Tips to cut down on gasoline costs:

NOTE: We'll be adding to this list as we come across new ideas for saving on gas (submit yours here) so if you discover idea overlap, please forgive the redundancy.

Stay put.  Travel only when necessary.  Consolidate trips.  Or here's a thought: don't go (if you don't have to).

Excercise.  On short trips, try walking, jogging, biking, or something really fun like rip-sticking. Side benefits are weight loss, muscle toning, and generally enhanced healthyness.

Share. Consider car-pooling make your friends pay for some of your gas.  Side benefit: get the gossip out of the way before it becomes the focus of your workday.

Plan ahead.  Always use the most direc, but efficient route and avoid fun sightseeing trips and frustating bottlenecks. Gone are the days of long, pointless drives into the countryside for no apparent reason.  Thanks Nanny and Pop-Pop... that was fun.

Consolidate.  Peform as many errands as possible in one trip.  Get that gallon of milk at 7-11 while you're there even though it costs a bit more than the Wal-Mart 30 miles away.  Be organized.

Travel smarter.  If possible, avoid driving during rush-hour & other peak traffic periods.  You know, go into work at 5 am and leave at 7 pm.  Side benefit: boss sees unparalelled dedication, gives huge raise.

Shop smarter.  When bargain hunting, check newspaper ads, Craigslist, eBay, and the call around for the best price.

Order.  Do they deliver? Let them pay for the gas! Try mail order firms, too.

Stay away from the grocery.  Make a list and do all the grocery shopping as infrequently as possible.  Times have changed... change your processes.

Put the kids to work.  Let the kids run some of the errands. Let them walk to school, too... if safe.  When they mow the lawn, make sure they operate the mower for maximum miles-of-lawn-per-gallon.

Public transportation may be cheaper, especially when traveling alone.

Travel light.  Pack as little in your car as necessary so it has less weight to carry.

It all adds up. Shop around for service stations with the lowest gasoline prices.

Utilize the web for research on saving on fuel costs.  Hint, hint.

Don't speed. Cars get about 21% more mileage at 55 mph then at 70 mph.

Better planning reduces the need for speeding, to get there in time.

Don't idle.  When starting your car, don't idle it for more than 30 seconds, even in cold weather. Today's cars are designed to be driven almost immediately.

Don't idle II.  If you must stop for more than 30 seconds, don't idle your car. The engine is more fuel efficient if your turn it off and restart it.

Drive evenly with a steady foot. Avoid jiggling the accelerator.

Keep tires properly inflated at all times. (Check pressure when cold).

Use air conditioning only when necessary. If possible, open the window(s) when you're traveling under 60 mph to save fuel.

Avoid "jackrabbit" starts. When starting, press accelerator slowly.  Maybe this would be a great time to practice patience...

Avoid panic stops. When possible, coast to stops such as traffic lights.

Travel light.  Remove items that cause wind resistance, such as luggage racks, or the shed you keep forgetting to remove from the luggage rack.

Don't forget to release the emergency brake before pulling away.

Never rev engine before killing it. Although people around you will think you're super cool, this wastes gas, wears out cylinders, and makes you look immature.

Be informed.  Keep tuned to radio traffic reports & avoid traffic jams, other delays.  And when you're in the know... travel accordingly.

Make certain your gas cap fits snuggly.   Consider buying a gas cap lock that makes it fit REAL snuggly.

Use the lowest octane gas that won't make your engine knock.

Use only your right foot for accelerating and braking. That way you can't accidentally ride the brake and use excessive gas.

Shift into high gear as soon as possible. If you have automatic transmission, lift your foot from the accelerator about one second early. Master this, and over the course of your lifetime, you'll save an average of $2.23 in gas.  Hey, it adds up.

Pass other cars as soon as you see you are overtaking them. Don't wait.

Keep your car properly tuned for top fuel efficiency.  This is a biggy.

Keep brakes properly adjusted. Dragging brakes increases resistance.

Operate as small a car as possible for your driving needs. (Small cars weighing half as much as large cars use about half as much gasoline!)  Also, 1+1=2.

Avoid cars with newfangled gas-consuming options such as air conditioning; power equipment such as window, door locks, automatic transmission, gasoline-powered engines, etc.  Okay, just know what depletes power.

In hot climates, drive a car with light colored exterior and interior, to reflect light, heat. Tinted glass also prevents heat buildup.  Here in Florida, it's almost not an option.  Be like us.

Use radial tires for less friction between tire and road.

When driving, keep your eyes moving and your feet still!

Keep your steering wheel still too. The more you weave back and forth, the farther your car has to travel and the more gas is consumed.

Don't overfill your gas tank. It could leak or spill in heat or on a hill... or worse: it could leak onto your foot and make it smell like that stuff a gas station sells.

Use snow tires and/or chains as little as necessary because they make your car work harder and use more gasoline.  Here in Florida, we use chains infrequently... which is unfortunate, because they look cool.

When you see a hill ahead, build up speed before you reach it, then maintain your speed on the slope. (If you must accelerate on the hill, you will use much more fuel). Then coast down the other side.  Woooohoooo...

Keep wheels aligned for better mileage - longer tire life, too.

Record all gas purchases for tax deduction purposes, if applicable.  Don't take our word on this... consult the tax attorney you no doubt have.

Use your garage for your car. Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.

Edmunds - What really saves gas? And how much? (link)

Test #1 Aggressive Driving vs. Moderate Driving
Result: Major savings potential
The Cold Hard Facts: Up to 37 percent savings, average savings of 31 percent
Recommendation: Stop driving like a maniac.


Test #2 Lower Speeds Saves Gas
Result: Substantial savings on a long trip
Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14 percent savings, average savings of 12 percent
Recommendation: Drive the speed limit.


Test #3 Use Cruise Control
Result: Surprisingly effective way to save gas
Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14-percent savings, average savings of 7 percent
Recommendation: If you've got it, use it.


Test #4 A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down
Result: Nice in theory; not true in practice
Cold Hard Facts: No measurable difference (unless you open the sunroof, too!)
Recommendation: Please, make yourself comfortable.


Test #5 Check Your Tire Pressure
Result: Important for safety and to reduce tire wear
Cold Hard Facts: No measurable effect on the vehicles we tested
Recommendation: Check your tire pressure often but don't expect a big savings.


Test #6 Avoid Excessive Idling
Result: More important than we assumed
Cold Hard Facts: Avoiding excessive idling can save up to 19 percent
Recommendation: Stopping longer than a minute? Shut 'er down.

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