How to pay less at the pump

With gasoline prices still hovering near $2.50 per gallon in many areas of the country, you may be wishing you could afford a hybrid. The good news is, you can probably increase your fuel efficiency and reduce fuel costs right now. - without shelling out thousands more for a hybrid car or waiting a few more years until automakers produce cheaper, more plentiful hybrids.

Many americans are already driving vehicles that can run on am alternative fuel, but they may not be aware of that fact. Fuel treatments currently on the market can also helpimprove fuel efficiency.

So what are alternative fuels and why should consumers care about them? Simply stated, an alternative fuel is one that is not entirely derived from petroleum. That means the product, distribution and, ultimately, the cost that is passed on to the consumers is not controlled by foreign oil producers or domestic oil companies. Alternative fuels generally cost less than regular gasoline and are better for the environment.

Biodiesel and ethanol may be two alternative fuels you've already heard about. Biodiesel is largely used in commercial applications, while ethnol is most often used in passenger vehicles. Both fuels can only be used in vehicles with to run on them. Ethanol-gasoline blends, however, are more versatile. More gas stateions across the country are beginning to offer ethanol blends, like E85 and E10.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, E85 is a blend of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol. While E85 can't be used in conventional gas-only engines, Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) can run on ethanol, gasoline or any blend of the two. There are more than 6 million FFV's already on the road, and many automakers have announced plans to increase production and the EPA. If you're unsure whether you're driving an FFV, look inside your gas tank door for an identification sticker.