Sure, it may seem like gas prices only go up. But you don't have to invest in an expensive hybrid car to reduce your costs at the pump. With some simple regular maintenance, you can get better gas mileage from your existing vehicle, and also extend its life! The Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov site offers some useful car maintenance tips, such as:

• Keep your engine tuned. Proper tuning can improve gas mileage by 4%!
• Maintain proper tire pressure. Keeping tires properly inflated can improve your car's gas mileage by up to 3.3%.
• Use the right motor oil. The wrong grade of motor oil can reduce your car's performance, along with its fuel economy.

The Department of Energy's site even helps calculate how much money you could save per gallon of gas. 4% may not seem like a big deal, but accrued over time, proper car maintenance can lead to big savings!