First, make sure that you are filling your tank with the recommended fuel octane rating. If you do not know offhand, your vehicle owners manual will give you that information. A lot of people automatically fill their tank with the least expensive fuel possible. While on some vehicles that is fine, others require a higher octane rating. Putting the proper grade in your car can save money on car repairs in the future.

Keep up with your car repair and maintenance. Small problems can, and more than likely will, lead to bigger problems. If your vehicle is overstressed in any area it will eventually show up at the gas station.

Keep the appropriate air pressure in your tires. Check your vehicle owners manual for the correct pressure. Low tire pressure will unnecessarily increase the tires wear and will waste fuel.

Make sure that you have your tires rotated and your wheels aligned and balanced on a regular schedule. Improper tire care will lead to higher fuel usage.

Excessive use of the air conditioner will raise fuel costs. Only run it when necessary. However, when driving at highway speeds, leave the windows closed to reduce drag, and it will be more economical to use the air conditioner.

The manner in which you drive and handle your vehicle effects fuel usage. Being too hard on a car will raise your fuel costs.

Drive at the recommended speed limit no matter where you are. The faster you drive the more fuel your car will require.

Avoid jumping into traffic if at all possible. Ideally, you want to accelerate smoothly, slowly, and safely. Try to maintain a constant speed. Excessive speeding up and slowing down wastes fuel, and does not really get you anywhere any faster.

Always try to maintain the recommended distance between vehicles. Sudden stopping and braking not only wastes fuel, but is hard on your brakes and entire vehicle.

If you drive a manual transmission, drive in the appropriate gear. If the road is level, you need to be in a high gear, and so forth.

Unnecessarily engine idling is uneconomical on fuel usage. Try not to idle if it is not necessary.

Following these precautions, will not only save you fuel, but will also save you money on regular maintenance and car repair. Most of these basic rules of the road are common sense. But the next time you pull up to refuel, remember that you do have some control over fuel economy.