By Town Crier Staff Report

With warm weather and vacations on the horizon, the American Automobile Association offers drivers 10 tips for cutting down their gasoline costs and increasing fuel efficiency.

Buy higher-priced fuel only when called for by the owner’s manual. Most of today’s cars are designed to operate on regular, unleaded gasoline.

Inflate tires according to the recommendation in the owner’s manual, or on a sticker attached to the driver’s door pillar. Underinflated tires can cut fuel efficiency and are a safety hazard

Don’t top off your gas tank. In warm weather, fuel expansion can cause an overflow, wasting fuel..

Maintain a steady speed. A car uses extra fuel when it accelerates. Using cruise control, when available, can help increase fuel economy.

Use the air conditioner only when needed. Most air conditioners have an economy setting that allows recirculation of unchilled air.

Check the air filter twice a year, or more often in dusty conditions. A dirty filter increases fuel consumption.

Know the correct starting procedure for your car. Don’t race a cold engine to warm it up.

Travel at moderate speeds on the open road. Higher speeds require more gasoline to overcome air resistance.

Try to minimize the need for braking by anticipating traffic conditions. Be alert for slowdowns and red lights.

Take care of car care incidentals that can affect fuel use. Defective radiator thermostats or a stuck brake caliper are common maintenance issues that can contribute to wasted fuel.