MiddletownJournal.com

Pulling into the gas station, you feel a little pang in your stomach — this fill-up is gonna cost about $40.

With gas prices staying above $2.50 per gallon, a lot of drivers are looking for ways to squeeze every last cent out of each gallon of gas they buy. These tips from Miami Valley mechanics and fueleconomy.org will help:

1. Check your tire pressure. "Tire inflation is critical," said David Schnieder, owner of Dare Automotive Specialists in Dayton. "Inflate the tires to 10 percent below the maximum air pressure given on the side of the tire." For example, if the maximum pressure on the side of the tire says 44, the air pressure should be 40.

Bill Emmons, owner of East David Automotive in Dayton, recommends checking your tire pressure once a month.

2. Check filters and systems. "A fuel system cleaning will clear up the fuel passages and gets carbon buildup out. This lets fuel burn cleaner and easier," said Alan Tackett, part-owner of Preferred Car Care in Springfield.

Darrin Field, owner of Field's Auto Service in Middletown, said although it may say on the fuel filter to change it every 40,000-50,000 miles, for better gas mileage change it every 20,000-30,000 miles. Also, use fuel injector cleaner about every 3,000 miles.

3. Think aerodynamically. "When you have the air on, keep the windows up because of the aerodynamics of the car," Schnieder said. The car was designed to have the air travel around it and having the windows down creates a pull and slows down your car.

Riding with the air conditioning off will improve your gas mileage, but only if you ride with the windows up, Schnieder said. You will save more gas if you ride with the air on and the windows up than with the air off and the windows down.

Smooth out dents, because anything that changes the aerodynamics of the car will reduce your fuel economy. Air won't flow over the car right and will slow it down, said Jonny Brooks, part-owner and mechanic at Brooks' Auto and Tire Service in Springfield.

4. Condense your trips. Try combining as many trips as you can, according to fueleconomy.gov. Visit the grocery, mall and gym in one trip. You'll save gas and time.

If possible, change your work hours to avoid rush-hour traffic. You won't deal with sudden starts and stops and you can reach your destination faster. Also, check to see if working out of your home is an option or get with some co-workers and set up a carpool schedule, join a ride-share program or use the public transit system.

5. Keep your car tuned-up. Keeping your vehicle in top condition — changing the spark plugs, air filters and other parts when recommended — will make your car run better, Brooks said. "When everything is working right, that is when your car is at its top performance, and that is when it gets better gas mileage."

Emmons said to check the alignment and your brakes to cut down on friction that could slow the car down. Also, make sure you don't have a fuel leak and get your car looked at as soon as the engine light comes on.

Use the oil that is recommended for your engine, advises fueleconomy.org. Any other type can reduce your fuel economy. Also, oil with "energy conserving" on the label will help reduce friction in the engine, increasing your gas mileage.

Keep the antifreeze and other fluids at the appropriate levels and keep your radiator flushed out, said Winfred Coldwell, owner of Coldwell's Auto Repair in Hamilton.

6. Buy a new car. If you are in the market for a new car, go for a fuel-efficient model.

If your present car is around 15 years old and only getting 15-20 miles per gallon, buy a new car, said Jim Neely, owner of Neely's Auto Service in Middletown. "You will more than pay off your new car just in not using as much gas."

Coldwell said to buy a 4- or 6-cylinder vehicle because anything higher will get worse gas mileage.

If you're in the market for a new car, look for one that gets good gas mileage in a brand that you like, Neely said.

Hybrid cars will save you gas, but may not save you much money, Neely said. "They are nice and get better gas mileage, but they are expensive." If you drive a lot, you'll most likely benefit from the hybrid, but if your driving habits are typical, then the extra cost of the car won't payoff in the long run, he said.

7. Use good gas. "Stay away from fuel containing any alcohol. It takes twice as much alcohol as gas to run a car," Schnieder said.

"Run the right gas. If you need octane 89, use octane 89. Just go by what the manufacturer says," Brooks said.

"Another thing that will help is using quality gasoline," said Greg Reffitt, owner of Reffitt's Auto Repair in Hamilton. "You may pay a bit more for it, but you will save money by getting better gas mileage."

8. Don't speed. According to fueleconomy.gov, following the speed limit will increase your gas mileage. Each vehicle reaches its best fuel economy at different speeds, but the average is 55-60 mph. Going over that will decrease your gas mileage. For example, every five miles over 60 mph you go adds about 20 cents to the price of a gallon of gas.

Also, be a more careful, less aggressive driver. Speeding, braking quickly and rapid acceleration will waste gas. You can lose up to 33 percent of the gas mileage at highway speeds and about 5 percent of the mileage in town.

9. Lighten the load. Any extra weight will reduce your gas mileage, according to fueleconomy.gov. For every 100 pounds of extra weight in your vehicle, your gas mileage is reduced by about 2 percent. This affects smaller cars more than larger vehicles, but any extra weight can change the mileage.

If you have to carry a large load, try to fit everything inside the vehicle. Adding extra weight to the top of the car can decrease your fuel economy by about 5 percent.

10. Watch the idling. Whether or not it wastes gas to idle your car depends on if it is fuel injected or carbureted, Coldwell said. The newer cars are fuel injected so shutting off the car and starting the car doesn't waste much gas because it's pulled directly from the tank. When the car is in idle you are using gas but getting zero miles to the gallon — therefore wasting gas. Drivers with fuel-injected cars should shut their car off instead of idling.

However, carbureted cars are different. If you are just going to be sitting for a short time, then it's OK to leave the car on, because more gas would be wasted by turning it on and off, Coldwell said.