Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent months. When the gas prices were just $3.00 a gallon, the average family of two was spending $5,000 per year on gasoline alone. Now that it is nearing four dollars and shows no signs of slowing, the cost for the average family can be unbearable.

So if you are struggling to save money and looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency, there are several methods you can employ in order to save money on gas.

1. Travel between 35 and 55 MPH. Too slow and you are not using your gas effectively. Too fast and your engine is working too hard to keep you at the pace. 35 and 55 are the ideal MPG to ensure your gasoline is being used the most efficiently.
2. Gradually slow to a stop rather than quickly stepping on the pedal and stopping. This heats up your engine and causes it to use up gas faster. In addition, if the light turns green before you have come to a stop, speeding up will cause less harm on your engine than if you had been immobile.
3. Check your filters and ensure they are clean from debris. Replace them if necessary.
4. Check your spark plugs and your fuel injectors – these are easily replaceable pieces of equipment that, if old or damaged, can cost you hundreds of dollars in additional gasoline.
5. Make sure your tires are inflated. Deflated tires can cause 25% fuel efficiency loss or more, costing you at least one thousand dollars in additional gas each year.
6. Make sure your gas cap is tightened after every fill up. Loose gas caps cause your gas to evaporate before it is used to power your car.
7. Remove any extra weight from your car so that your engine does not have to work as hard.
8. Keep your car tuned. A tuned car is far less likely to burn gas, because it helps your engine run at its full potential.
9. Do not speed up when travelling up hills. Your car is having a difficult enough time fighting gravity. Adding the extra pressure will only cause it to work harder.
10. Refrain from using the air conditioner, as this uses up approximately 1 mile per gallon. That mile adds up to a significant amount over time.
11. Do not idle. Turn your car off if you are planning on sitting somewhere for more than a few seconds. Although gas is used when you turn your car back on, idling for a few minutes uses far more.
12. Use cruise control – By not shifting speeds (caused by human error) your engine will not need to work as hard and will have an easier time dealing with the road.
13. Use the correct octane level for your car. Using a higher quality octane for an engine that prefers regular octane can actually harm performance rather than help it.
14. Try not to buy gas when it is hot outside – this is more of a way of saving money than it is improving MPG, but gas expands in heat and concentrates in the cold. Gas companies charge you by volume (ie the amount of liquid) rather than by concentration. It is not much, but by filling up during the colder times of the day, you actually get a little bit more gas than if you fill up in the warmer weather.
15. Remove anything that causes air resistance – this includes bike racks, luggage racks, etc. Air resistance causes strain on your engine. The more aerodynamic your car is, the better gas mileage it receives.

Using these tips can save you and your family a thousand dollars a year on gas or more. They are not difficult to implement and can not only be beneficial to your wallet, but to the environment as well.