Cars shed pounds to save gas at L.A. Auto Show

In Los Angeles, even the cars are focused on weight loss. Popular Mechanics recently highlighted 10 cars that shed a few pounds for improved performance for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Porsche 911 lost nearly 100 pounds, in part by using aluminum for the roof, doors and floorpan. All of the adjustments improved the car's fuel economy by 16.3 percent, according to the publication.

The Audi S8 also called on aluminum to trim the fat, making it nearly 700 pounds lighter than the comparable Mercedes S63, which weights nearly 5,000 pounds.

Reducing the weight of a vehicle will help to improve its fuel economy, and with gas prices remaining well about $3 per gallon, every drop counts for many motorists. There are other ways to improve a vehicle's fuel usage, including driving defensively and shutting off the engine instead of idling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that an hour of idling can use up to half a gallon of gasoline.

Drivers can also get regular maintenance and oil changes to ensure the vehicle is running well. An efficient engine will take less gasoline to operate, and motorists can save even more money by investing in a car warranty that can cover the cost of tune-ups and oil changes.