Try to avoid letting your car idle to save gas, even on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving to work.  This one is sometimes tough to adhere to, but don’t let your car idle if you don’t have to.  Studies show that there is no need to let your car idle (performance-wise) for more than 30 seconds even in cold weather.

New cars are specifically designed for you to be able to start and drive away immediately without any idle time.  Sure, you hear from some old-timers, and “motor heads”, that will tell you it’s harmful, to your engine, but that was then, and this is now.

One often overlooked way to keep from unnecessarily letting your car idle is to avoid using the drive-through at your favorite fast food restaurant.  If there is a long line, this is a huge waste of gas, not to mention a big pollution generator. Park your car, and use the walkup counter next time you stop for fast food. Or better yet, if you suddenly do have a craving for a hamburger and fries, save gas and burn a few calories by walking to your local fast food place.

Accelerate at a slow, steady pace when the light turns green. The faster that you accelerate the more gas that you are going to consume.  This “even keel” during acceleration helps you conserve as much fuel as possible while going from stop to start.

It may be tempting for younger people to accelerate and race away from the stoplight.  If you are a younger driver, don’t fall into this trap and you can save up to 20 percent in fuel costs, and possibly reap tremendous savings on insurance, just by having the mindset of a safe, responsible driver.

Yeah, I know this gas saving tip is blatantly obvious, and not very glamorous, but it’s also one that a lot of people need to be reminded of especially when it comes to those short drives that we already discussed. You know, the ones that are the hardest on your car and your fuel economy.  Besides, it’ll do wonders for your heart and waistline.

Seriously though, if you need to get someplace and it really isn’t that far away, just go ahead and walk if you can. If it’s someplace you need to go on a regular basis just know that it will only be hard for a week or two then it will get much easier, and your health will get much better.

If you need to get a little motivation (beside the high gas prices at the pump) then do like I did…Get yourself a pedometer and make it a little personal challenge to walk a certain amount of steps per day. For the average person 10,000 steps is about 5 miles, and 5 miles a day will most definitely help you lose weight, and breath easier!