Lately the news has been jam-packed with reports a...

Lately the news has been jam-packed with reports about soaring oil and gas prices. We all feel a little extra squeeze at the gas pump these days with the average gas price now up to almost $3.30 a gallon, and experts predicting the price of gas to top $4 per gallon in some states this summer.10 Cars with Surprisingly Bad Gas MileageMPG CityMPG Hwy2008 Saab 9-7x Aero12162008 Jeep Wrangler15192008 Jeep Liberty15212008 Saturn Vue XE15222008 Pontiac G6 GT15222008 Mazda RX-816222008 Mazda CX-716222008 Volvo S8016242008 Pontiac Solstice19242008 Saturn Sky1924Many people have decided to purchase smaller, more fuel efficient and environmentally safer cars. However, if you drive one of these cars, you could end up costing you more at the gas pump. Even if you have a car that doesn’t get the greatest gas mileage, there are still simple measures you can take to save money on gas.Shop for Car Insurance (Could Save $301 a Year) Shopping for car insurance is a great way to save money. InsWeb consumers save an average of $301* on a 6-month policy. This savings becomes increasingly significant as gas prices continue to rise. Experts predict that if gas reaches the $4 a gallon mark, families will be spending an extra $400 on gas in 2008. The money you can save on your car insurance can help offset additional gas expenses.Keep Your Car Tuned-Up (Save 11.4 Miles per Gallon)Some mechanics estimate that a poorly tuned engine can use up to 50% more gas than one that is running well. In fact, according to the National Car Care Council (www.carcare.org), if you combine under-inflated tires, a dirty air filter, worn spark plugs, a worn oxygen sensor, dirty oil, and a loose gas cap, you could be losing up to 11.4 miles per gallon.Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated (Save 3.3% on Gas)Underinflated tires will cause you to consume more gas. The U.S. Department of Energy says that drivers can save an average of 3.3% on gas by keeping their tires properly inflated. The proper inflation for your tires should be specified in your owner’s manual.Drive at Steady SpeedsExperts estimate that for every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph, you are effectively adding $0.10 to $0.20 to each gallon of gas you purchase. Stop-and-go traffic adversely affects your gas mileage; since you are using gas but not going anywhere. If possible, try to avoid areas where traffic gets congested. Also, when that red light turns green, you don’t have to take off like a drag racer. Controlling the "horses" under your hood can reduce the amount of gas you use.Minimize Your Time in Your CarThe best way to save on gas is curtail your driving. Carpooling with friends or coworkers can help reduce your gas consumption and save you money. Scheduling a day where you can get all your errands done, instead of making a bunch of shorter trips during the week, can also reduce the amount of fuel you use