(This is an abridged version of an article from AAA. Read the original here.)

Good news: “There are a lot of things we can do to lessen our environmental impact behind the wheel while saving money as well.” That’s the word from John Nielsen, AAA’s National Director of Auto Repair, Buying Services and Consumer Information.

Here are five suggestions.

1) Imagine Eggs Under the Pedals
The easiest and most effective way to drive ‘greener’ is to change how you drive. Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals. When you see a red light ahead, ease off the gas and coast up to it instead of waiting until the last second to brake. Once the light turns green, accelerate gently, rather than making a ‘jack rabbit’ start.

“Imagine there are eggs beneath your gas and brake pedals. Apply pressure gently to the pedals in order to avoid breaking the egg,” explained Nielsen. “Changing your driving style can have a tremendous impact on the amount of gas your car uses, making it not just a ‘greener’ choice, but one that can really save you money with today’s high fuel prices.”

(The U.S. Department of Energy reports aggressive driving can reduce a car’s fuel economy up to 33 percent. )

2) Just Slow Down
The fuel efficiency of most vehicles decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.

“When AAA says slow down, that doesn’t mean becoming a moving roadblock on the highway. Safety should remain paramount. However, simply driving the speed limit or a few miles per hour less can reduce fuel consumption up to 23 percent,” noted Nielsen.

(Each 5 mph driven over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.)

3) Keep Your Car in Shape
A car that’s not properly maintained can produce more exhaust emissions and consume more fuel than necessary. “Dust off the owner’s manual and locate the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule inside. Making sure all recommended maintenance is up to date will help your car run with optimum efficiency,” said Nielsen.

AAA recommends having any vehicle problems, including illuminated warning lights, addressed by a qualified, trained technician. Minor adjustments and repairs can affect emissions and fuel economy by up to four percent, while more serious problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce gas mileage as much as 40 percent.

4) Choose a ‘Greener’ Car
When shopping for a new car, consider the wide variety of ‘green’ vehicle options now available from automakers. AAA recently released its 2011 list of top picks for ‘green’ vehicles.

Even those not in the market for a newer vehicle may have the option of choosing a ‘greener’ car. If you have more than one vehicle, choose to drive the ‘greener’ model more frequently when running errands or making other trips.

5) Think and Plan Ahead
Think ahead before heading out to the store or on another errand. Try to combine multiple trips into one. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a single longer trip when the engine is warm. Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles, eliminate backtracking and avoid heavy traffic times.

Related Post: 7 Tips to UP Your Gas Mileage