How to get the most gas mileage for your money

With gas prices at record highs just before a holiday weekend, we present some tips to maximize your car's fuel economy:

Drive smoothly. Avoid hard acceleration and braking when possible. The harder you accelerate the more fuel you use and unnecessarily hard braking wastes fuel to get back up to speed. It's best to drive smoothly and anticipate the traffic. Also, smooth driving not only saves fuel but will also extend the life of the engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.

Don't be a drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Items placed on a roof rack--such as a car-top carrier, or even a bike rack hanging off the back of your car -- add to the drag and can decrease a car's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Our advice: take these things off when you're not using them.

Slow down. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. A vehicle's gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

Get regular. If your car specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium. Premium fuel doesn't help your engine to run better. Also, many cars that recommend premium fuel also run well on regular.  Check your owner's manual to determine the fuel that is required.

Check inflation. Keep your tires properly inflated. An under inflated tire by only 2 pounds-per-square inch (psi) can cause a 1-percent increase in fuel consumption. Check your vehicle's tire pressure at lease once a month when your tires are cold.

Keep your car in shape. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10-20 percent. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's manual.

For more advice on saving fuel and selecting fuel-efficient models, see our fuel economy guide.

Also read, the report on the latest Auto Pulse survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, on issues concerning gas prices and trade-offs they might be considering.

--Liza Barth