In the economic times we face today, fuel price fluctuation is a factor of daily life. Gas has become one of the most costly commodities we have.  Regardless of whether you drive a hybrid or a six person SUV, there are always ways to save money on gas. With that being said, we have compiled a list of what we think are the most innovative and creative ways to save some change on fuel.

Yes, some of these may seem ‘common sense’ but you would be surprised as to how many people overlook the obvious.

1. Don’t start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine. Always be sure to turn your engine off when not in use. (source)
2. Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of bad MPG. Tires lose air due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree drop); under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. (source)
3. Take out unused seats (for SUV’s & Mini-Vans/Vans). Many newer vehicles - specifically mini vans, SUVs and regular vans - allow you the option of removing their extra unused seats. If you can get this extra weight out of your car - for every extra 100 pounds you carry around in your car, you decrease its fuel economy by up to 2%.
4. Slow down! Reducing speed has been proved to increase MPG significantly. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.
5. Keep your windows closed to reduce wind resistance. This is most important when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
6. The smoother the road, the better. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage. (source)
7. Shop online. Interesting tip given to me by a friend. Instead of driving 20 minutes to your local store and 20 minutes back (and maybe even paying tolls), you can save that gas money by shopping online (choose the cheapest shipping option). After about a year you will notice the extra change piling up.
8. Your air conditioner doesn’t have to be on the entire ride. Keep the AC usage to a minimal, this is one of the biggest gas guzzlers a car can have. By keeping it to a minimal, you can save 10-20%. Shut it off five minutes before you get to your destination and make sure to lower your windows instead of using the AC whenever possible.
9. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel! (source)
10. Lighten up and don’t haul anything you don’t absolutely need, around with you. Check your trunk, glove box and front and back seats for belongings that you really don’t need on a permanent basis. Over a long period, these small savings can really add up. (source)
11. Fill your tank at the coolest time of day. Fuel is denser when it’s cool in the early morning or late at night. Your engine consumes fuel by weight but gas pumps dispense fuel by volume. The colder the fuel is when you pump it, the more of it you get for the same money.
12. Should you use low octane fuel? Maybe. If your owner’s manual calls for premium, use premium. If you use regular instead, the cars computer will retard the ignition timing automatically to prevent detonation. This will have a devastating effect on gas mileage, which will more than offset lower fuel price. Detonation occurs only on full or almost full throttle, so you may be safe using lower grade gasoline in this case if you are conservative with your acceleration habits. (source)
13. Don’t use your car! Want to save gas? Try taking a bicycle to work or even a scooter. The best way to save on gas is to not buy it!

Tip by Jamspot: If you live in a big city and have the option to use the bus/train system instead of your car, do it! Commuting can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

If you have anymore tips, please feel free to send me an e-mail [leon (at) elite motor cars (dot) com] or just leave a comment! I’d be more than happy to expand this list.