With gas prices becoming increasingly volatile and the cost of living rising across US cities, increasing numbers of drivers are looking at ways to save money on their automobile costs. One of the easiest ways to keep dollars in your pocket is to improve your fuel economy.

You don’t need to head to the car dealership and invest in a smaller car or a hybrid to substantially decrease your fuel consumption. There are plenty of methods you can adopt today to make your money go further and your gas tank remain filled for longer.

Stay up to date on your vehicle maintenance schedule

Before you even start your car, you can boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by making sure the oil has been changed regularly, the air filter is clean, and the spark plugs have been replaced. Not only will these small acts of car-care reduce your fuel consumption, but they will also help it last longer, reducing your out of pocket maintenance costs.

Keep your tires inflated

Underinflated tires will significantly increase your fuel consumption. Tires that have deflated by 8psi, experience around 5% more rolling resistance than fully inflated tires. As you continue to use your vehicle, this 5% resistance per tire soon adds up.

When tires become 25% underinflated, they cause further problems. Tires this underinflated are prone to overheating and could blowout, causing a major accident. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the optimal tire pressure listed for your vehicle and check your tires regularly to ensure they remain at the optimal pressure.

You can also reduce overheating and excessive wear by scheduling regular tire rotations. If you haven’t had your tires checked, schedule your next tire rotation soon to prevent accidents or breakdowns.

Clean out your car

You shouldn’t be driving around with heavy items you don’t need. This might include a set a golf clubs living in the trunk, bicycles attached to the back of the car, or bulky car seats. Any unnecessary weight will reduce your fuel economy.

For every 100lbs of weight in your vehicle, your fuel economy decreases by one or two per cent. Clean out your car regularly to ensure you are not lugging around items you don’t need.

Drive sensibly

Hard acceleration and heavy braking lead to unnecessary fuel waste. Slower acceleration and less braking will help you get your fuel to go a little bit further. Keep your eye on the horizon to see any upcoming hazards that might require you to stop, and ease of the accelerator.

If your vehicle has cruise control, the optimum speed for fuel consumption is between 45 and 60 miles per hour. Set your car’s cruise control and avoid unnecessary braking for optimal performance. For every 5mph over 60mph you drive, you could slash your fuel economy by as much as 10%. When it comes to fuel consumption, slow and steady wins the race every time.

Park in shaded spots

Fuel, like every other liquid, evaporates when it reaches a certain temperature. You can avoid evaporation by keeping your fuel tank cool on hot days. Avoid parking spots that are in direct sunlight to reduce fuel evaporation and make your tank of gas last longer.