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Just this morning I paid $4.05 per gallon to fill my car. Last time I filled it, it was $3.55 per gallon. Ouch. And while I drive a Volkswagen Golf, I tend to have a heavy right foot. I like to power up hills and get up to speed as quickly as possible - it makes the trip just a tad more fun, evening if I don’t save that much time. 

But now I’m changing my old habits to a new game: how high can I push my mpg? A little digging around has found a few things you can do to increase their mileage above your car’s E.P.A. rating:

1. Accelerate gradually. That lead foot uses a lot of gas in a very short time. In fact hard braking and acceleration can cost you as much as 30% in fuel. 30%!

2. Keep your car clean: changing filters and oil regularly keeps your engine efficient. Use the recommended oil - heavier oil equals less efficiency.

3. Remove the roof rack - that consumes about 5% more fuel.

4. Keep your tires at full pressure - they roll more efficiently. Underinflated tires can cost you 2% in fuel economy if 5 pounds low. A 2001 Department of Transportation study found that 40% of passenger cars had at least one underinflated tire.

5. Obey those speed limits. The faster you drive, the more fuel you burn due to aerodynamic drag. It ranges about 10% more to go 65 miles per hour versus 55 and 17% more to go 70 mph. I know this can sometimes be hard!

6. Park so you can pull forward instead of backing up. Backing up consumes much more fuel. I know that’s not always possible, but something to take advantage of when the opportunity is there. The little things really do add up.

7. Use cruise control on the highway - it’ll avoid unintended fluctuations in speed, which uses more fuel.

8. Combine those trips. Did you know that 90% of car pollution occurs in the first 90 seconds at start up?

9. For manual shifters, shift up to the next gear as soon as possible.

For additional info, check out the following sites: www.fueleconomy.gov and Canada’s Autosmart Guide 

When you’re considering whether to replace your car or keep it, consider the benefits of maintaining and driving your car to 200,000 miles or more. While we love what hybrids do for the environment and clearing the air in your local economy, manufacturing the lithium batteries they require produces a significant amount of carbon.

According to the June, 2008 issue of Wired Magazine, you’d have to drive your new Prius 100,000 miles before seeing the environmental benefit over driving a late 90’s Toyota Tercel. Now if you have a gas guzzler, that’s a different story. And if your car’s dying, a hybrid should definitely be on the list. It’s also not uncommon to drive a Prius for 250,000 miles or more. 

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