There are many ways that you can improve your fuel economy while on the road, most of which require little or no car knowledge what-so-ever. However, they do require some common sense.

Don't let you car idle
When your car idles, you are achieving 0 miles per gallon, which is the worst fuel economy you can receive from your car. As a rule of thumb, if you have to leave your car sit for more than 30 seconds, then it's best to turn it off to avoid excess fuel consumption. The use of common sense here applies as well - shutting off your car at a red light that may last for a minute is not a safe idea, nor is it practical.

Avoid Speeding
Speeding, rapid acceleration and abrupt breaking are all ways that will lower your fuel economy. In fact, your highway mileage may be effected by up to 33%, and your city mileage up to 5%. The faster you go above the speed limit, the more gas your car will tend to waste. Besides speeding, driving the speed limit on city streets will usually yield the most green lights as opposed to trying to blow through them all.

Reduce drag - Both inside and out of your car
As a rule of thumb, an extra 100 pounds in your car will reduce your fuel economy by about 1%. Taking out extra junk in your car, as well as keeping things off of the roof when not needed will help improve the amount of gas your car consumes. Roof racks are a great thing to have when going on trips with friends and family, but do your best to fit everything inside the car. Take the roof rack off once you have reached your destination and then replace it when you're ready to head back home.

Perform routine maintenance
When your car is running properly, it will burn less gas. Change your oil regularly with the recommended grade of oil for your engine. Keeping your tires properly inflated will allow your car to drive with less contact area on the surface due to sagging tires. Having properly inflated tires can reduces your fuel consumptions by about 3%.

Air filters are another important aspect of running an efficient automobile. Replacing clogged air filters can improve your fuel economy by about 10%, and extend the longevity of your car's engine. On most cars, the air filter can be replace in just under 2 minutes with little or no effort from the owner.

Get regular tune ups - There are many things the average person can't do in order to conserve fuel, and that's when it's time to go to a trained mechanic to get the job done.

Purchase a car that suites your needs
When buying a new car, take several days or weeks to really assess your needs. Do you need something with a lot of cargo space because you have kids and do shopping? Do you want something more compact because you drive to and from work everyday and a few places on the weeks, but want something good on gas? Do you need the ability to go off road or through deep snow depending on where you live?

Most auto makers have seen the light. They know in order to stay in the game they must produce cars that are fuel efficient without sacrificing many features and options. Many auto makers have put out hybrid cars that get great gas mileage. Most hybrids are a great option for those who do a lot of city miles since they charge while breaking and not while driving. Highway travelers may see some benefits from a hybrid car, but you're probably better off buying a small automobile that is good on gas rather than spending the extra money for a hybrid car.

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