News release: “The Federal Trade Commission is offering tips to help consumers save money at the pump and get better gas mileage.

• At the Pump – Check your owner’s manual for the right octane level for your car. Regular octane gas is recommended for most cars. See The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline.
• Shop around. Specialized phone apps and websites can help find the lowest gas prices in your area, and many gas stations advertise regular weekly specials.
• Charge it. Consider a credit card that offers cash back for gas purchases – some offer 2 to 5 percent rebates, but read the fine print, because fees, charges, interest rates, and benefits vary.
• On the Road – Start driving as soon as the engine is started. Modern engines warm up quickly and stay warm after stopping.
• Don’t speed. Gas mileage drops significantly when you drive more than 60 miles per hour. Fueleconomy.gov says each extra 5 mph is like paying 24 cents more per gallon.
• Unnecessary idling wastes fuel, costs money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate to improve fuel economy on the highway.
• Minimize the need to brake. Be alert for slow-downs, red lights, and bends and turns.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts and stops to increase mileage and prolong the life of your brakes.
• Use the air conditioner only when you absolutely need it. AC dramatically reduces fuel economy. Most air conditioners have an “economy” setting for circulating unchilled air. Many also have a “maximum” or “recirculation” setting that reduces the amount of hot outside air that must be chilled.
• Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold engine start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to 2 percent.
• Avoid packing items on top of your car. A loaded roof rack can lower fuel economy by 5 percent.”