NOTE: These EPA estimates are quite a bit higher than the fuel economy you're actually getting, but they work fine for comparing one model against another. If your car doesn't tell you your real-world fuel economy, check it this way: drive your car until the gas gauge registers empty; when you fill it up, re-set the trip odometer, and make a note of how many gallons you bought; then drive it until it's almost empty again; when you fill it up again, divide the number of miles on your trip odometer by the number of gallons you bought: that's your real-world fuel economy.

2. Shop Right. If you're shopping for a passenger vehicle, be sure to tell the salespeople that fuel efficiency is important to you. Ask your friends and family to do the same. (This feedback to auto dealers filters up to the manufacturers.) Once you've chosen the model you want, keep fuel efficiency in mind in choosing options:

- An automatic transmission burns more fuel than a manual,
- A 4-speed manual burns more than a 5-speed.
- 4-wheel-drive models nearly always consume more fuel than their 2-wheel-drive counterparts, even when the 4-wheel-drive isn't used.

3. Skip the SUV. If you don't really need an SUV, don't buy one. If you just need an SUV for ski trips, try renting or borrowing one. If you absolutely must buy an SUV, consider a used one. This way, you won't be fueling demand for new SUVs and you're putting that used SUV in the hands of a responsible driver ­ you.

4. Your Second Car Can Save A Lot Of Gas. If you already own an SUV, consider buying a fuel-efficient car - perhaps even a hybrid - for everyday use. Leave the guzzler in the garage when you don't really need it.

5. Carpool proudly. Driving alone in a gas-guzzler just isn't cool.

6. Drive Less. Minimize the time you spend in the car by grouping errands and planning outings.

7. Drive Better. Speeding, rapid acceleration and sudden braking can lower your gas mileage by as much as 33 per cent. Driving at 55 mph gets 15% better fuel economy than 65 mph in the same vehicle. When waiting in your vehicle, don't waste gas and pollute the air by idling: turn off your engine!

8. Strip Down & Tune Up. Keep your car engine properly tuned, your tires inflated to the recommended pressure and use the correct octane fuel and motor oil. Lighten up: remove cosmetic grille guards, racks and other accessories from the exterior and leave extras like tire chains and road kits in the garage when not needed: every 200 pounds of extra weight shaves 1 mpg off fuel mileage. Also, external paraphernalia increase aerodynamic drag, dragging down fuel efficiency.

9. Take The Bus. Spend some time getting up to speed on your public transportation system so you know what's possible. Then make a point of taking public transportation regularly (say, once or twice a week) instead of using your vehicle. Consider walking or biking for short outings.

10. Get active on the issue.

- Talk to your friends about it.
- Work with your school and your city government to create safe routes to school.
- Read Keith Bradsher's High and Mighty: SUVs-The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way, Public Affairs, 2002.
- Call or write your legislators regularly about fuel economy and vehicle-safety issues.

Tips prepared by Don't Be Fueled! Mothers for Clean and Safe Vehicles.

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