Getting better fuel economy may seem like rocket science to you. It’s easy to forget the human factor in gas consumption. We may not think about it, but every time we sit in a car without moving, we’re wasting gas. Every time we slam on the brakes or put the pedal to the metal, we’re wasting gas. Even small things, like keeping the tires inflated or removing excess junk from the trunk can save us money. Here are some more practical tips to help you save fuel, as recommended by the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC recommends driving more efficiently on the road to save gas. It’s important to stay within the posted speed limits, not just for fuel economy, but for your safety too. Experts say that your MPG significantly decreases at any speed above 60 miles per hour. While some American highways are posted at 65 to 75, you can usually get away with driving 60, so long as you are safely cruising in the right hand lane. Another tip is to drive less aggressively. While it’s tempting to step on the gas and speed ahead to the next light, you’re losing up to 5% of your fuel efficiency this way. For increased gas mileage, the FTC recommends anticipating the traffic conditions ahead, easing off the gas when you see stops up ahead and cruising to the lights. “Idling unnecessarily wastes fuel, costs you money and pollutes the air,” the consumer advocacy website says. Turn off your engine whenever you predict a wait of more than a minute.

According to the FTC, drivers can save fuel by decreasing wind resistance caused by roof racks or bike racks, which can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%. You can save another 2% by emptying out your trunk, the consumer protection agency adds. It’s important to keep your tires inflated, your oil changed every 3 months, your air filter cleaned and use the manufacturer’s recommended oil and gasoline grades. When you’re running errands around town, they also recommend taking as few trips as possible. Drivers have been able to save 50% of their fuel just by driving around town on a warmed up engine, as opposed to driving the same distance across several trips starting from a cold engine.

The FTC warns consumers to be skeptical of gadgets that advertise the ability to save fuel. For instance, the EPA has tested more than 100 devices that promise to “boost your mileage by an extra 6 MPG” or “improve your fuel economy up to 26 percent.” These devices include liquid blend enhancers, fuel line magnets and other gizmos. They found that many of these devices actually increased exhaust emissions or even damaged the car’s engine. For more information on the specific gas saving devices evaluated, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm.

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