The high price of gasoline doesn't have to bust your budget. According to the Federal Trade Commission and the AAA, what you spend at the pump depends on how you drive and what you use to fill your tank. Most automobiles produced in the 1990's operate efficiently on low octane gasoline. In addition, with proper care, newer model cars can be driven farther between standard maintenance and tune-ups, racking up additional savings.
Octane ratings measure gasoline's ability to resist engine knock.
Check your owner's manual to find out what octane your engine needs, then buy it. The AAA's experts say that about five percent of the cars sold in the United States require premium gasoline, yet premium gas accounts for 18 percent of all gasoline sold. Moreover, the organization says, premium gas sells for an average of 16 cents more per gallon than regular gas. Keep your tires inflated to the proper levels . Properly inflated tires provide less road-resistance and can improve fuel efficiency.