How to Save Cash at the Gas Pump

The continuing unrest in the Middle East and North Africa has caused gas prices to surge .

The national average for regular unleaded gas hovered at $3.56 per gallon on March 14. But most drivers around California and in the Bay Area have become acclimated to prices approaching the $4 range for weeks.

California’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is second highest in the country at $3.966. In Hawaii, the most expensive state to fill up, it costs $4.029 for a gallon of regular.

Consumers can’t control price, but they can change the way they drive.

Driving slower, adhering to the speed limit and using cruise control are ways to use less gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Driver’s who avoid rapid acceleration and speeding can lower their gas mileage 5 percent to 33 percent in the city and the freeway. Gas mileage drops when driving above 60 miles per hour, so driving in the slow lane is a cost-saving measure.

Using cruise control helps prevent unnecessary acceleration and braking and has the potential to save gas.

Using a car manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, removing unneeded weight (such as unnecessary items in the trunk) and servicing your car at regular intervals can improve gas mileage, says AAA’s Mark Woods in a video giving tips on how to use less gas.

Control of a car’s air conditioning system can also increase mileage. The video suggests drivers turn off air conditioning when climbing large grades. Drivers should also approach stops slowly, not rapidly, and accelerate from stops patiently without using too much gas.