- A V-8 engine averages 17.5% greater fuel consumption than a V-6 (that could amount to as much as $500 per year in fuel savings). A four-speed automatic gives you 5% better fuel economy than a three-speed automatic transmission. Consider this when buying a car.

- Also, when buying a car, it is good to find out if it has a lock-up device in the torque converter. If it doesn't, it means there is probably always slippage, which can increase fuel consumption by 6%. The lock up reduces this slippage and saves wasted energy.

- An automatic transmission will have an average of 5-11% poorer fuel economy than to a 5 speed manual transmission that is used properly. Most people don't know that power steering can add 3% to fuel consumption with its added weight and strain on the engine.

- By driving in a straight line instead of letting the car wander from side to side in the driving lane, you can save up to 2 mpg.

- A new car that is "broken in" properly can get as much as 5% better fuel economy throughout its life. Refer to the owner's manual for "break-in" procedures.

- When you go to foreign countries, many do not have gas pumps that reset to zero after each use. Many unsuspecting tourists are fleeced when they pay for their own gas and the gas registered on the pump before them. This is very common in Mexico. Don't end up paying for 50 liters of gas instead of the 30 liters you actually pumped.

- If you do an excessive amount of traveling, you may consider changing your final drive gear. You might want to get a low axle ratio gear so that the car's engine can turn the wheels faster at the same r.p.m.; therefore getting better fuel mileage. This lower final drive ratio is sometimes an option when buying a new car.

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