Gas mileage improvements may not lower the actual price of gas, but it will keep you from spending more money than you have to. Here are 5 things you can do to improve gas mileage - starting right away!

Check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires, particularly tires that are low, or under-inflated, take a lot more energy to turn. This means your engine must work harder, burning more gas to go the same distance. Check your tire pressure everytime you fill up your tank.

Check your air filter. A clogged or dirty air filter doesn't let as much oxygen into the engine, resulting in less efficient combustion. This reduces the amount of energy your engine produces, again leading to lower gas mileage.

Change your oil. If you are like most drivers, you don't give much thought to your oil. But dirty, sludgy oil doesn't do it's job - lubricating the engine. This leads to wear on the engine, higher engine temperatures, and lower performance over time.

Drive during off-peak whenever possible. One of the most obvious gas mileage improvements you can make is to run the engine less. Driving during peak times, when there is more traffic and congestion, means longer trips, more idling, and more stop-and-go driving. Do your errands and shopping during off-peak times.

Combine trips. If you know you'll have to go to the supermarket, combine that with other errands such as picking up your dry cleaning. Again, less driving equals less gas.

These are simple gas mileage improvements you can make immediately. Yet most people will find that simply maintaining their car and driving "smartly" is the best way to improve your gas mileage!