Learn more about your car

A key component of saving on your gas bill is to optimize your fuel consumption. You can do that by two ways – driving more carefully (i.e. improving your driving habits) and by properly maintaining your car.

Car maintenance is perhaps the hardest part to master. While we can learn to shop around for cheaper gas, or use prepaid gas cards, or even begin to alter our ‘bad' driving habits, learning about the inside workings of your car can be a tougher hurdle.

You can ease the teething pains by enlisting the help of a close friend or a mechanic. Something as basic as informal lessons under the hood for an hour each Sunday afternoon can not only help you understand what makes your car tick, you will be that much knowledgeable of what matters most when it comes to conserving fuel. Add to that the added bonus of being able to diagnose your car's minor problems yourself, and suddenly it becomes a necessary skill.

Another way to learn more about your car is to engage your mechanic in a discussion whenever you take your car for servicing. Most mechanics would love to pass on their knowledge if they are given the chance (and are properly motivated). Asking questions about the processes as well as learning on your own time (car manuals, despite their bad reputation, are a boon of information) will prepare you for the occasional self-servicing.

Intimate knowledge of your car may not be necessary. You don't need to learn how to change an engine (but tire-changing is a must). However, learning the basics, and more than just how the gear box works, will not only help you save gas, but also save a bit on car maintenance by making you capable of handling the basic tasks yourself.