"Today's cars are really the best that have ever been built," said Steve Mazor, principal technician with the Automobile Club. "The most efficient, with good power, and everything about the car has improved."
Pretty much anything you buy today will get better mileage than the last car you bought.
Assuming you drive 12,000 miles a year, at today's gas prices a car that gets 20 miles per gallon will cost you over $2,700 a year in fuel. Each increase in miles per gallon drops that fuel bill. If you can upgrade to a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon, your annual savings would be over $900. Over the course of typical car ownership, money saved could be in the thousands.
But even if you plan to keep your current car there are ways you can still be more fuel efficient.
Edmunds.com has put some supposed fuel-saving tips to the test.
"Addressing vehicle ownership is an important part of our site and so providing tricks and tips on how to maintain fuel economy is just a natural progression of what our readers on our site like to see," said Mo Radji with Edmunds.com.
Result: Major savings potential
The Cold Hard Facts: Up to 37 percent savings, average savings of 31 percent
Recommendation: Stop driving like a maniac.
Result: Substantial savings on a long trip
Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14 percent savings, average savings of 12 percent
Recommendation: Drive the speed limit.
Result: Surprisingly effective way to save gas
Cold Hard Facts: Up to 14-percent savings, average savings of 7 percent
Recommendation: If you've got it, use it.
Result: Nice in theory; not true in practice
Cold Hard Facts: No measurable difference (unless you open the sunroof, too!)
Recommendation: Please, make yourself comfortable.
Result: Important for safety and to reduce tire wear
Cold Hard Facts: No measurable effect on the vehicles we tested
Recommendation: Check your tire pressure often but don't expect a big savings.
