How to conserve gas (save money)
When gas prices are at a record-hig, following simple gas conservation can turn into a few dollars savings each time you fill up.

driving tips

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Slow down: Fuel economy decreases substantially at speeds above 55 miles per hour. According to www.fueleconomy.gov, "Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon."
Cruise: Set your cruise control to maintain a constant speed.
Overdrive: If your car has overdrive, use it. It reduces fuel consumption during highway driving.
Drive steady: Try to avoid extreme acceleration. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
Don't tailgate: It leads to unnecessary braking and acceleration.
Don't idle: Start the car only when you're ready to go.
Less AC: Limit the use of the air conditioner whenever possible, particularly at speeds under 40 miles per hour. Your owners manual should tell you how your AC affects your gas consumption.

Auto maintenance tips
Tune Up: A properly tuned automobile car gets 6 to 20 percent higher mile per gallon.
Fresh air: Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Stay inflated: Make sure that your tires are inflated properly and that your wheels are properly aligned.

planning tips
Plan ahead: Try not to make multiple trips. Combine more than one errand. If you are taking a trip, start early in the day while traffic is light. Plan to stop for meals at times when traffic is heavy.
Bring a map: Getting lost can waste a lot of gas.
Get it straight: Plan out the most direct route ahead of time.
Carpool: hleps you and others save money at the same time.
Lighten up: Added weight lowers fuel economy, so lighten the load in the trunk whenver possible.

at the pump tips
Stay cool: Fill up in the early morning or on cooler days -- colder gasoline is more compact, so you'll get more drops of the precious fluid for your dollars.
Proper gas: Purchase only gas that is the correct octane as specified by your car's manufacturer.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy; www.fueleconomy.gov