How to spend less on gas: Fix your car. Drive slower. Ignore Shaq

Outrageously high gas prices are killing your wallet. But they could lead to a better life for the car or truck you've been driving into the ground.

That's because caring more for your ride can reduce your gasoline costs, experts say. Catch up on all the maintenance you've put off. Drive less aggressively. Leave the car in the driveway and walk instead of driving a mile to the store.

There's a long list of simple things you can do to squeeze a few extra miles out of each gallon of gas. Yes, some of them will cost you more than your next fill-up. And yes, some of them will consume more of your time.

But think of these steps as an investment in a more fuel-efficient future, where fewer of your dollars get hoovered up by oil companies.

Here are tips offered by engine mechanics, the American Automobile Assn., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other experts on fuel economy. And one from Shaquille O'Neal, which — let's just say your mileage may vary.

Maintenance issues

You know how much harder it is to, "fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done."