Pump Price Pain Tips For Saving Gas, And Your Wallet By Mark Mitchell As gas prices threaten to soar above the $3-a-gallon plateau in the year 2006, it’s not hard to find someone who shares in your misery of how this pain at the pump is a burr in their saddle. They may refer to the good ol’ days when a gallon of gas was less than $1.50 a gallon (which was just 10 years ago). While we can’t go back in time, there are some steps and tips which will help you get the most out of that gallon of gas. And with the $50 fill-up now commonplace, let’s get right to it! While a major step is to purchase a newer car because these engines are among the most efficient ever built due to sophisticated computers that maximize fuel consumption, many of us need to make do with our current car of choice, and with that in mind … let’s look at how to make do with what we have. • Tire pressure. Driving a car with under inflated tires is like running laps with 5-pound weights strapped to each leg. Under inflated tires can sap 4 percent to 10 percent out of a car’s potential gas mileage. The correct tire pressure, which might be different for front and rear tires, is found in a car owner’s manual. Check the pressure when tires are cold. When replacing tires, try to buy a new set with the least amount of rolling resistance. • Lower octane gas. Drivers can get by with using low-octane fuel—regular rather than premium—in many cars. But not all, some cars necessitate higher-octane fuel. • Economical driving habits. Everyone knows not to treat stoplights like a trip to the drag strip. But, fewer know that trying to squeeze through an intersection on a yellow light can conceivably use more gas than stopping for one. Stomping on the accelerator to make it through the light can drive gas consumption to higher levels than stopping and idling. Also, try to squeeze more out of a gallon of gas by combining trips. • Weight reduction. It’s time to open the trunk and see what kind of weight can be alleviated. Golfers who love to tote their clubs around can save weight by leaving them at home when they are not headed to the course. Don’t get ridiculous, however, keep the spare tire. • Tuning up. Cars run more efficiently when they are kept in tune. It often makes sense to get them tuned more often than the manufacturer recommends. You might do some of the work yourself. For instance, spark plugs can be easily checked and cleaned or replaced. It also recommended to pour a bottle of fuel-injector cleaner in the gas tank every six months or so to help the engine maintain peak efficiency. • Air conditioning. If you can get away without using air conditioning, you’ll save gas. But opening windows as a replacement won’t help. Rolling down windows creates more drag. • Proper oil grade. Use the lightest grade of oil recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. A multiviscosity oil such as 5W30 can save gas compared with regular 30-weight oil because it creates less friction. Basically, the engine doesn’t have to work as hard. • Filters. Dirty air filters make it harder for the engine to breathe. Air filters should be checked once a year and replaced every 18 months. While most of this article has centered on making your current car more efficient, if you are in the position to make a new car purchase, here are the top five most fuel-efficient and least fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. • Most fuel-efficient: 1. Honda Insight (manual, hybrid); mpg (city) 60; mpg (hwy) 66 2. Toyota Prius (hybrid); mpg (city) 60; mpg (hwy) 51 3. Volkswagen New Beetle and Golf (manual, diesel); mpg (city) 37; mpg (hwy) 44 4. Volkswagen Jetta (manual, diesel); mpg (city) 36; mpg (hwy) 41 5. Ford Escape Hybrid (FWD); mpg (city) 36; mpg (hwy) 31 • Least fuel-efficient: 1. Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (automatic); mpg (city) 9; mpg (hwy) 12 2. Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (manual); mpg (city) 9; mpg (hwy) 15 3. Bentley Arnage and Arnage LWB; mpg (city) 10; mpg (hwy) 14 4. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti; mpg (city) 10; mpg (hwy) 17 5. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S; mpg (city) 11; mpg (hwy) 17