The high prices at the pump have made more people start thinking about reducing gas consumption. Gone are the days when you filled up that SUV without a second thought. In addition to high fuel costs, more people are becoming concerned about emissions and the greenhouse effect they are believed to cause. Whether you are concerned about saving money or the environment, there are things you can do to burn less fuel in your vehicle.

How you drive affects the amount of fuel you will consume. Drive at or below the speed limit, rather than going too fast. Driving at high speeds on a regular basis can increase your consumption by ten percent. Not only is speeding dangerous, but wastes gas. If you drive an automatic, shift as soon as possible. Revving the engine between gears increases your consumption as well.

Don't accelerate unnecessarily. Braking repeatedly increases consumption considerably, especially when the practice is habitual. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you and maintain a steady driving speed. Speeding up and braking repeatedly isn't only annoying and dangerous, but burns more fuel as well.

Don't idle for a long period of time. Turn off the engine, rather than idling for long periods. Do this while waiting for your kids to get off the school bus or when stopped for a period of time for a traffic accident. One of the reasons hybrid automobiles are so fuel efficient is that the gas engine is automatically turned off when the brake is applied.

Lighten the weight load you are carrying in your vehicle. The more the car weighs the more gas you will consume. Empty the trunk and back seat of all unnecessary baggage that adds weight. At the end of the winter, remove sand bags and other equipment you have been carrying in case you get stuck in the snow. You don't need these things in July.

Minimize the number of trips in your vehicle. Run several errands all at once, rather than taking short, frequent trips to run one errand at a time. This saves not only gas, but time as well. If you are only going down the street, consider walking. Meditate on the beauty of God's world and say a prayer of thanks. This is great exercise and good for the soul as well as your pocketbook.

The condition of your car affects how much gas it burns. Regular maintenance will keep your car running well and as a result, consume less fuel. Give it a regular tune up. Replace spark plugs and wires. Change the oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filters as needed. Regular tune ups will help the car run better and stop wasting fuel.

If you still think you are burning too much gas, have the car checked for leaks. Gas or oil leaks increase your consumption. While you are at it, check the fluid levels every month. You can do this yourself, or take the vehicle to a service station. Top off the fluid levels as needed. This will keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

Inspect the tires regularly. Keep them inflated to the highest pressure recommended in your owner's manual. When you have the vehicle serviced, consider having the alignment checked. Have them rotated and replaced as needed. Excessive drag on the tires burns more gas. Regular tire maintenance can reduce this drag and save money.

Use your air conditioning only when needed. Using the air all the time can increase your fuel consumption by ten percent. To keep the car cool, consider using a window shade and park in the shade. This can keep your vehicle from getting too hot. You may not need the air conditioning, and do use the air, it will cool down considerably faster.

The aerodynamic design of the car can affect how much fuel you burn. The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less drag that is created as it moves through the air. Less resistance amounts to less gas used. Extra features like roof racks and fancy spoilers can increase the drag and increase your consumption.

Maintaining your car will help control your fuel consumption and increases safety. It also increases the resale value of your vehicle. People are more likely to purchase a used vehicle if it is in good condition. Regular washing and waxing protects the paint finish. Don't forget the headlights. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition. Learn more about this product at www.mdwholesale.com