You’ve probably been driving for many years and when you learned how to drive the price of gas was no doubt considerably cheaper than it is now.  You might remember as a teen driver, it was cool to drive fast, peel out, stop suddenly and just drive for entertainment.

Those habits were excused because you were young and the cost of gas was nothing compared to costs today.  Almost everyone drove impatiently and in a hurry to get wherever it was they were going if they were going anywhere at all.  You didn’t mind being called the one with the lead foot.

We’re being forced to learn how to drive all over again because of the high cost of gas and to make an effort to save at the pump.  Buying gas is something we must do all too often, sometimes weekly to get us to work and other necessary destinations.  It’s not a bill that just comes around monthly such as utilities.  It has become a constant strain on our cash flow.

Perhaps the best lesson to be learned is to drive calmly, slow down and be patient.  Drive as though there is a cup of hot coffee on your dashboard and you’re doing your best not to spill it.  This will not only save gas but be safer as well.

The faster you drive the more fuel you’re using.  55 mph is the optimum speed on the highway.  Authorities are again considering making 55 mph required on all highways in an effort to mandate fuel conservation.  If they do that, you’ll be well ahead of the game.  On some highways in west Texas you can drive legally 80 mph.  Gas mileage drops dramatically at this speed.

Don’t drive erratically.  Strive for smooth starts and stops.  Pick a lane and stay in it without weaving in and out of traffic.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  If you can cut the number of miles driven by only 5% it can save you up to $100 or more a year.  Doesn’t sound like much, but it can mean a free tank of gas or two.

Travel lightly.  Do away with the roof top luggage rack and save another 5% by reducing the air drag and weight.  Make sure your trunk is empty too or the extra weight will add 2% to your gas bill for each 100 pounds.  Small things add up quickly.  Make sure they add up to your benefit.

Perhaps when you were young and learning to drive your mom or dad instructed you to let the car engine idle and warm up for a few minutes before driving.  This is not needed now.  Late model cars are designed to be driven almost immediately with warm up time cut to only a few seconds.

Gas up in the coolest part of the day.  When gas is hot the volume increases and could leak out or spill over the top. Use the lowest octane your vehicle can tolerate without pinging.  Stay cool and get your money’s worth.

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Old habits are hard to break. We get used to doing things a certain way and we’re not interested in changing no matter what. But with gasoline exceeding four dollars a gallon we’re rethinking our old driving habits to see if we can cut down on fuel consumption.

Fuel efficiency can be done in a number of ways. If we can just add a mile or two per gallon here and another there it will add up to significant savings over a period of time. Oil is a non-renewable resource and when we save on gas, it helps us with our reduced dependency on foreign oil. Over 50% of our gas comes from foreign lands!

Many of our bad old habits can be logged under one heading: Drive Sensibly. Avoid aggressive driving. In other words steer clear of rapid acceleration and quick braking. This alone can lower gas mileage up to 33%.

Of course you don’t speed. Do you? Speeders rarely get to their destination much earlier than law abiders and waste a lot more gas. Gas usage goes up considerably at speeds over 60 mph. For each 5 mph your drive over 60 you can add an additional 30 cents a gallon to your bill.

When you’re on the highway, use cruise control, which helps maintain a constant speed. Use the highest gear possible and overdrive gears if you have them. The faster an engine is turning the more gas you’re using. Pay attention to your tachometer. Plus, a slower turning engine means less friction and engine wear.

Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. It doesn’t get much worse than that. If you’re stopped for a train or backed up in a fast food take out line or waiting for a drive thru bank teller stop your engine if you’re going to be idling for more than 30 seconds. The bigger your vehicle the more gas you’re using even when idling. It costs less to restart than idle.

Turn off the air conditioning. It may get hot but try opening a window and breathe in the fresh air. An air conditioner can lower your mileage by two to three miles per gallon.

Is this trip necessary? Don’t drive until you have several errands or appointments to combine. Avoid doing these errands during peak rush times. If possible, and the distance is short, try walking or riding a bicycle.

Know where you’re going before you start out. Don’t drive around looking for something. I’m afraid the good old days of dragging Main Street with friends are gone. Now, it’s called car-pooling and friends who share the gas bill or drive next time. Public transportation is also a good option. Changing bad driving habits doesn’t cost you a thing and will pay you big dividends in fuel economy and saving money.

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