Have you adjusted your driving to meet the realities of high gasoline prices here in Wonder Lake? If so, you have plenty of company. Many people simply aren’t driving as much because of the are paying more at the pump.

There isn’t much you can do about the cost of gasoline, or diesel fuel in Wonder Lake if your vehicle happens to run on that. Fortunately, however, cars, trucks and SUVs these days are designed to get better gas mileage than in years gone by. Still, that only helps so much.

If the price at the pump is taking to big of a bite out of your wallet these days, one other thing you can do is to ensure that your vehicle is getting the most miles possible out of every gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel.

What can you do to improve your fuel mileage? Here are several ideas. They won’t, necessarily, allow you to drive the way you used to, but they can help:

1. Maintain proper tire inflation. This is probably the first place to get to ensure your maximizing your vehicle’s mileage. Check the tires regularly and make sure they’re filled to owner’s manual specifications.
2. Try to avoid leaving the car idling for extended periods. When the engine is running, and you’re not going anywhere, your gas mileage is a big goose egg.
3. Plan you trips to avoid unnecessary travel. If you’re driving places you don’t need to go, you’re using gasoline to get there.
4. Ensure that your vehicle is running at its peak performance. It’s a good idea to bring it in to a trusted auto repair shop and have it checked out.
5. Make sure the tires are aligned. Misaligned tires may work against each other and use fuel to do so.
6. Avoid jack-rabbit starts and stops. Don’t stomp on the gas peddle or the brake. Try to gradually increase and decrease speed.
7. If you’re one of those people who likes to drive with one foot on the brake peddle, keep in mind that you may be adding drag to the car that will reduce mileage.
8. Go inside to order that hamburger or to make that bank transaction. Sitting in line with the engine running is wasting gasoline and reducing your fuel mileage.
9. Use apps to find the lowest priced fuel along your route of travel. 

You can’t do anything about the cost at the pump here in Wonder Lake or the surrounding area. But you can do something about reducing the amount of fuel you use when you drive. The short list above can help.