Seven ways to save gas this summer

You may wonder if driving is the smartest way to get around this summer. Gas prices have been falling, but certain long-term factors, including instability in the Middle East and rising global demand for crude oil, will cause fluctuations. But there are ways to save. – By Victoria A. Riccardi, Globe Correspondent

Maintain your car – The US Department of Energy reports that you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by making sure all four tires are inflated to the proper pressure (found in the owner’s manual). Also, keep your engine tuned, which can increase gas mileage by about 4 percent. Changing oil at the proper time and using the proper oil grade also can improve fuel economy.

Develop good driving habits – Drive the speed limit, which is more fuel efficient. Consider using cruise control to maintain a constant proper speed. Gas mileage usually decreases dramatically at speeds above 60 miles per hour, according to www.fueleconomny.gov. Additionally, rapid starts and quick stops can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Excess idling also guzzles gas, up to a quarter to a half gallon per hour. Last, but not least, the Federal Trade Commission recommends turning on the air conditioner only as necessary and on the ’’economy’’ setting, if available.

Fuel up efficiently – “Knowledge is power at the pump,” says Mary M. Maguire, director, Public Legislative Affairs, AAA Southern New England, “so know the range of prices for gasoline in your area, so you can be a smart shopper.’’ The FTC suggests consulting specialized phone apps and websites to guide you to the cheapest gas in your area. It also recommends using a credit card that offers cash back to pay for gas. Another tip from Maguire is to fill up your tank close to home versus in heavy tourist areas, where prices may be inflated. Also, she adds, “If your car doesn’t need mid-grade or premium fuel then fill up on regular gasoline.”

Plan ahead – The lighter your car the more fuel efficient it will be, so “remove the junk from your trunk,” says Maguire. An extra 100 pounds can reduce efficiency by up to 2 percent, according to www.fueleconomy.gov. This means also removing your roof rack, which when loaded creates aerodynamic drag that can reduce your fuel economy by 5 percent, reports the FTC. It also suggests doing all errands in one trip because a constantly warm engine can use half the amount of fuel as one that keeps getting turned on from a cold start.

Take advantage of free tools – AAA has numerous on-line guides and tools: In addition to the Gas Watcher’s Guide, it offers a Fuel Cost Calculator to help you figure out the cost of driving from point A to point B, based on the make, model, and year of your car. There are times, says Maguire, when it costs less to fly. “Basically, you have to sit down and calculate the mileage with gas and tolls, wear and tear on the car, any hotels and meals, and whether you have to have a car when you get to your destination,” she says

Be creative – Despite current gas prices, half of Americans (51 percent) who usually take a summer vacation will do so this summer, according to the recently released HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report from HomeAway Inc. One way to save gas on that vacation is to travel closer to home. “There are so many great travel destination in New England,” says Maguire, “like the Maine coast, Newport, the Green Mountains, the Berkshires, and Cape Cod. In fact, it’s easy to do a vacation on Cape Cod with a tank of gas or less.”

Buy a hybrid – If you are in the market for a new car, you can’t beat the fuel efficiency of a hybrid.