As Americans are paying the most expensive gasoline prices since 2014, AAA East Central is reminding motorists about ways to improve fuel efficiency. Adopting responsible driving practices can contribute to significant savings at the pump and ease the financial strain of higher gas prices.

“The easiest and most effective way to increase the fuel economy of any car is to modify driving habits,” Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs for AAA East Central, said. “One of the simplest ways to keep your fuel costs lower is to slow down, as speeding drastically decreases how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel.”

To improve vehicle gas mileage, AAA recommends the following tips.

• Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 miles per hour.

• Reduce trips and lighten your load. Limit the amount of cargo in your vehicle when possible. Combine errands and possibly aim to get all of your errands done on one day of the week. Also, consider using the more fuel efficient vehicle in your household more often.

• Avoid “jack rabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption. Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to up shift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.

• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. Even in winter, idling and warming up an engine are unnecessary and wastes fuel.

• Look ahead. When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.

• Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on wet roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.

• Take advantage of fuel savings programs. AAA members have access to savings when filling up at Shell gas stations. More information is available at AAA.com/Shell.

• Keep tires properly inflated. Under inflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, tires low on air affect handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blowout.

• Maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular maintenance will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.

• Make all necessary repairs. Take the vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible if the “check engine” light comes on.

Contributed article AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 72 local offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, serving 2.7 million members.