by Hugh Mann

Created on: July 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 18, 2009

Cutting driving expenses can be fun. The following 20 tips are culled from common sense, and other sources, like government, and will accomplish as much pinching as your lifestyle can tolerate. Each tip includes a comment that frames it in the perspectives of effort vs. benefit, intelligence vs. insanity, myth vs. mojo:

1) Always keep your tires inflated properly to reduce rolling drag. That is an order. Check the Constitution.

2) Get an alignment to save both gas and your tires. Alignments can cost upwards of $100 for all four tires, but what's $100 of gas these days anyway, a couple of teaspoons? Remember, Big Brother is watching you.

3) New spark plugs, air, and gas filters together reduce gas consumption by about 20%. These parts run about $100, but what's $100 of gas these days anyway, a tablespoon? Negligence is unpatriotic.

4) Accelerate as lightly as you can to use less gas, without invoking the life-threatening wrath of any drivers behind you. You have been warned.

5) Drive steadily and avoid deceleration/acceleration by using cruise-control. If you can avoid braking completely, try catching that on video and submit it to the Guinness Book of World Records or America's Funniest Videos.

6) Don't drive faster than 55 MPH. God is watching.

7) Save gas by not using the A/C. Satan knows if you've been naughty or nice.

8) Remove all excess cargo from the vehicle to reduce weight. Dump the boyfriend, gals. You too, guys. Interpret that to suit your lifestyle, but remember, God forgives, people don't.

9) Fill up only half a tank when prices are at their highest, a full tank when they drop. It makes cents, sense? Get it? Not only truly bothersome, but geeky. Get a life.

10) Cold gas is denser, so fill-er-up in the morning to get more gas per dollar. Is this a nominee for "Fargo Winter Tip of the Year", or what? The 0.001% higher molecular density of -50 degree gas at 5:00 A.M. compared to -20 degree gas at 1:00 P.M. means you'll save about one nanopenny per year. It's the thought that counts.

11) Don't idle the engine for more than 10 seconds. Sure, it's annoying to turn off the engine at red lights, but you have to consider the extra wear on the starter motor, which costs hundreds to replace if it breaks. Still, if you are a far enough left-wing liberal, all that matters is that you're saving 7 drops of gasoline, and, AND, providing work for your local mechanic-brethren. Workers unite.

12) Don't warm up the engine by idling. It'll warm up anyway as you drive.

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