Every year, we drive our vehicles millions of miles combined as a nation—together, we burn about 113.1 billion gasoline-equivalent gallons of fuel per passenger annually. Every mile represents more carbon dioxide and other air pollutants, more energy for maintaining roadways, and more energy for repairing and manufacturing our vehicles. It’s a pretty big toll on the environment.

Even if it’s not in the budget right now to purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle, there are many simple and inexpensive things you can do to improve the efficiency of your car, truck, or SUV. From removing excess weight in your trunk to maintaining your vehicle on a regular schedule—it all adds up to a more efficient ride, and of course cash savings, as well.

• Remove weighty items from your trunk to improve your mileage by 1-2 percent for every 100 pounds removed.
• For every 5 miles per hour you slow down on the highway, you’ll improve fuel consumption by 7 -23 percent and cut fuel costs by $0.17-$0.56/gallon.
• Stop idling your car and save $0.01/gallon for every two minutes your car is shut off.
• Drive less aggressively (foot lightly on the pedals) and you’ll raise your gas mileage by as much as 33 percent, saving you between $0.12 and $0.81 per gallon.
• Reduce the total number of miles you drive each month by combining trips or choosing alternative forms of transportation (walking or public transit, for instance). Reduce the total miles by 5 percent to save up to $65 yearly on gas costs.
• Remove your unused roof rack or carrier to improve fuel economy by 5 percent.
• Your car’s a/c unit will use the most energy when on the maximum setting. Turn it down to improve fuel efficiency by 5-25 percent.

Use a GPS navigation system to avoid traffic congestion and find the most efficient route to your destination to avoid waste fuel.