AAA Southern New England offers consumers two useful tools, best local gas prices at AAA Fuel Finder by logging on to AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips and Tools, and its new enhancements to the TripTik Travel Planner. The new and improved TripTik now enables users to customize their trip, provides easier navigation and an improved route modification tool. Users can access up-to-date fuel prices at more than 100,000 U.S. gas stations. They can also obtain a copy of the Gas Watcher’s Guide at their local office.

Here are some fuel-saving tips:

• Research local deals offered through supermarkets and service stations.

• Lighten your load: remove car carriers and excess trunk cargo.

• Tune up your car: the better maintained, the more fuel efficient it will be.

• Don’t idle your car unnecessarily.

• Keep your tires properly inflated; properly inflated tires improve mileage.

• Improve your mileage by driving at moderate speeds.

• Avoid quick starts and stops — they use more fuel.

• Consolidate errands.

• Walk, bicycle, car pool and take public transportation when you can.

projocars@projo.com