by Beth Hermes

Created on: October 24, 2008

With the national economy feeling the financial pain individuals have been living with for most of the last year, energy conservation, hybrid vehicles and alternatives to gas-guzzling SUV's have become acceptable topics of mainstream conversation.

In metro Atlanta, even though it means a longer commute, few of us would sacrifice the lifestyle we've come to enjoy OTP (Outside the Perimeter). But no matter who you are or how much money you make or what part of the country you call home - you've likely felt the pinch from higher gas prices that is, if gas is available at your local filling station! That being said, there are things you can do to conserve gas, improve your car's MPG and keep some of your hard-earned cash in your pocket:

Avoid Aggressive Driving. Rapid acceleration, braking and excessive speeding wreak havoc on your gas mileage, adding up to 33% increased gas use at highway speeds and 5% or more around town, according to The U.S. Department of Energy.
Use Cruise Control whenever possible to maintain your car's RPM's (Rotations Per Minute), which reduces your car's fuel consumption by up to 10% on longer trips. Impossible for commuters? Try to coordinate your drive times during off-peak traffic hours.
Maintenance Is Key. From air filters to tire pressure, make sure you keep your ride in tip-top condition for maximum fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires can increase your gas mileage an average of 3.3%, while tires that are under-inflated decrease gas mileage an average of 0.4% for every 1 pound of pressure below full PSI.
Lose Weight. (Or, don't keep junk in the trunk!) For every 200 pounds of weight your car is carrying, you reduce your fuel efficiency by 1 mile per gallon! (Please note, that does NOT mean dumping your overweight carpool partner!)
Obey the Speed Limit. Pay attention, those of you who think 400 North is the Autobahn! On the highway, your gas mileage decreases rapidly when you travel faster than 60 mph. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every 5 mph you drive over 60, you're paying an additional 21 cents per gallon of gas!
Idle Thoughts. Your car wastes a quart of gas for every 15 minutes of idle time. Don't "warm it up" before driving just start it and go. Try to avoid rush hour or stop-and-go traffic whenever possible. And turn off the engine and go inside rather than waiting at the drive-thru for your morning java!
Cool Fuel. With Autumn in full-swing, this is easier now than it was in August: Fill your car at the coolest part of the day early in the morning or in the evening. According to The Farmer's Almanac, gas is at its densest when it's cool. And since gas pumps measure volume, not density, you're actually getting more gas for your dollar when you fill it up at cooler temperatures.
Surf Your Way to the Best Gas Prices. For you Internet-savvy, techno-geek or coupon-clipping fanatics, find the cheapest gas in your area by surfing the Web at GasBuddy.com.

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