PVT

The American Automobile Association provides these tips on saving gas:

* Avoid luxury gas.

Premium fuel costs about 20-25 cents a gallon more than regular. If your car doesn't need premium grade fuel, don't buy it. You're just wasting your money. Check your owner's manual. If the manufacturer does not require high octane fuel, your car will run just as well on the least expensive gas.

* Shop aggressively.

Since prices change overnight, the gas station that offered the best deal last time you filled up may be the most expensive the next time your tank is empty. AAA of Northern California has a tool that can help. Located online at www.aaa.com/gasprices, the AAA Fuel Finder has real-time information on gas prices at more than 85,000 gas stations throughout the United States.

* Check your tires.

For every pound of pressure your tires are under-inflated, you could be losing up to 2 percent of your gas mileage. Tires could be down by five pounds or more and still appear to be properly inflated, but you could be buying 10 percent more gas than you actually need. If you don't want to do it yourself, ask the service technician to check the tires the next time you have your oil changed.

* Drive conservatively.

A lead foot can add significantly to your fuel bill. By driving the speed limit, accelerating slowly, anticipating stops by taking your foot off the gas pedal and taking excess weight out of your vehicle, you can often improve your fuel economy.

* Use discounts.

Take advantage of credit cards offering discounts on gas purchases. With the AAA Rewards Visa card, customers earn 5 percent back on gas purchased at the pump. More information is available online at aaa.com/creditcard or your local AAA office.