The manner in which a car is driven definitely affects fuel consumption. You can change some of your driving habits and save on gasoline. And changing the way you use your car will also cut fuel costs.

For fuel-efficient driving, the magic word is smooth. You want to avoid quick starts and racing between the traffic signals. Any time you rev the engine you burn extra gas. You save gas by gradual acceleration and deceleration.

Don't overuse the cruise control. The cruise control provides fuel economy only when making long trips on relatively flat roads. Constant engaging and disengaging of the cruise control mechanism just wastes gas.

You frequently see cars parked at a curb or in a driveway with the engine idling while the driver waits for a passenger or dispatches the passenger on an errand. Sometimes drivers leave their cars idling in the driveway while they return to the house for something they forgot.

Idling the engine is a wasteful practice as fuel consumption is less efficient when the engine idles. If you stop for over 60 seconds turn off the engine. Some communities have even enacted laws against idling a car except while in traffic.

Don't rev your engine. Some drivers are in the habit of revving the engine just before turning it off. There is absolutely no need to do this. It is a total waste of fuel.

Keep your cargo to a minimum. There are people who use their automobiles as an extra closet. This isn't fuel-efficient. For every one hundred pounds added to a car, fuel efficiency decreases 1%. You need to carry a spare, jack, emergency flares and tools. Anything else is excess baggage.

Drive just a little slower. Even airlines have experimented with cutting speed by one mile per hour to conserve fuel. Limiting the time you drive at top speed may save more than gas. Collisions are less dangerous at lower speeds.

In large malls you frequently see people driving from one store's parking lot to another or driving from a store on one side of a large parking lot to a restaurant or store on the other. Very often the distance driven is no more than a city block. Driving short distances at low speeds burns extra fuel. Choose a central parking spot and walk. You'll probably save time as well as gas money and the exercise is good for your body.

Carry your cell phone. Americans waste time and gas stalled on freeways in rush hour traffic. Use your cell phone to check traffic movement before going on the freeway. If the road is congested, consider going by an alternate route.

Plan your errands ahead to time to avoid any back tracking. And try to schedule them at non-peak hours so you can drive smoothly with fewer stops and starts.

And finally analyze your driving habits. Is every trip really necessary? For example, if you drive your children to school, could they ride the free school bus instead? If you drop your children at school on your way to work without a detour from your work route,it's no problem. But if you're making a special trip, consider other options such as the bus or car-pooling.

This may seem trivial like saving pennies. However, small daily savings add up to large yearly savings.