There has been a constant increase in the fuel prices in the recent times and it is going to follow suit in the future too. Therefore it is advised to reach maximum fuel efficiency by modifying some of the driving practices. You can try and squeeze a bit more distance out of each gallon of fuel and an improvement of even one or two miles per gallon can really benefit. Some easy to follow tips can help you become fuel efficient drivers and save fuel for future in the process, also cutting down on the costs for yourselves. These tips when used in a combined fashion can really make a big difference to the gas mileage.

1. Drive moderately- The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car consumes. The aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed and this decreases fuel efficiency. Driving at 62 miles per hour rather than 75 miles per hour would reduce fuel consumption by about 15%. Try driving the speed limit for a few days and you will save a lot of fuel without increasing your journey time substantially.

2. Avoid sudden jerks- Sudden acceleration and deceleration waste fuel, therefore sudden braking and abrupt stopping should be avoided by keeping safe distance from vehicles ahead to allow ample reaction time and by anticipating traffic signals. Avoid unnecessary speed ups, slowdowns and stops and you will increase fuel economy by as much as 20%.

3. Drive in high gear- Switching on overdrive for automatic transmission cars can help save fuel since it allows your engine to change gears at lower revs. It increases fuel economy by switching to economy mode. The engine runs most efficiently between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm and to maintain these low revs, you should accelerate slowly and achieve highest gear as soon as possible in manual vehicles.

4. Evade excessive idling- Minimize fuel wasted in idling by shutting off the engine when you anticipate being stopped for more than a minute. Idling consumes more fuel than restarting the engine for the same time.

5. Clean air-filters regularly- Clogged air filters restrict the flow of air into the engine and increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Replacing or cleaning the air-filters can improve the car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon, reduce levels of emission and also cut down on the costs of repairs.

6. Inflate the tires properly- Deflated tires increase fuel consumption and drag on the road. Keeping the tires properly inflated can increase the fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon. Deflated tires also wear out prematurely and affect the vehicle adversely. Use high pressure to maximize fuel efficiency.

7. Use air-conditioning carefully – Air conditioners use about 10% extra fuel when operating, but at higher speeds, use of air conditioning is better for fuel economy than an open window. Use air conditioner if absolutely necessary because it reduces the fuel economy as well as engine power by around 10%.

8. Avoid carrying heavy loads- Reduce excess weight in your car and pack lightly for long trips. Additional loads of up to 50kg can increase fuel consumption by 2%. Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle to save fuel.

9. Keep windows closed- Open windows increase drag when in speed and decrease fuel economy up to 10%. Keep the windows closed or slightly open when driving on highways and/or at speeds of 80-120 km/h.

10. Use cruise control- If the facility is available in your car; use cruise control to maintain a constant speed over long distance to save fuel.

Apart from all these, use vehicles only when you really need and try walking short distances to save fuel and improve your health simultaneously.