Smart driving can help you save lots of gas and money

Bad driving habits can be costly at the fuel pump. And there's no better time to correct those habits than during April -- National Car Care Month. Follow these tips for better fuel econony and huge savings:

1. Easy does it. Driving aggressively on the highway can lower your car's gas mileage by more than 30 percent. Slowly accelerate after every stop sign and stop light and take it easy on the accelerator when on the highway.

2. Be a smooth driver. Abrupt stops reek havoc on your car's fuel efficiency. Anticipate stops whenever possible. Letting your car coast to a stop is a good way to improve gas mileage. Using cruise control on the highway will help maintain a smooth, constant speed and may boost gas mileage.

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3. Follow the speed limit. Driving above the speed limit may get you where you want to go in less time, but it also means more trips to the gas pump. And the faster you drive, the bigger the fuel-economy hit on your car. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 17 percent. Obeying the speed limit is the safest and cheapest way to drive.

4. Combine trips. Save fuel and cut down on the wear and tear on your car by choosing the shortest route to your destination and combining short trips whenever possible. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multi-stop trip of the same distance with a warm engine.

5. Travel light. Remove any excess items from your car. Less weight means better mileage. Carrying an extra 100 pounds in the trunk of your car may cut your car's fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.

6. Go easy on the air conditioning. Roll down your car's windows and let in the summer breeze. Using the gas-hogging air conditioning as sparingly as possible will give your car's fuel economy a real boost. Air conditioning can drag down your car's fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent. On days when air conditioning is a must, first try cooling your car the old fashioned way -- rolling down the windows, opening the vents, peeling back the sunroof. Flipping on the air conditioning full blast as soon as you hop into a hot car is a big waste of gas and money.

7. Watch your foot. Avoid resting your left foot on the brake while driving. The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will require additional gas. You'll also wear out the brakes sooner.