Gas is always on the list of things people complain about. Remember when gas was one dollar? No? It can seem like a lifetime ago. Well here are a few tips to put a few dollars in your pocket.

First, learn to anticipate traffic. 30% of the drivers cannot control their speed with just the accelerator pad in heavy traffic. This is why people press their brakes often in heavy traffic. The more you pay attention to the flow of traffic, the less you have to press the brakes. You’ll be able to anticipate when things will slow down in lighter traffic, and you can ease off the gas. Cars use the most gas when accelerating but they don’t need much gas to maintain. Get it?

Next, and possibly the most dreadful: turn off the air conditioning. This tip might be impossible in some areas. (We’re looking at you, Arizona!) The compressor for the air conditioner puts more pressure on the motor of the car, so when the air is on the motor utilizes much more gas. You can also try to park in the shade to help decrease the general temperature of the car for when you first get in. Another good tip is to roll down the windows a bit to allow the air to circulate in the car to avoid “stiff” heat. This is vital for those driving with infants; the heated air can be quite dangerous for them.

If you have a cruise control, use it!! It will keep the speed constant and you won’t need to accelerate as much. Shifting into neutral when you’re standing still can also cool off the transmission and reduce the pressure.

Use science! It’s already been established that one shouldn’t accelerate as much. You can also try to reduce the mass of your car by emptying out the trunk and removing heavy items that you don’t need. The 20 pairs of shoes or the “spare” golfing equipment can wait in the house.

Driving slower can also contribute to your gas saving. It’s not obvious but it’s extremely overlooked. It’s a proven fact that driving fast will increase the drag or turbulence, also increasing your fuel consumption. Driving below the speed limit can be difficult for the speed demons, but all evils can be tamed (especially when there’s money on the table!).

Next is drafting. Drafting can give some excellent mileage when commuting long distances. It requires a bit of skill so it’s not recommended for all drivers, especially the new ones. However it is probably one of the best “secret” fuel-saving tips around. Now, please don’t confuse drafting with riding someone’s bumper or tailgating. It’s simple; every car has a certain amount of drag. When driving you cause the air to split and the streams follow the sides of your car and create more turbulence. When riding in someone else’s split stream you create less turbulence, hence a smoother ride and less pressure on your car and engine. Be careful of who you drive behind; if you haven’t learned to anticipate traffic you may end of spending your money repairing your car instead of on dinner.
                  The most obvious of all: pick a better route.  Avoid heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights. The shortest route is not always the most fuel efficient if you have to stop a lot, especially if everyone takes the shortest route.

Start using these gas-efficient tips and you’ll stop spending so much time and money at the gas pump. What techniques do you have to avoid spending all of your money on fuel? Share your ideas in the comments!