by Kate Johns

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 18, 2008

With the state of the economy going on a downward spiral of major proportions, people are trying to save money anyway they can. And many times that starts with trying to save money on gas for the car. You need to drive places, but have become fed up with paying high prices at the gas station. What are the best ways to save on gas without buying a hybrid vehicle? Read on and discover the ten ways to save gas:

1.Stay home more often and use less gas for your vehicle. Ask your boss if you can telecommute more often. Rent DVD movies and invite friends over. Stay home and watch all those reality television shows, This way you'll have plenty to tell your co-workers the next day.

2.Consolidate your errand running into one weekly trip. Go grocery shopping, weekly shopping, laundry washing, and go to the mall all in one day. Map your day out before you set out for the day and get it all done at once. This will save gas, and wear and tear on your vehicle!

3.Drive your vehicle at one set speed limit such as 55 miles an hour. This way you will be saving 20 percent of your gas consumption by not speeding up and slowing down. set it on speed control and let your car do the work for you!

4.Don't drive your vehicle during rush hour. Avoid this time of day for driving at all costs. You can make the trip in half the time by leaving earlier or leaving later. You won't be stuck in heavy traffic with all that precious gas being wasted while you sit in your vehicle. And you won't be stopping and starting as much and wasting even more gas.

5.Don't carry unnecessary items in your vehicle that will cause more drag. More drag will cause more fuel consumption and you will be spending more money on gas. Take all those unnecessary items out of the car that you don't need or tell your family members to lose weight.

6. Make certain that your vehicle always has more than a tank of gas. This way, your vehicle is not sucking up sediment from the bottom of the tank that can wreak havoc with your vehicle. Then, you will have to obtain costly repairs, putting you behind the curve.

7. Make sure that the tires are properly inflated so that the car runs efficiently and it gets proper speed, and drag. This way you can save money on gas, with the car running correctly, and you will be using less gas.

8. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained such as having enough oil, and a clean air filter. also make certain that your muffler is in good shape too.

9. Carpool with friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, anyone you can hitch a ride with. carpool with a co-worker who lives close by. Take turns driving alternate days and you both can save money and gas. Go shopping with a friend or relative to the mall or local stores by taking turns driving.

10. Don't warm up your vehicle for a long time. Even when it is really cold outside, you don't have to let it warm up too long. Besides idling a vehicle for a long time can actually harm the engine. You will be wasting gas by warming the car up for a long time. And while cleaning the vehicle off of snow, don't run the vehicle letting it do the work for you. This way you get more exercise and save precious, costly gas.

Without buying a hybrid vehicle you can save gas. And you can save money in the process too. It might even be fun to drive with someone else and get to know your friends and co-workers better. Besides you'll be saving the environment and keeping your car in great shape and saving money that way also!

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