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How to save gas is one of the topics of most concern to Americans as we head into the summer driving season. I was shocked to see that according to a survey published in Parade Magazine this weekend, survey respondents listed the price of fuel as their biggest financial concern. The price of fuel is rising, which is no news to anyone whose filled up their car or listened to the news in the past 6 months, but it's amazing that it has come to the point where the price of gas and other fuel is the largest financial issue on the minds of Americans.

That means one of two things; either people drive too much, or that they're living on the ragged edge financially and the relatively small increase in fuel prices as a percentage of their overall budget is putting them in the hole. It's possible that survey respondents were taking the larger picture into account, and including the effects fuel prices have on the greater economy as a whole in their fears about gas prices, but I doubt it.

I'll show you how to save gas in a bit, but many people are unaware of just how the price of fuel touches our daily lives. Oil prices have a chance to dramatically impact the economy as a whole, and it could do so even if we still rode horses to the mall for the latest sale at Macy's, and left the Land Cruiser tucked securely in the garage.

Why do oil prices so impact everything we do? Because we use oil for many things beyond transportation, and these other uses of oil touch every aspect of our daily lives. In addition, the use of oil for transportation related purposes goes beyond what you pump into your gas tank. Oil is obviously used for lubricating parts of your car, but it reaches far past the 5W/30 you got at Jiffy Lube last Saturday and the goopy stuff in your wheel bearings.

Just about every plastic part of your car is made from oil. If you've looked at the parts of a modern car recently, you're probably well aware that they have a very high plastic content. Everything from the dashboard to the seat belts, and the intake manifold to the accessory drive belts has a good chance of being made of plastic.

Even the tires you're rollin' on are composed of synthetic rubber, which is made from natural gas derived petrochemicals. I doubt a rubber tree was harmed to make the 275/40-18s that shod those expensive rims, but you can bet that there's part of dead dinosaur in there. Unless your car is finished in polished metal, it's most likely covered in some type of paint, which is made from, yes, you guessed it, oil. Lastly, there's the road itself. Besides the fact that diesel burning machinery was used to actually construct the road, asphalt roads are made from oil and gravel.

As noted above most plastics are made from petrochemicals, which is a fancy name for stuff made from oil. Almost everything in your house is made in some way from oil. The computer you're reading this on; the TV that your kids are watching so you can have the time to read this; the floor your chair is on (even if it's wood, the finish is most likely comprised of oil, smart guy); the paint, plastic, foam, and/or fabric on the chair; the blinds or curtains on your windows; the paint on your walls and appliances, the plastic parts on everything in your home; the water hose in your yard; the pipes in your walls; the vapor barrier that protects your house; the plastic sheeting in your crawl space that keeps out the Radon; the Vinyl siding; the plastic around the windows; the insulation on the wire and cables in your walls; and the shingles on your roof; almost all are composed partially or entirely of oil based chemicals. Many of the cleaning products under your sink are also made from oil too.

That only touches on oil uses in your house. Food prices are dramatically impacted by the cost of fuel and oil. Many fertilizers are made from oil. Diesel is used to run the machinery that plants, tends, and harvests the crops. Diesel runs the irrigation pumps that keep the crops green. Of course diesel fuels the trains and trucks that get that food to the warehouse food store (you don't still shop at the overpriced big-name food stores, do you?) where you can actually buy it. Much of the packaging that the food is in is composed of plastic as well.

The truth is that however much had wringing accompanies gas prices rising at the pump, people would pull their hands clean off if they knew how much we really use oil. The other truth is that we can't just stop using oil, even if we never drove another mile, and it's plain unrealistic to pretend otherwise. We can cut back our use of the stuff however,and the pace that most people can do that the easiest, and with the most potential to save money, is in their vehicles.

How to Save Money on Gas -1
What kind of Gas do You Need?
If you're trading in your ¾ ton 4x4 for something that's a bit more miserly, check to see what grade of fuel it burns. Diesel is now more expensive than gas and it's likely to remain so for the foreseeable future due to the way American refineries are set up, and the increasing demand for diesel fuel in the world. So if you're counting on fuel savings because that E320 BlueTec gets such stellar mileage for a large sedan, remember that you may save on the gallons, but you may not on the total dollars you spend for fuel. The same holds true for gas burning cars. Be aware that some cars require premium fuel to deliver the economy and performance they're capable of. Check the manufacturer's fuel requirements before you buy a car to avoid paying an extra 20 to 30 cents a gallon for premium gas. Many premium and performance oriented vehicles require premium gas as well.

One more thing, that cute, little Smart for 2 is a joke. While it may look like it will save you a huge amount of money on gas, it actually doesn't get very high fuel economy, especially given it's extremely small size. You can get better gas mileage and more utility from numerous other offering from the likes of Toyota, Honda, and VW. If you want to check out a hybrid vehicle from Ford, Toyota, or Honda, you can do even better, but you'll pay a premium at the sales desk, even after you take the tax credit into account, in most cases. Whatever you choose, if you get Smart you'll get better mileage and have room for 4 to boot (but not in it, for those of you in the UK).

How to Save Money on Gas – 2
The largest single impact on fuel economy besides the type of vehicle itself is how you drive it. I regularly exceed 18mpg combined from a V8, 4x4 SUV because I drive like a granny 98% of the time. While that's not what I'd get out of something that was really fuel efficient, I need the space and 4wd capability on a regular basis. Driving to save fuel requires a light foot and careful planning. You must plan ahead to stop, because every time you step on the brake, you're converting expensive gas to heat, instead of forward motion. Let off on the gas pedal well before a stop and gradually apply the brake. The same goes for leaving the stop. Press on the accelerator pedal like there's an orange between the pedal and your foot and the orange is all you brought for lunch. If you crush it, you'll be scraping OJ off your gas pedal for lunch.

Keep your speed low on the freeway, because driving faster does waste fuel, like they told you in the '70's. Personally however, on long trips I'm no fan of the double nickel. The extra time wasted can never be recovered, but I can earn back the extra $10 I spent on fuel driving 75 for 5 hrs. On short trips of 20 – 30 minutes you'll save little time by going faster than 60, but you will waste gas, especially if that's all you ever drive. All that wasted gas going fast on short trips adds up at the end of the year.

How to Save Money on Gas – 3
That brings up something else. Don't take so many short trips. Your car isn't as efficient on short trips because it never gets fully warmed up. It's also worse for the engine, because combustion byproducts don't have a chance to evaporate out of your oil, accelerating wear and tear on your engine. Combine short trips into a longer one hopefully with fewer total stops.

How to Save Money on Gas – 4
If you're stopped at a light for long periods of time, such as longer than a minute, and you're driving a newer car, turn off the engine. You'll save fuel and not emit any emissions while your vehicle isn't running (stands to reason). In Europe, where gas runs $6- $8 a gallon (got to love those tax happy governments), this fuel saving technique is regularly practiced. Don't use this method if you have an older car. They don't have the modern engine and fuel management systems necessary to start rapidly without wasting fuel and increasing start up emissions. You don't want to be that person at the light when your car doesn't start back up in a hurry.

How to Save Money on Gas – 5
Proper maintenance is key to maximize fuel economy and the life of your vehicle. Keep tires properly inflated to the pressure recommended by that sticker inside your driver's door. Make sure your air filter is clean and your oil and oil filter is changed regularly. Make sure your car is tuned up (these days that really only means changing the plugs for many vehicles) at the recommended intervals. These items can add up to substantial savings in the 20 – 30% range over the same vehicle where these things are neglected.

How to Save Money on Gas – 6
Finally, watch where you buy gas and plan your fuel stops. In many locations the price of real estate and regulations is reflected in the price of fuel. Gas stations in more expensive parts of town will be commensurately more expensive to buy fuel in. The same is true for locations with higher fuel taxes. You can often save 20 cents or more at the pump depending upon where you buy your gas.

Use these tips on how to save money on gas to keep your head above water, and if you don't have to, don't drive, although that advice on saving gas has always seemed rather ridiculous to me. Few people I know take trips simply for the hell of it. Most have to actually get somewhere!

Can you use water in your car or truck and get a 50% or more increase in gas mileage? It's not "burning water", like some people say, but extracting the hydrogen in the water as you drive, and using that to augment the gasoline, so your engine needs less gas. I don't know, but it sure sounds great. Decide for yourself here.