Alliance to Save Energy Offers Tips to Help Consumers Hold Down Gas Prices at the Pump During Heaviest Driving Season

As gasoline prices approach the $2 a gallon mark in most states - and $3 a gallon in California and Chicago - and as 66 percent of American summer travelers use their vehicles to get to their vacation spots, the Alliance to Save Energy offers tips to drivers to lower their total gasoline costs as they head to their summer destinations.

According to a recent Associated Press Poll about a third of Americans say the rising price of gasoline has caused them to cut back on vacation plans, change how they travel or even cancel trips. To help consumers enjoy their vacations while reducing some of the burden on their pocketbooks, the Alliance to Save Energy has these Power$mart tips for consumers that will improve fuel economy and decrease total gasoline bills:

• When renting a vehicle make sure that you refuel it prior to returning it to the rental company, or you may get hit with $4-$5 a gallon charges. Several places are now charging a refueling surcharge for vehicles returned without the same amount of gas in the tank as when rented out.
• Think high gas mileage if buying a new vehicle. Check out the Department of Energy and the ACEEE for more information on fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Keep your car properly tuned up and change your air filter.
• Properly inflate tires. Underinflated tires (4) can increase fuel consumption by six percent, according to the AAA.
• Drive a little slower - for each mph you drive less than 65, you save about 2 percent in gasoline consumption.
• If your vehicle has an overdrive gear use it. Overdrive gears reduce your engine's speed and decrease fuel consumption and engine wear.
• Use cruise control on highway trips to help reduce fuel consumption.
• Pack lightly when traveling and avoid carrying items on the vehicle's roof.
• Avoid jack-rabbit starts: accelerate slowly when starting from a dead start.
• If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
• Combine your errands into one trip to save on fuel.
• If possible take advantage of carpools and public transportation.