Gas prices have inflated every year, and are fast approaching $4.00 a gallon. The price of gas has increased at a degree never before seen in the history of the United States.  At just $3.00 a gallon, the average individual spends over $2,250 on gas each year. A family of two will spend almost $5,000.

That is simply too much money. Saving even a fraction of that money can represent thousands of dollars over the course of just a few years. That’s why it is important to look for as many ways as possible to improve fuel economy.

Ways to Improve Fuel Economy

1) Drive at a moderate speed

Stopping and starting is bad for your car, and can cause it to use gas quickly, as can driving slowly, where fuel is being used for no real gain. But moving too quickly is also tough on your engine, as it needs to work very hard in order maintain the high speeds. If you can drive anywhere between 40 and 55 miles per hour, this is the ideal speed to maximize fuel efficiency.

2) Stop/Slow early

If you see a red light coming up, start slowly breaking early. This prevents two significant causes of poor gas efficiency. First, stopping quickly puts strain on your engine, heating it up and causing the gas to be used more quickly. Second, if you are a decent enough distance away and the light turns green, you can speed up easier because you are already moving, thus negating even more strain on your engine and helping your gas last longer. Some individuals like to speed up before they stop hoping that they’ll hit the green light. These same individuals spend hundreds more per year on gas without realizing it.

3) Make sure you have tightened your gas cap

When gas is exposed to air it starts to evaporate. If you gas cap isn’t tight enough, air could get into your fuel supply causing you to lose gas in a way that could have been prevented. It is estimated that 147 million gallons of gas each year simply evaporate before use.

4) Buy gas when the weather is cooler

This is one of the least well known ways to improve fuel economy, but it is also one of the easiest. Every individual is charged for gas by volume – that is, the amount of liquid that flows through the nozzle. However, gas expands when it is warm and concentrates when it is cold. So by buying gas when it is cold outside, you are receiving more gas per volume than you would if you bought it during the heat of day.

5) Check your tires

Keeping your tires inflated can improve fuel economy dramatically. Deflated tires, even those that are not noticeably out of air, account for 25% of all fuel lost. Checking your tires constantly and ensuring they are properly filled is vital to keeping your car running at its best.

By utilizing these five tips, it is possible to save thousands of dollars in just a fuel years by improving your fuel efficiency and ensuring you get the most miles per gallon out of your fuel.