* Let the car idle when you are making short stops to save on gas - MYTH. While there was a time when it would take more gas to start a car than it would to leave it idling, those days are long past. Fuel injected cars are very fuel efficient when starting up.



* Driving close behind an eighteen wheeler truck will let you use his drag to increase your own gas mileage - TRUTH and MYTH. There is some truth to the idea that getting behind a large truck will increase your gas mileage, but the increase is minimal and actually decreases the closer you get. For safety purposes (and since the savings really is minor) you will be better off to stay far enough behind the truck that you can see its mirrors).

* Turning off the air and rolling down the windows will help save on the gas your car uses - MYTH. Unless you are planning to drive around with the windows up the drag created will negate any savings.

* Use the best octane (highest quality of gas) available and you will get more miles per gallon - MYTH. Every car is different. Some cars will run less efficiently on the higher octane. You should check your owner's manual before incurring the extra expense.

* Empty the trunk - TRUTH. Having added weight in your trunk may be good for keeping you on winter roads, but it will increase the amount of gas you use.

* Fill up when the tank is half full - MYTH. Any savings you might get from keeping the tank full is lost due to the extra weight that comes from carrying around the extra gas.

There are a few tips that hold true for saving gas, but they are few and far between. Drive the speed limit, start and stop slowly and use the cruise control.