Driving habits that help save fuel

These driving habits are proven to help you get better fuel economy without having to change your favorite car.

In fact, many drivers have practiced some of these habits and have had success getting more miles per gallon of fuel.

You can increase your fuel economy by cleaning your car.

One way people can improve their car's fuel economy is to remove any unnecessary clutter.

Of course, carrying more cargo on a vehicle means it burns more fuel per mile driven. By some estimates, vehicles use about 2 percent more fuel for every additional 110 pounds (50 kg) of cargo.

Additionally, overloading your vehicle is not good for fuel economy. In other words, you should not carry more people than your vehicle is rated for. Doing so can also cause major damage over time.

Keeping your tires inflated helps save fuel.

Even the most fuel-efficient cars can become less efficient in certain conditions. This can especially happen if you're driving with too little tire pressure, as under-inflated tires have higher rolling resistance.

According to Fuel Economy.gov, each psi below the recommended level can cause drivers to use 0.2% more gas. This may not cost much now, but it adds up over time.

Use air conditioning less

Although some may think it is a myth, using the air conditioner in your car will reduce fuel economy.

In fact, reports say it can cause drivers to use about 10% more fuel than if they didn't have the air conditioning on. Additionally, rolling down your windows while driving at higher speeds can help your car get about 20% better fuel economy. Rolling down your windows can help drivers have a more enjoyable ride.

Smoother driving

Those concerned with fuel economy would do well to monitor their driving. In particular, maintaining a steady speed will help a lot.

Reports say vehicles use 15% more fuel at 62 mph (100 km/h) and 25% more at 68 mph (109 km/h) due to wind resistance. However, driving too slowly can also cause you to use more fuel due to being in a lower gear.

Experts say the ideal speed is between 31 and 55 mph (50 and 88 km/h). This is also the case for the most fuel-efficient cars. In addition, drivers should avoid braking too hard and should accelerate at a steady speed.