One way to deal with increased gas prices is to drive less. Another is to improve your driving habits; go easy on the gas pedal. But old habits are hard to break.

Another conservation measure is to be sure your car is using no more fuel than it was designed to use by keeping track of your gas mileage.

You may not notice a drop in fuel economy month by month but it could add up to well over $150 a year. This figure on the typical car using 500 gallons of gas a year at $1.10 per gallon, it works out like this:

1. If the engine needs a tune-up it could be wasting 15% (or more) of its fuel, due to misfiring spark plugs, inefficient fuel system and malfunctioning emission controls. The cost, about $5.00 per month.



2. If tires are 8 pounds underinflated, not an uncommon condition, rolling resistance of the tires increases by 5%. The monthly cost in wasted gas, $2.30.



3. If wheels are just 1/4" out of alignment, another factor that affects rolling resistance, chalk up another 2% or about $1.00 a month. Note: this condition, as well as underinflation, accelerates tire wear, thereby adding to the cost of neglect.



4. A cooling system thermostat stuck in the open position, causing the engine to run too cool, can reduce engine efficiency by another 7%. The monthly cost, $3.20.

That adds up to a monthly loss of $11.50. They point out that, while this hypothesis is intended to emphasize preventive maintenance in terms of energy conservation, it also bears on safety and reduced exhaust emissions.

Going back to hard-to-break habits, for every five miles per hour you press beyond 55 mph, you'll lose about one mile per gallon. A heavy foot when the light turns green also guzzles gas.