Gas Saving Tips

Consumer Reports' auto-test department reports that the air conditioner reduces your car's fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. So to achieve maximum fuel efficiency, motorists should avoid using the air conditioner at speeds below 40 mph and travel with their windows down.

But as your speed increases to 45 mph, or highway speeds, wind drag becomes an issue. Driving with the windows down increases the drag on your vehicle, resulting in decreased fuel economy by up to 10 percent. Drive at speeds over 55 mph with windows down and you'll decrease fuel economy by up to 20 percent or greater.

Tips to cool your vehicle down There are a few ways to cool your vehicle down faster — and cheaper — during the hot, summer months:

Park in the garage or in the shade or use windshield shades. Your car will be cooler when you first get in.

Open your windows and vents to blow the hot air out faster before turning your air conditioner on full blast.

Fan speed does not affect fuel economy. Turn the fan on the highest setting to cool the vehicle down faster, then adjust for comfort.

Select your vehicle's recycle-inside-air feature. It recirculates the cooling inside air, rather than pulling in the hot outside air.

Other tips to help save gas: - Driving aggressively out on the highway can lower your car's gas mileage by 33 percent. Driving with a lead foot around town can pull down your vehicle's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Slowly accelerate after each and every stop sign and stop light. Go easy on the accelerator out on the highway.

• Easy does it
• Be a smooth driver - Abrupt stops are not good for your car or your car's fuel efficiency. Anticipate stops when possible. Let your car coast to a stop. Use cruise control on the highway.
• Follow the speed limit - Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 17 percent. Obeying the speed limit is the safest and cheapest way to drive.
• Avoid rush hour. Not only is stop-and-go traffic stressful and annoying, it's bad for your car's gas mileage. Avoid driving at rush hour when possible.
• Combine trips - Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multi-stop trip of the same distance with a warm engine. Save fuel by taking the shortest route and combining errands.
• Travel light. Remove any excess items from your car. Less weight means better mileage. Carrying an extra 100 pounds in the trunk of your car may cut your car's fuel economy by 1 percent to 2 percent.
• Clear the roof. A loaded roof rack increases your car's air drag and can pull down your car's mileage by 5 percent.
• Don't idle - When you idle your car, its fuel economy crashes down to zero miles per gallon. The larger your engine the more gas you wind up wasting while idling your car.
• Watch your foot. Avoid resting your left foot on the brake while driving. The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will require additional gas. You'll also wear out the brakes sooner.