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Hybrid vehicles have caught the nation's fancy with their promise of fuel economy many times that of the average SUV. Trading in an SUV on a hybrid, however, does not always make good economic sense. Even if gas reaches four dollars a gallon, the average driver may not realize enough savings to make the trade worthwhile. Rather than take the financial plunge on a new vehicle, there are ways to save money on fuel just by altering driving habits and paying attention to car care.

Driving habits are a great way to save fuel, starting in your own driveway. On cold mornings or hot days, avoid letting your vehicle idle for an extended period of time to warm up or cool down. A brief warm-up period is all a car really needs to reach operating temperature in most climates and leaving it idle for any longer than that really drags down your overall economy by getting exactly zero miles to the gallon. On hot days, pick a shady spot and use a windshield shade to keep your car cooler.

That same zero miles to the gallon applies to other idle times, as well. Park the car and go inside rather than using the drive through to save a few pennies. Avoid routes that usually result in traffic jams if you can and shut the car off if you are going to be stuck for more than a minute.

Drive gently. Your vehicle gets its best economy when driven at a steady medium speed. Avoid rapid acceleration away from stops and allow your car to coast slowly to a stop rather than leaving your foot on the gas and then stopping abruptly. Try to stay at the speed limit. Set the cruise control at 60 and be satisfied to stay in the slow lane. On the highway, the difference between 60 and 80 mph driving can be as much as 20%.

Drive smarter. Combining trips to avoid making multiple runs is an obvious choice. Thinking about how you get there can also help. Think about your route to the store and work and see if there are ways to make it shorter or avoid unnecessary stops. UPS estimates that it saved 3.1 million gallons of fuel last year simply by avoiding left turns wherever possible. Try to do some of your shopping on the way home from work and avoid making short runs for single items.

Avoid using air conditioning at lower speeds when you can. At higher speeds, close the windows and use the air instead; the improvement in aerodynamics will usually compensate for the increased power drain.

Think about your car. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that your car is properly tuned. An improperly tuned car will use more fuel to do the same job. Also be sure to clean out unnecessary heavy items from your trunk; the lighter you can make your car, the better.

It has even been said that a good wash and wax can decrease drag and improve economy. Even if it doesn't, you'll feel better driving a clean car.

Learn more about this author, Eric Wolf.
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