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In the past several years the cost of oil has risen to roughly $100 a barrel. The high cost of oil is reflected in many aspects of transportation, but none more so than the cost of gasoline. Gasoline and other fuels based on oil run everything from lawn mowers, the family minivan, and cruise ships. As the world demand for oil rises, so does the need for higher efficiency practices and a thriftier outlook for the valuable natural resource. Listed below are several ways to help improve the efficiency of your automobile and keep some of that hard earned money in your pocket at the same time.

One of the first and best ways to improve the gas mileage of your vehicle no matter the make or model is to accelerate and brake slowly. An example of this could be looking ahead on the road and instead of accelerating all the way to a red light, letting off the gas and drifting a good portion of the remaining distance. Braking hard, in this same context, only eliminates the possibility of drifting.

Using cruise control along with keeping to the manufacturers recommended guidelines for tire-rotation, oil-changes, fluid flushes, tire alignments, and engine check-ups can also increase the efficiency of your engine and help prevent potential problems with any of the vehicles components.

Another way to improve the efficiency of your car is monitoring and upgrading your vehicles air intake. Most service stations and oil-changing locations will check your engine's air filter every time the oil is changed and this simple part can make a noticeable difference. Dust, dirt, and other extremely small road debris can clog and severely hamper the ability of the engine to take in the air it needs to function at its peak performance. Another possible performance enhancer would involve installing a device called the *Turbanator* (available at turbanator.com.) The Turbanator attaches right next to the air-filter and creates a rotating flow of air that could help boost gas mileage by up to 10%.

Another simple and effective way to improve your engines gas mileage is to use effective oil for your engine. Many service stations and even the manufacturer will often recommend a synthetic oil or oil that was created for specific engines like those with high mileage or those most often driven in cold or hot weather. One of the biggest enemies of gas mileage and also wear and tear on an engine is friction, and proper oil will help keep friction down and efficiency up.

The above steps are nothing radical, and many are even cost nothing to begin implementing as early as today. They are in everyone's budget, and are not only good for the wallet but a healthy practice for the environment as well. So remember the next time you fill up the gas tank, gas isn't as bad as it seems even if the prices are beyond your budget. Things could be worse in a way, you couldn't have transportation at all.