Do you have any gas saving hints or tips?

Go at speed limit. If you go over, you waste more gas and you can get a ticket.

shift the gear at about ¾ of its maximum ratio, never ever use oversized rims, turn off A/C when window is open. Don’t warm up anylonger if its reach its ideal operating temperature

This might seem crazy and obvious.

But my sister will drive across town to CostCo to save five cents per gallon over the gas station 10 blocks away. This is completely insane. She spends three dollars to save 50 cents. And it takes a hour.

I’m not sure what is wrong with her.

@johnpowell take her to a therapist. It might help.

If you have a manual gearbox, gear up at low (how do we call these things in english? rph’s?).
When coming to a trafficlight (a red one), let your car roll out instead of using the brakes.
And yes, keeping the tires well pressured up is good too.

Check your tire inflation.

“A typical tire with a maximum recommended pressure of 32 pound per square inch has a safe pressure range of 24–32 PSI. Variations within that range won’t affect traction that much, but they will affect your gas mileage, ride quality, and tire life. At 24 PSI you’ll get a softer ride but lower mileage and faster tread wear, while at 32 PSI you’ll get a rougher ride but higher mileage and longer tire life. Not surprisingly, in pre-energy crisis days auto makers recommended 24 PSI, but nowadays a lot of them recommend 30 or 32. ”

Source

Coast.

You waste gas when you touch the accelerator and when you touch the brake.

You use gas when you accelerate and you waste your momentum when you brake. When you see there will be a need to slow or stop, take your foot off the gas and coast as far as you can.

The world record for gas mileage for a normal car is over 2000 miles per gallon. They did it this way: start the car and slowly accelerate to 25 miles per hour. Turn off the engine and coast until you are going 5 mph. Start the engine and accelerate to 25 mph, etc.

This may not be practical for normal driving, but it shows the value of COASTING.

If you have a manual, shift as high as possible to keep your car in a low RPM range. (This can be simulated with an automatic if you know your car well enough to control the shifting via gas flow… but typically automatics are set up for their peak mpg already [ assuming they’re tuned up] )

Go the speed limit (especially on the freeway), the faster you go, the worse your gas mileage (the difference between 65 mph and 75 mph can be as much as 10mpg depending on the car).

Windows up at high speeds (above 45 or so). At those speeds use the fan or the AC (the AC actually uses less gas at those speeds, as the drag created by having the windows down increases exponentially with speed).

Keep your tires inflated to the levels indicated on the tires.

Accelerating quickly will burn excess fuel, don’t do it.

If you’re REALLY pushing for gas, avoid using anything on your car that uses electricity (even the radio). Anything that drains power makes the car work harder to operate the alternator. (but this is a pretty small gain)

@johnpowell, and take her by bus.

Check your air filter! This is one of the easiest do-it-yourself car checks. A dirty air filter can GREATLY reduce your gas mileage. If it needs to be replaced, don’t let the car guys do it. They’ll gouge $25–30 bucks out of you (if you’re lucky). Go to a car supply store like AutoZone and get an air filter for $15–18 and pop it in yourself. Real easy.

Keep your car tuned properly. Tires inflated to the recommended PSI will make a substantial difference (as you stated earlier) in your gas mileage. Keep the speed down! And when possible, turn off the AC. Driving with the windows down will save $ over AC when on surface streets. Use the AC on the freeways instead. An open window will usually utilize more gasoline than the AC on the open road.
Of course you can always get a good road bicycle. And come on. You’re always within walking distance of a Starbuck’s. Why are you driving there? It’s not raining. :)

Combine several tasks into one trip, stop by the store on the way home from work, and if possible get gas at the same time. We get our gasoline at the same place we get our groceries.

I was going to ad what @YARNLADY added. Everyone else pretty much has what you can do to your car.

Combining your trips to minimize outings even if you double up with neighbors or friends ends up saving huge. We found that out ever since I lost my job. It’s a habit that will continue.

Ride a bike like I do.

No gas, no insurance, no car payments, no mechanics, quick easy maintenance AND good exercise.

and its not unrealistic, i ride 20+ miles a day currently, and while i was at my last job i was riding 40+ miles a day…on a fixie no less.

@wenn did you work at an office/professional type job? did you bring a change of clothes? how did you clean up for work after a 40+ mile bike ride?

Basically everything everyone else has said, and try not to over load your car.

Get a wheel alignment. Sure, you put air in your tires, but the left front tire has been scrubbing for months since you hit that pothole. Remember?

A secure distance to be maintained between your car and the car in front of you. As @rebbel pointed out in most cases this will also allow you to let your car roll out instead of using the brakes. As you are slowing the secure distance can also decrease.

I’ve been riding my bike to work 3 days a week. 34 miles round-trip, infinity miles to the gallon. I have a closet in my office, so I bring in work clothes on the days that I drive. My building has a locker room with a shower. I’m lucky in that respect.

When you have to drive, a few things – keep your air filter clean and your tires at proper pressure. Don’t overinflate them, that’s dangerous. Go into work early and leave early. It makes no difference whether or not you have the A/C on or the windows open; that’s a myth. However, if you have a roof rack on your car, lose it. That does make a difference. Combine errands into as few car trips as possible.

@alive yes i did work at a professional/corporate job, here. I biked in my daily clothes and packed dress shirt and khakis in my bag to change into and cleaned up via the bathroom. I did manage to convince my manager to let me wear my normal shoes since i had no way of hauling heavy bulky dress shoes around 40 miles a day.

Like i said, it is not unrealistic to bike.

@wenn i never said it was unrealistic… i asked about my Car

@alive riding a bike would save you gas. and i just added its not crazy talk to suggest getting on a bike.

if you’d like my CAR tips…
1. if you have manual, shift at lower revs
2. do not use cruise control, you can average better mileage feathering the throttle yourself
3. don’t speed
4. keep tired properly inflated
5. get excess, unnecessary weight out…don’t haul usless crap around
6. get a K&N air filter or other quality air filter if available for your car
7. don’t use A/C, that siphons extra gas and power away, just crack the windows slightly
8. regular maintenance

9. ride a bike