Gas prices are doing that thing again — creeping up just enough to make you reconsider every errand. But you can stretch what’s in your tank a little farther with a few smart moves.

First, slow down. Cars are most efficient around 65, not when you’re pretending to qualify for NASCAR. Cruise control can help you keep it steady — less pedal, less pain at the pump.

Then, stop letting your car idle forever. If you’re stuck and not moving, your gas is basically evaporating with zero benefit.

Ditch that roof rack or mystery weight in the trunk. Hauling dead weight burns fuel for no reason — think of it like dragging a parachute behind your ride.

Check your tire pressure once in a while. Underinflated tires make your car work harder, which means it drinks more gas.

And maybe combine your trips — the milk can survive until you pick up the dry cleaning. GasBuddy and similar apps can help you hunt down the cheapest fill-ups, too.

Lastly, if your car doesn’t actually need premium, don’t waste your money buying it. And when you’re finally car shopping again, give hybrids a look — they sip fuel instead of guzzling it.

None of this will make gas cheap again… but hey, at least you’ll feel a little smarter every time you pass a pump.

Source: Associated Press

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

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Driving Tips to Fight High Gas Prices