There’s no way around it: from car payments to regular maintenance, having a vehicle costs money. However, fueling up is probably the expense you’re most familiar with. As you know, every penny you spend or save at the pump adds up over time, so it’s in your best interest to find ways to increase your fuel efficiency. One of those ways? Changing your driving habits. The next time you’re behind the wheel, heed these tips to spend less money at the gas station.

Be Gentle When Accelerating and Stopping

Avoid sudden, engine-fatiguing accelerations and stops is one of the biggest ways you can make your driving more fuel efficient. When you put your vehicle to the test, your engine is burning more fuel than it normally would, which obviously takes a toll on both the car and its fuel efficiency. Easing up on the gas and brake pedals will make your fill-ups a little more manageable, and you’ll have the added benefit of keeping your engine healthy, saving you on larger maintenance costs.

Don’t Speed

There are plenty of reasons you shouldn’t speed. For one, it’s against the law, and more importantly, it’s unsafe to you and other drivers on the road. But among the reasons you should watch your speedometer is that it’s bad for your fuel economy. Speeding is detrimental to your fuel efficiency, just as recklessly accelerating and braking is. Although you’ll find that your vehicle is most efficient on the highway, regularly going over the speed limit puts your engine to the test, decreasing your mileage and increasing your chances of needing to see a mechanic sooner.

Let the Car Warm Up While You Drive

Nobody likes a freezing cold car, especially during the winter. However, if you’re a person who needs to warm their car up on those chilly mornings, you might want to rethink your habits. Leaving your car idling for more than one minute is simply a waste of fuel. Plus, you’ll find that your car warms up much more quickly when you’re driving, meaning that leaving it idling beforehand can be a waste of time (and money).

Cool It on the A/C

If you didn’t already know, your car’s heating, which comes from the warmth your car’s engine gives off, doesn’t actually have much of an effect on your fuel efficiency. The air conditioning, on the other hand, is a bit more dastardly if you’re trying to save money. During the warmer months, avoid blasting the A/C and try to rely more on your car’s cool, non-conditioned air. Do note that rolling down the windows might provide a little relief, but that too can harm on your fuel efficiency.

Of course, improving your driving habits will do a lot to improve your fuel efficiency and save you some money, but it’s not the only way to pay less at the pump. Keep your tires properly inflated and ditch any unessential cargo weighing you down, and you’ll see your savings increase moreso. While you won’t cut your gas bill in half, the savings you earn might end up being a nice surprise.