To save money at the pump, consider these 8 strategies as gas prices increase.

You may be seeking strategies to maximize your gas mileage with gas prices increasing by almost 50% compared to the previous year.

You don't need to spend a lot of money on a more fuel-efficient vehicle to save money on gas. Small changes in driving and vehicle maintenance habits can reduce gas costs by at least 50 cents per gallon.

The U.S. Department of Energy offers eight tips with estimated savings per gallon, assuming a fuel price of $3.31 per gallon.

According to Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America and author of “The Car Book,” by following tips, you could save the equivalent of a monthly car payment over a year of driving.

1. Ease up on the gas and brakes

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your gas mileage decreases rapidly when driving above 50 miles per hour, costing you an estimated $0.23 extra per gallon for every 5 mph you drive over 50 mph.

According to Gillis, the harder an engine works, the more gas it will consume. As a result of rapid acceleration and high-speed driving, the engine's workload increases, causing it to consume more gasoline.

Braking suddenly can waste fuel, so it's recommended to coast to a red light or down a hill for quick acceleration.

Estimated savings: $0.23–$0.46 per gallon

2. Avoid excessive idling

Modern cars have engines that automatically shut down when you stop the car, which helps conserve fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, waiting at a red light for an average of 45 to 120 seconds consumes about 10 seconds of gas, while starting your car only takes about 10 seconds of gas.

Older cars without start/stop engines are not recommended to turn off the engine at red lights because they do not have heavy-duty starters that can handle multiple starts in a day.

If you're parked for more than 10 seconds, consider turning off the engine to save on gas, as idling can cost up to half a gallon of fuel per hour.

The estimated savings per minute without the air conditioner on range from $0.01 to $0.02.

3. Remove excess weight from your car

According to Gillis, many individuals keep salt and sand in their trunks as a traditional method of dealing with snowstorms or icy conditions.

According to the U.S Department of Energy, losing an extra 100 pounds stored in your vehicle will improve your miles per gallon by about 1%, but the effect is less of a factor with smaller vehicles.

Estimated savings: $0.03 per gallon

4. Avoid storing cargo on your vehicle

Adding cargo containers or bike tracks to the roof of your vehicle can increase wind resistance, causing your engine to work harder to maintain speed. This can increase fuel consumption by up to 20% on the highway, according to the U.S Department of Energy.

Rear-mounted cargo boxes reduce fuel economy by only 1% to 5% on the highway and 1% to 2% in city driving, making them a more fuel-efficient option than roof-top cargo boxes, which reduce fuel economy by around 6% to 17% on the highway and 2% to 8% in city driving, according to the Department of Energy.

Estimated savings: $0.07–$0.56 per gallon

5. Keep your engine properly tuned up

Properly maintaining your vehicle can increase your gas mileage by an average of 4%, with results varying based on the condition of your car. Fixing a serious maintenance issue, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by up to 40%.

To determine the frequency of tune-ups for your car, refer to the manual, which suggests an inspection every 20,000 to 30,000 miles for newer models.

Estimated Savings: $0.13 per gallon

6. Make sure your tires are properly inflated

Ensure your tires are properly inflated at least monthly by checking the PSI rating in your manual or on the driver's side door jamb, which is typically between 30 and 35 PSI.

Dropping 1 PSI below your optimal PSI rating can decrease gas mileage by approximately 0.2% and shorten the lifespan of your tires.

Estimated savings: $0.02 per gallon

7. Use the recommended grade of motor oil

To enhance your gas mileage by 1% to 2%, it is recommended to purchase a motor oil that corresponds to your vehicle manufacturer's specifications and certification requirements, as suggested by Edmunds.

To ensure that motor oil contains friction-reducing additives, look for the "Energy Conserving" words on the API performance symbol when purchasing it.

Estimated savings: $0.03–$0.07 per gallon

8. Consider the EPA rating of your next car

Cars have improved significantly in terms of fuel efficiency, and you may observe the difference when purchasing or leasing a vehicle. A car with a high EPA rating will have a fuel efficiency of at least 30 miles per gallon. Electric vehicles often have excellent EPA ratings, such as the Tesla Model S Long Range, which gets 111 miles per gallon.

When purchasing a new car, the gas crisis highlights the importance of considering EPA ratings, according to Gillis.

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