Released: April 30, 2008

Sneaky ways to get better gas mileage

Source: Jacqueline Mitchell, Forbes.com (LA Times) (Free Registration)

Motorists looking to save as much as 32 cents on a gallon of gas needn’t drive across state lines in search of cheaper prices at the pump.

The answer is right under the hood. That’s because more frequent air filter changes can improve your vehicle’s gas mileage by as much as 10%, the Car Care Council says. The filter keeps dirty particles from damaging the inside of your engine and helps it run more efficiently. The council, a consumer advocacy group that promotes vehicle maintenance, recommends checking the filter each time you change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Other fuel-saving measures include keeping tires properly inflated, reducing your load and avoiding long idles. These adjustments have never been more important. Last week, the nationwide average price for regular gas pushed toward $3.50 a gallon, and prices are expected to rise, some say, to as much as $4 by summer.

Read Full Article: Sneaky ways to get better gas mileage