In this day and age, the price of fuel has surely gone up, and it is probably safe to say that this trend will continue in the coming years.  Considering the rising prices of almost every other commodity, it is very important to know how to save and manage our budgets.  If you’re the type who drives your car every day (or as often as you can), you should know that stretching your fuel can not only save you extra money, it can also stretch the life of your car.

So, here are the top ten simple things that you must keep in mind to get more gas mileage:

1. Drive smoothly.  You should avoid heavy acceleration and sudden braking.  Extreme speeding, as well as rapid velocity changes can lower your gasoline mileage by 5%, when you are at lower speeds around a town, or even 33% when you often drive through highways and expressways.  Try to maintain constant speed as often as you can and use cruise control in major roads and free-flowing traffic.
2. Keep air filters clean.  If you replace your dirty and clogged air filters, it can improve gas mileage by 10%, as the air filter can protect the engine from impurities that would make it work extra hard, requiring more gas power.
3. Keep a well-tuned engine.  If your car has failed emission tests, is obviously out of tune, or has any problem that needs repair, you should solve the problem immediately.  On average, this can improve your mileage by 4%.
4. Make sure tires are in good condition.  The correct amount of tire air pressure can cut down on the fuel you use while driving by more than 3%, so always check that your tires are not over or under-inflated.
5. Use the recommended grade of engine oil.  Always follow your manufacturer’s specifications for the required motor oil to gain 2% increase in mileage.  It will also help to choose the motor oil that is labeled “energy-conserving”, as these types contain friction-reducing additives.
6. Choose a high-quality gasoline.  Top automakers claim that some carbon deposits may build up on critical engine parts, and this can decrease the power, performance, and fuel-efficiency of your vehicle.  Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen, among others recommend top tier detergent gasolines to help keep engines clean.  These high quality gasolines stop gunk build-up, resulting in the best possible car performance.
7. Minimize vehicle drag.  Do not take unnecessary items that add more weight and not much importance.  Keep your trunk and back seat clear of anything you don’t need.  A heavier car with excess weight will require more power.
8. Avoid idling.  Don’t think that if your car isn’t speeding, it can’t use gas.  Even when your car is idle, you can actually get zero miles per gallon.
9. Avoid higher speeds.  On the other side of the coin, avoid driving at very high speeds when not completely necessary.  Gas mileage decreases when you drive at speeds over 60 mph and beyond.
10. Plan your trips wisely.  Combining small errands and avoiding separate trips lessen unnecessary cold starts.  This is a good way to keep your engine running warm and more efficiently.

With these tips, not only will you be able to save more money on fuel, but also keep your car’s components in good condition.  To get hold of high-quality parts with great discounts, check Autopartsway.com.