My family has been attempting to practice gas conservation for the past year, when gas prices have only gone one direction – up. We have been told for years, by the conservationists and advocates for the environment among others, that high gas consumption destroys our planet. To be honest, I have pooh-poohed this and dismissed their claims – until the high cost of gas has really started to hurt our pocketbooks. Not only does is it painful at the pump, but I have found that the high cost of gas has affected almost everything – especially the cost of food.
So, what exactly have we done to curb this pain? Below, I have listed our feeble attempts to save on our gas bill.

1. Plan your trips.

• Here’s one example: Instead of separating trips to the grocery store and dry cleaners, combine them into one trip. One thing my wife has been doing lately is working her errands around our kids’ activities. It requires more planning and time management on her part, but we have found that she has eliminated extra trips to Target and Publix, and she will now stop on her way to pick up or drop a child off.
  

2. Plan the most stop free route.

• It is well know that frequent stops suck gas. If at all possible, take the freeway. If not, plan your route that requires the fewest number of stop lights. Try and plan your trips when there is less traffic.
  

3. Use you highest mileage cars for running trips.

• If you have more than one vehicle, then this is another option to consider. Instead of using your gas-guzzling SUV, try using your economy compact for running errands. We have tried this in our own situation. My wife used to only drive her minivan. A year ago, she started using my Toyota Avalon for her errands, and it has made a difference. Her minivan no longer needs a full tank every week, but every other week instead.
  

4. Check you tire pressure.

• Another well-known tip is to keep your tires at the pressure recommended by manufacturers to save gas. Checking the tire pressure of my vehicles has become a weekly ritual for me.
  

5. Use internet sources to find cheaper gas.

• There are many around, and my favorites are GasBuddy.com and Gas Prices on MSN Autos (see the links provided below). Try and find gas stations offering cheaper gas stations that are close by; it is not worth driving miles to save pennies a gallon.
  

6. Reduce the car weight.

• Another common-sense tip is to remove extra stuff from the trunk of your vehicle that you don’t need. Vehicles with extra weight will require more gas to run!
  

7. Light on the gas pedal.

• Yet another tip often repeated, especially when gas prices skyrocket. Just remember, thunder foot = mega-sized gas bill!
  

8. Avoid weaving through traffic.

• A common practice for the impatient driver is to weave in and out of traffic, changing lanes and cutting people off – all to save three seconds. This is also wasting gas. It may save you a little time, perhaps a few seconds at the end, but think about the higher probability of accidents that may occur. More importantly, this type of driving also wastes gas.
  

9. Avoid rush hour.

• When you are sitting in traffic and you not moving, you’re idling. Remember, Idle = Zero miles per gallon!
  

10. Car Pool.

• If you have to drive your kids to school, try a car pool. Instead of driving them five times a week, try to carpool with other families so each drives less. This equates to significant savings. My wife, for example, belongs to a carpool for our son’s school when she only drives once a week. On her carpool day, she drives a total of 80 miles to and from the school, including the picking up and dropping off of the other four kids. If she didn’t belong to a carpool, she would be logging 400 miles a week. This is a savings of 320 miles a week, and about two tanks of gas! Wow!
  

11. Don’t use the AC if you do not need to.

• Again, using the AC instead of air vents means you are using more gas. This is easier said than done for us Floridians who need AC during at least 6 months of hot and humid weather.
  

12. Use Regular unleaded gas unless you car specifically calls for Premium unleaded.

• Just the cost savings per gallon between the two grades adds up in the long run!
  

13. Change oil in your vehicle when recommended by the manufacturer.

• We try and change oil every 3000 miles in our vehicles, as recommended by the manufacturers. This helps the engines run more efficiently, hopefully resulting in less gas usage.
  

14. Get a gas rebate credit card.

• Although this tip does not directly relate to saving on gas consumption, it saves you money. I have written another Hub Page on that subject, go check it out.
  

This list is by no means comprehensive. There are many other things you can do to save gas. These are just some of the things my family has tried, and the monthly savings of a few dollars here and there, do add up. Now that my wife plans her errands and trips to Target, Walmart and the mall has made a significant difference – she no longer jumps in the car and gallivants just for the heck of it! Not only does this save gas, she rarely comes home with unnecessary purchases.

In the links section are some helpful links for finding the best gas prices. You locate the lowest prices by entering your zip code, city/state, or address. My personal favorite is the MSN link.