By Special to the Town Crier

Americans are expected to hit the road in record numbers this summer. It’s a good bet they’d like to save money on gas. Response Insurance Company offers these tips to improve gas mileage:

Lighten the load by removing unnecessary items from the trunk. Every 200 pounds of weight reduces gas efficiency by one mile per gallon.

Avoid using a roof-top container, which increases the air drag. If driving a pickup truck, the open bed will have the same effect, so cover it.

Oversized and underinflated tires decrease fuel efficiency. Check the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for proper inflation.

Don’t turn on the air conditioner as a first response to the heat. Start your drive with windows open to exhaust the hot air out the rear windows, then use AC if needed. This enables the air conditioner to work faster and more efficiently.

Smooth out your driving style by avoiding “jack rabbit” starts and sharp braking. Both use more gas and present a hazard for others on the road.

It is estimated that every mile driven above 55 mph costs 1 percent in fuel economy. Maintaining the legal speed limit is both safe and fuel efficient.

If road conditions permit, using your cruise control to maintain a constant speed will help maximize your car’s performance.