You probably already know many of the most familiar fuel economy tips. A lot of the things you can do to get more mileage out of a tank of gas are simply common sense measures. For instance, it seems pretty obvious that if you drive slower, your car won't burn as much gas as if you're running five miles over the speed limit all the time. But what else can you do to increase your fuel efficiency?

By the way, it has been estimated that every five mile per hour faster than you really need to go increases your costs to a tune of twenty cents per gallon. Sure, it is not what any of us wants to hear, but driving a little slower can save lives, too.

Having your car tuned up properly and in peak operating condition is a pretty obvious way to improve fuel efficiency, too. Actually, this is one of the most important fuel economy tips, because a poorly tuned engine can add as much as 40 per cent to your gas usage. Here are some more things you can do.

Use your cruise control whenever it is appropriate. It has been found to increase gas mileage a lot more than you might think. Also, don't carry around a lot of unnecessary things in your car, because extra weight uses up more gas, and a little here and there adds up. So keep your car cleaned out.

Think aerodynamics for really good gas mileage. For instance, driving with the windows down increases gas consumption because it creates drag. So do things like a flag on the antenna or a luggage rack. Removing the tailgate on a pickup can improve mileage by as much as 30 percent.

And then there are the things you can do to simply use the car less. For instance, you can walk, ride a bike, or use public transportation in many instances. Car pools are another good idea for reducing gas costs for a people who make the same trip frequently. Think about where you need to go and plan your trips efficiently, combining errands whenever possible. Read more about gas mileage and fuel economy at http://www.gasmileageimprove.com

When driving, the accessories on the car use energy and can be used more sparingly. One of the most notorious gas burners is the air conditioner. It is more efficient not to use it, but if you have to open the windows because of the heat, you might as well turn on the AC, because you'll be using the extra gas, anyway. Lights use more energy, as does the defroster. Use your accessories just enough to be safe for best economy.

Choosing the right kind of vehicle is one of the best fuel economy tips of all if it is time to replace your car. Smaller cars virtually always get better mileage than larger ones, unless they have powerful engines in them. Look for the smallest car that will meet your needs, and especially look for a four cylinder engine. It also helps mileage to use a car with manual transmission instead of automatic, so learn to drive a standard if you don't know how already.