Got gas?

In these times of slightly higher gas prices (nothing compared to what we paid in adjusted dollars in the early 1980's and compared to what they pay in Europe), I offer some suggestions for increasing your gas mileage:

1. Sell your SUV. There's nothing you can't haul with a good station wagon and/or utility trailer.
2. Inflate your tires to the maximum. Don't go by the label on your door that might say 22 or 24 PSI. Pump them all the way up to (35 for most cars) the max listed on the side of the tire.
3. When filling up, DON'T "click, click, click" more gas into your tank. When the pump stops, stop pumping. Most cars need a small airspace at the top of the tank to work properly. Without this, your car might not run properly (using more gas), and could stall.
4. Take all of the crap out of your car. Now, I don't mean the good stuff like a shovel, boots, spare tire, case of beer, cyanide pills or any other emergency supplies. Just remove the crap that is weighing you down.
5. Do not buy premium gas. Higher octane gas is HARDER for your car to burn. 99% of cars get worse mileage on premium, and it doesn't have more "power".
6. For god sakes, slow the hell down. The next stoplight is only a half mile away, and it's not going anywhere. What's the hurry?
7. Let up on the gas long before you get there. Look ahead and plan to let the car slow down on its own. Braking simply wastes the energy you have put into your car's motion.
8. Don't run your car to warm up the engine. Although it makes it warmer for you, it wastes gas and causes unnecessary wear on your car. In cold weather, start your car, gently put it in gear and drive away slowly.

That's a good enough lecture for now. Carry on.