Well, let's face it. You can't control the weather—it could rain on your picnic no matter how well you plan. And you can't control the stock market—yikes, don't get me started. But you can take control of your vehicle maintenance and save some money in the process.

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) says motorists who properly inflate their tires “is like knocking 10 cents off a gallon of gas.”

The CFA lists 10 ways drivers can cut gasoline costs and gas consumption, and proper tire inflation is fourth on the list. CFA’s top 10 gas-savings tips were updated for April gas prices. At $3.50 a gallon, typical savings can be up to 35 cents a gallon, according to the CFA. The average tire under-inflation 7.5 lbs. causes a loss of 2.8 percent in fuel efficiency.

• changing a dirty air filter can save the equivalent of 35 cents a gallon;
• fixing improper alignment, 35 cents a gallon;
• engine tune-up, 14 cents;
• fixing/replacing a faulty gas cap, 3 cents;
• slowing speed from 70 mph to 65 mph, 25 cents;
• driving more smoothly, 62 cents.

“Americans can take steps to reduce the nation’s oil import dependence by maintaining their vehicles and driving them more economically,” a CFA statement said.

Learn more here: http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/gas_tips.pdf

Take control, folks, and you'll not only save some money on fuel, you'll help save the planet— one gallon at a time.

Hey, it's a start.

Pam