Fall is finally here. With dropping temperatures, many people also expect for gas prices to drop as well. The perpetual yo-yo of gas prices has continued to yo-yo in the opposite direction. Gas prices are around $3.75 a gallon, which is hurting the wallets of many Americans. And if you live in California or some East Coast states, you might not want to look at the prices while you pump. Those residents are looking at more than $4 a gallon.

With gas gulping more and more out of our wallets, how can we offset the cost? Many people are simply not driving as much. Instead of going to visit friends, they are opting for a night in. That is fine and all, but once the cabin fever sets in you will need to visit the outside world. And there are simple tips to save on your car expenses. You can save money instantly by making some changes on your car lifestyle.

Drive slower. I know this sounds kind of goody-goody to drive the speed limit, but it can actually increase your gas mileage. Consider this: driving 55 miles per hour instead of 65 can increase your gas mileage up to 15 percent. That is a huge impact.

Embrace alternative transportation. This doesn’t mean that you need to invest in a bus pass. The most popular way to save money on transportation is carpooling. And this is not just for the average 9 to 5 set. Find that you visit your child’s school three times a day? Cut down on your carbon footprint and start a school carpool group. Might as well pick up five kids once a week instead of one kid five times a week. In addition to lessening your carbon footprint, you will save yourself oodles of time.

Tighten your gas cap. Did you know that gas can evaporate from your tank? Do not waste or lose any of your already purchased gas. Tighten that lid after each use. Gas cap missing? It is a bigger deal than you think. Some reports state that more than 147 million gallons of gas are lost through evaporation each year in the United States. With an average cost of $3.50 per gallon for gas, that is a loss of $514 million.

Skip the car wash. Car washes are wasteful for your money and for water. Event the cheapest car wash starts at $5 a wash. And a commercial car wash can use up to 45 gallons of water, while at home wash with a hose uses double that. Save money instantly by skipping the car wash. But this does not mean that you have to drive around with a dirty car. Think about a water-less wash with a spot treatment. Think of it like a fabric spot treatment. Use it as needed when you have a stain.

Find the cheapest gas. While gas prices are high across the board, it is not equal. Use gasbuddy.com to help you find the cheapest gas in your area. The site is updated by other users in an effort to help you score the cheapest gallon.