A snug gas cap can save money, reduce smog

Rising fuel prices continue to have a dramatic impact on many of us.

Motorists need to know that being proactive can make a huge difference when it comes to increasing gas mileage and saving money at the pump.

There's often one overlooked vehicle component that can save you some pain at the pump: the gas cap.

A gas cap performs three very important functions: fuel economy, safety of the vehicle's occupants and emissions reduction.

Loose or missing gas caps contribute to poor fuel economy. A loosely fitted cap allows the fuel to escape through evaporation. About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year in the U.S. So you can understand why making sure that your gas caps are on tightly benefits your bank balance.

Tighten up that gas cap. Next time you're at the pump, make sure you remember to put your gas cap back on securely after filling up. Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. After filling up, be sure the gas cap clicks three times. Consider a locking gas cap or InStant Fill gas cap, making sure it meets or exceeds your vehicle manufacturer specifications.

Protect yourself and the environment. Doing whatever we can to cut back on our consumption of gas is not only important for saving money -- especially with the current high cost of gasoline -- but it's also just good stewardship to conserve our resources. Without a fuel cap, gasoline vapors will be present around your car at all times. Those vapors can be ignited by a random spark or flame and are very dangerous if you are involved in an accident or rollover. Gasoline vapors also emit hydrocarbons that dissolve the earth's ozone layer and cause smog.

Just cap it. You could save $50 per year in fuel costs with a new gas cap. So buy a new one if your current cap doesn't fit snugly. For a complete selection of today's best gas cap choices, visit www.stant.com.