How can you save more money in relation to gas and maintenance costs on your car? This question is easily answered if you use some creativity and a little dash of common sense when you use your vehicle everyday. Check out the tips discussed below and you will find a good place to start stretching your dollar.

Stretching your fuel dollar starts with everyday driving and how you approach it. If you are planning to run errands, plan to do as many as you can in one trip. You would find if surprising to know how many gallons of fuel are wasted when you continually run back and forth from the house to do things throughout the day or week. This uses your gas more efficiently, and helps you to save some money. If you live close by to one or more of the places you need to go, consider walking if it is feasible. This is great exercise and conserves gas.

One of the biggest wasters of gas is extras that you run in your car while driving or idling. One of the primary villains is the air conditioner. If you can stand it or the weather is wonderful outside, roll down your window and turn off the air conditioner. Or, if you have to have the windows up, use the vent setting on your car to blow fresh air into the vehicle. The air conditioner can take a large amount of gas from your tank, and should be used conservatively.

Another way to save with your car is to be sure that your engine is running as cleanly and efficiently as possible. If you notice that you are using more gas than normal, take your car in to have its computer scanned by a licensed mechanic. The money spent here will make sure that no sensors are malfunctioning or going out, which can really add to your gas woes. If your car is reading the temperature of the engine correctly and other related functions, it will work smoothly and use less fuel.

A wonderful way to conserve gas as well is to consider carpooling with someone else to work or to run errands. You drive one day or week, and the other person then takes a turn. This keeps wear and tear on your car down, and also makes your gas go longer. You might have to put in gas money for the other person, but the cost will be minimal compared to you driving everyday.

If you are able to, consider trading in your current car for a more "green" vehicle which uses a combination of biofuel and gas, electric and gas, electric, or hydrogen that needs minimal or no gas at all. There are several out on the market that are becoming lower in price, and an investment now will pay back dividends in the long run.

Your car can be a great source of savings to you, so consider these tips to stretch your dollar.