by James Daly

Created on: July 28, 2008

With gasoline prices as high as they are, and with them expected to climb even higher, no one can say they don't care about saving money when it comes to gasoline. Even billion dollar corporations are feeling the pinch!

How would you like to save up to 90% on your fuel costs? Who wouldn't? Well here are 16 proven ways you can save a lot of money when you drive.

1) Car pool. Car pooling with one person cuts your fuel cost in half. With two other people, you save 66%. And with three other people, you save 75%! And if you combine this with the remaining cost saving measures listed here, that will save you at least another 15%. That is how you save 90%. And keep reading. There is another way to save 90% that I've saved for last.

2) No jack rabbit starts! Accelerate slowly.

3) Don't drive 70 miles per hour (MPH) just because you can. Every mile per hour over 55 MPH burns significantly more gas.

4) Coast. When you see that you will need to stop in a few seconds, or more, switch the gear to neutral and coast. Keep the engine in neutral until you are ready to accelerate. Then shift back to drive.

5) Moderate your usage of air conditioning (A/C). When driving at slower speeds, it saves you money if you can roll down your windows and run only the fan. But when driving over 40 MPH, aerodynamics becomes a factor and A/C actually saves you money.

6) Cut back on the pounds. You and your car! Now you have a new reason to start that diet you've been putting off. The less the combined gross weight of your car and its contents, the better your gas mileage (except for car pooling).

7) Keep your tank full. The less gas in your engine, the greater the extent of gasoline evaporation breakdown in your tank. This can cost you up to 10% of your fuel efficiency.

8) Use cruise control. The inadvertent unnecessary accelerating and braking can cost you significantly. Plus, you minimize your chances of getting a speeding ticket!

9) Don't buy high octane gas unless your vehicle requires it. Most do not. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to find out about your car.

10) Keep your tire's inflated to what's on the tire, and not what's in the owner's manual. Even on new cars, the pounds per square inch (PSI) data is often stated differently. What you read on the tire is more accurate. And if the tires have been changed since the car was originally purchased, this is especially true.

11) Properly maintain your vehicle. Replacing old filters, fuel filters, spark plugs and having your oil changed every

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