6. Stop Using High-Octane Gas

High-octane gas costs more than regular. If you car isn’t pinging, use regular unleaded. You’ll save up to 20 cents per gallon.

7. Avoid Topping-Off

The pump needs time to draw out full amount. It doesn’t get it when you Top-off. You pay extra for these short- burst of fuel. Wait until your tank is at least half-full before you fill it up.

8. Avoid Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks

The refilling of underground tanks stirs up particles that lay at bottom. If these particles get in to your gas tank, they can cut fuel efficiency of your car.

9. Pump Your Own Gas

Use self-serve rather than full-serve pump. Full- serve gasoline costs more. You save money pumping gas yourself.

10. Tighten Gas Cap

Twist cap until you hear it click. This prevents gasoline from evaporating and escaping.

Final Thought

These ten tips are easy to apply. Remember to use them each time at gas pump. You’ll be stretching your gas dollars.

The engines in hybrid automobiles are usually much smaller (except in some brand new V-6 models). While this reduces fuel consumption, it means that for extra “power” that drivers are looking for has to come from somewhere else. That’s where electric motor and batteries come into play. In some models, sensors detect that car is in need of extra energy for going up hill, for example. That’s when “hybrid” half of engine kicks in. It will do a dandy job of giving engine that extra oomph or boost that it needs, without using any more gasoline.

Newer hybrid models do a lot of extra tricks so that your car gets as many miles to gallon as possible. For example, when you’re stopped at a traffic light, another sensor will trigger gasoline engine to idle down to a complete stop, while car stays “running” solely on its electric power. Did I mention ingenious?

Since idea behind hybrid powered car is reduced fuel consumption without loss of speed or power, many cars are being designed to move through streets with utmost in aerodynamic form; meaning that a hybrid will create less “drag,” simply due to its body structure. Many also use much lighter building materials, reducing weight and pull. Some models even have wheel covers and no mirrors (replaced with cameras and navigation equipment), which saves an enormous amount of energy.

Hybrids don’t seem to be a fad or some social experiment. Consumers and car enthusiasts alike are enjoying what they’re seeing in market. Everyday it seems a better designed, lighter; more fuel-efficient and powerful hybrid enters. Recently released models are even beating their gas-powered counterparts. One boasts a 255 hp engine with other capabilities such as being able to shut down half cylinders (without notice) while in motion to conserve fuel and energy.

Hybrid-engineered cars cost a bit more too. Usually price difference is around 3,000 bucks. And, it may take a few years (depending on gas prices) for you to actually make savings in fuel worthwhile. However, it’s still better for environment, and that lingers (and makes it worthwhile) in some consumers’ minds.

And, if you are still one to wholeheartedly grip stick of your V-8 without budging, you might take into mind that newer hybrid models are gaining on those petal-to-the-metal peelers of yesteryear. Hybrid models are inching nearer to (and even beating!) gas powered cars in 0 to 60 mph road tests.

So, when you decide that a new car might be a viable option in near future, don’t expect to see too many hybrids in dealers’ lots. You may have to do some across-the-state driving to find a choice. Do some preliminary searching on Internet and find out what model may benefit you and your lifestyle most. Keep in mind all that we’ve mentioned and perhaps—in future—you’ll have no other choice than a hybrid, which at this time seems to be by far best choice around.