Small changes add up to big savings at the pump

Small changes can equal big savings in your gasoline costs. Here are some tips that could easily save you hundreds of dollars per year.

• Keep your car serviced at regular intervals. Old spark plugs and dirty air filters, as well as fluid levels that are allowed to get low, affect your fuel economy.

• Watch your speed on the highway. No matter the type of vehicle you drive, wind drag rises with speed, increasing fuel consumption. Use cruise control to maintain a constant speed, keep windows closed and don’t use roof racks.

• Look for discounts on gasoline. If you’re already a member of a discount warehouse that sells gas, its price could be significantly lower than nearby competitors. If you’re not already a member, consider whether your gas usage warrants the cost of membership if you include the discount you may receive on other items you purchase there.

• Turn off the engine if you’re going to be stopped for more than one minute. Don’t wait in line at fast-food restaurants.

• Avoid jackrabbit starts at green lights.

• Shop for lower gasoline prices, but do the math. If it costs you 50 cents to drive to a gas station that’s miles away, and you only save 2 cents per gallon on a 20-gallon fill-up, it doesn’t make sense to go there. Check Gasbuddy.com on the Internet for prices of gas near you.

• Don’t pay extra for premium gasoline unless your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends it.

• Unload your car. If you carry extra weight in the trunk for winter driving, remove it during warm weather. It’s estimated that for every 250 pounds in your car, you lose 1 mile per gallon.

• Consolidate your errands. Plan a route with no backtracking. Join with neighbors who are going to the same locations, or join a vanpool service.

• Keep a mileage and gas log in a small notebook. Write down your mileage and how much gas you bought at each fill-up so you can calculate your miles per gallon. When it goes down, you’re possibly due for a tune up, new air filter or oil change.

• If you do your own oil changes, use the grade of oil that’s recommended by the manufacturer.

• Keep your tires inflated to the recommended level, and get regular alignments.

• Use the air conditioning as little as possible.