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage

Motorists looking to save as much as 32 cents on a gallon of gas needn't drive across state lines in search of cheaper prices at the pump.

The answer is right under your hood. That's because frequent air filter changes can improve your vehicle's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, the Car Care Council says. The filter keeps dirty particles from damaging the inside of your engine and helps it run more efficiently. The council, a consumer advocacy group that promotes vehicle maintenance, recommends checking the filter each time you change the oil.

Other fuel-saving measures include keeping tires properly inflated, reducing your load and avoiding long idles.

Checklist: 10 Sneaky Ways To Save On Fuel

These adjustments have never been more important. The nationwide average price for regular gas has topped $3.50 a gallon, and prices are expected to rise to as much as $4 by summer.

"You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by proper maintenance and how you drive," says Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1,200 a year."

Top Tips

We compiled 10 key fuel-saving tips and their estimated fuel savings from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Car Care Council and the Federal Trade Commission.

But before you start calculating potential savings, realize that the number of miles saved per gallon of gas will vary depending on your rate of speed and amount of city versus highway driving.

One immediate step you can take is to obey the speed limit. Aggressive drivers can save as much as 49 cents per gallon if they ease up on the gas and brakes, according to the Car Care Council. You can save about 10 cents a gallon by observing the speed limit and using cruise control during highway driving.

Using the manufacturer's recommended level of octane gas and grade of oil also makes a difference. Luxury and high-performance cars usually require premium gas, which has a higher level of octane to prevent engine knocking or rattling. But most vehicles do just fine on regular gas. It costs less than premium gas, which now averages almost 30 cents more per gallon than regular gasoline.

The FTC says using premium gas in place of regular adds no benefits for cars that don't require it. And using a lower grade of oil than recommended will cost you 3 to 6 cents a gallon less, according to the EPA, which publishes fuel-saving tips at www.fueleconomy.gov. The website is maintained by the EPA and the United States Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Watching your weight also fattens your wallet. Piling heavy items on the roof rack will create additional cargo space, particularly in small cars, but it will decrease fuel economy by 5 percent, according to the EPA.

Car owners should beware of products that promise to improve fuel economy, some by as much as 20 percent. These include fuel additives that claim to improve fuel economy and ignition devices that attach to or replace part of an existing ignition system. The FTC and EPA warn that such claims are false.

The bottom line: If a new car isn't in your immediate future, don't sweat. By making a few lifestyle changes, you can still get some relief at the gas pump.

Checklist: 10 Sneaky Ways To Save On Fuel