Alliance to Save Energy Offers Consumer Tips for Saving Money at the Pump as Gas Prices Rise, Middle East Situation Rages

As conflict in the Middle East continues to rage and gasoline prices climb, the Alliance to Save Energy offers tips to improve vehicle fuel economy and lower gasoline bills during the heaviest spring/summer driving season:

• Be sure to refuel your rental car before returning it, or you may be hit with rates approaching $5 a gallon for a fill-up. In some locations, some rental companies also slap on an additional refueling surcharge.
• When buying a new vehicle, think high gas mileage. Check out the Department of Energy website and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy website for information on fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Curtail aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and rapid braking all waste gas - and curb mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to DOE. Nix jack-rabbit starts, opting instead for slow acceleration from a dead stop.
• Show your vehicle a little TLC. Keep your car properly tuned up, and change the air filter regularly, both to save gas and to protect your engine.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated - not only to increase fuel economy, but also to make tires safer and extend their life.
• Slow down! Speeding wastes gas - and your money. Each mile per hour you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon, DOE says.
• Use the recommended grade of motor oil to maximize fuel economy. Look for the "Energy Conserving" label that ensures friction-reducing additives inside.
• If your vehicle has an overdrive gear, use it when appropriate to reduce engine speed, save gas, and decrease engine wear.
• Use cruise control on highway trips to maintain a steady speed and help cut fuel consumption.
• Pack lightly when traveling, and avoid carrying items on the vehicle's roof.
• Avoid excessive idling, which gets 0 mph. Cars with larger engines typically waste even more gas at idling than cars with smaller engines.
• If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
• Combine your errands into one trip to save on fuel.
• Whenever possible, take advantage of carpools and public transportation.