Tips for saving money at the pumps

With the price of gasoline and diesel fuel going through the roof and beyond, the Federal Trade Commission (FCC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has devised a list of bumper-to-bumper tips to help consumers save money at the gas pump.

The agency's suggestions include:

.. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation concerning the right octane level for your vehicle. For most cars, the recommended gas is regular octane.

Using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit and costs you more at the pump. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gas is a waste of money.

.. Be skeptical of any gizmo that promises to improve your gas mileage. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has tested over 100 of these devices, such as "mixture enhancers" and fuel line magnets, and found that very few helped save on the cost of fuel.

Moreover, the devices that did work provided only a slight improvement in gas mileage. In fact, some products may even damage your car's engine or cause a substantial increase in exhaust emissions.

.. Stay within the posted speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

.. Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs money, and pollutes the air.

.. Avoid "jackrabbit" starts and stops.

.. Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate.

.. Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. This can increase gas mileage up to three percent.

.. Keep your engine tuned. This can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent.

.. Change your oil. Clean oil reduces the wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine.

You can improve your gas mileage by using the grade of motor oil listed in your owner's manual and changing it according to the schedule recommended by your car manufacturer.

In addition, motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.

.. Check and replace filters regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10 percent.

.. An extra 100 pounds in the truck can reduce fuel economy by up to two percent. Removing non-essential items can save money at the pump.

.. Combine errands. Several short trips made from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

.. Consider carpooling. .. Bike it or hoof it.