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(NewsUSA) - Does the cost of gas have you fuming at the pump? If carpooling and public transportation are not the answers for you, you'll be happy to know there are ways to improve your fuel economy no matter what type of car you are driving.
Here are some good habits to practice for better gas mileage, from XenTx.com:
* Drive safely. Aggressive driving wastes gas fast. Hard braking or jackrabbit takeoffs can waste gas and curb mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
* Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gas you waste and the more money you lose at the pump. Each mile per hour you drive over 60 is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon, according to DOE.
* Keep it covered. Your gas cap, that is. About 17 percent of cars have missing or damaged gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
* Replace your air filter. A clogged air filter chokes off the air and causes too much gas to be burned for the amount of air. This wastes gas and causes your engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
* Shed the pounds. Using a loaded roof rack or trunk increases fuel consumption. Remove all unnecessary weight.
* Treat your engine right. Using a synthetic engine treatment, like XenTx Extreme Engine Treatment, is a great way to get better gas mileage. XenTx in your vehicle will reduce friction. Lower friction means your engine can produce more power with less effort. It has also shown to increase horsepower and torque and extend the life of your oil changes. For more information, go to www.XenTx.com.
* Maintain good tire pressure. Driving with tires that aren't inflated properly can cost you a mile or two per gallon.
* Replace spark plugs. Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel.
* Use the right grade of gasoline. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out whether your car will run fine on regular grade. Regular grade fuel costs 10 percent less than premium grade.
Dave Marcis is a retired champion NASCAR racecar driver. He has scored five Winston Cup victories.