Gas or petrol, benzene and diesel fuel prices are going through the roof. Here are some tips that can help you save your hard-earned baht and extend the time before your next pit stop or top up at the Jet-Jiffy, the PTT or the Caltex pump.

Smooth driving

Fuel efficiency is all about smoothness, and keeping calm is absolutely crucial to achieving fuel economy. By anticipating traffic, controlling your breathing, applying slow and steady acceleration, and braking smoothly, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%. Plus, your passengers will feel significantly better. If you're hauling pets, the dogs and cats will not get carsick.

Avoid high-speed driving

The faster you go, the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume. As your acceleration and speed increase, your aerodynamic drag increases exponentially. Driving 100kph versus 120kph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%. Also, at higher RPMs (revolutions per minute "engine speed") the engine and cylinders work harder and need more fuel. That's why the red-hot F-1 Ferraris need pit stops for refueling (and tire-changing) up to 5 times during one race.

Keep the pressure, the tyre pressure

Keep air pressure in your tires at the level recommended by your car manufacturer. It's marked on a sticker on the the driver's-side door jamb or in the owner's manual (if you can find it). A single tyre under inflated by 2psi, increases fuel consumption by 1-2%. Check your tyre pressure every 2 weeks.

Air conditioning: necessary evil

If you don't want to sweat your butt off, you will use the air conditioner. But the A/C compressor puts extra load on the engine, which burns up to 20% more fuel. Drive alfresco, sans A/C, sometimes. The late afternoon, at the time of sunset is recommended, especially if you live by the sea. Open the windows (and if you have a moon-roof, open that, too) and activate your olfactory senses.

Service your car regularly

Take your car to the service center, whether it is the Mercedes Benz­--authorized garage or Somsak's unauthorized Auto-Fixx behind the Aroy Noodle Shop. Poor fuel economy can be related to simple items, such as dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low lubricant levels. This applies specially to secondhand (pre-owned) cars.

"Tom Cruise" control

Today's modern saloon cars, especially the coveted European sedans, have a feature called the cruise control. This gizmo will maintain a constant speed over long distances saving litres of fuel and letting you take your foot off the accelerator.

Avoid unnecessary loads

Remove the golf bag, all the shoes, the camping equipment, the skateboard and the old newspapers and magazines you carry in your trunk or in the rear seat. A lighter car consumes less fuel. The trunk and the back seat look nice and orderly, too.

No excess idling

If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute (sixty seconds), turn off the engine! In über-environmentally-correct, zero-tolerance Sweden, drivers will get 6-12 months in prison if the car is idling for more than sixty seconds. And if they're caught idling outside a kindergarten or primary school, most likely the death penalty. Remember: Re-starting the car uses less fuel than letting the engine idle.

Buy for fuel efficiency

If you buy a new car, don't get carried away by the cool styling, the free tyres, the new car-leather scent, the crispy PVC smell, the cruise control, the CD, the DVD, the MP3 features, the moon roof and the ultra-smooth and sweet-talking sales consultant. Check the fuel consumption! The question is simple: How many kilometres per litre? A manual transmission (stick shift) will yield 20% more mileage. That's why all the pick up trucks and all commercial vehicles have stick shifts. The bigger the engine, the more it consumes. Super cars drink enormously. A "Lambo" Lamborghini Murcielago gets less than 6 kilometres per litre. The little Honda Jazz can get up to 13 kilometres per litre.

Drive and ride safely

Take a deep breath. Buckle up. Wear a helmet. Do not drink and drive. Drink low-fat yoghurt instead.