01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, April 16, 2006

BY PETER C.T. ELSWORTH
Journal Staff Writer

While gasoline prices are expected to average a record $2.62 a gallon this summer -- up 25 cents or 10.5 percent from last summer -- there are a number of things American families can do to save money by increasing fuel efficiency.

Both the Energy Information Administration, which predicted this summer's gas prices earlier this week, and Ford Motor Co. have recently put out reports on how to beat prices at the pump. Much of the advice is common sense, but most of us need a dose of that from time to time. The tips include:

Keep your car properly tuned. That includes keeping tires properly inflated and the wheels aligned. Wheels that fight each other waste fuel. Clean air filters are also important, as is the proper grade of oil.

Slow down. Every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph works out at an extra 15 cents per gallon, according to the Energy Department. Avoid aggressive driving -- fast starts, speeding and weaving -- which also racks up fuel consumption to the tune of 12 to 82 cents a gallon.

Avoid excessive idling, and use cruise control on the highways. And driving at posted speeds can improve fuel efficiency: Ford cites the Environmental Protection Agency which estimates a 10 percent to 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency by driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph.

Think ahead. Plan errands and group them together, and try to bypass congested routes and stop-go traffic. In addition, consider carpooling, public transportation or even bicycling or walking (very fuel efficient!).

Finally, keep excess weight out of the car, cut back on air conditioning and park in the shade on hot summer days. And when fueling up, use the lowest appropriate octane rating; there is no benefit to using premium gas in a vehicle calibrated for regular.

Andy Acho, worldwide director environmental outreach and strategy at Ford, says such measures can not only increase fuel economy by 25 percent, but is better for the environment. "We call it EcoDriving," he said in news release. "ECOnomical because it saves money and ECOlogical because it is better for the environment."

With crude oil prices flirting with $70 a barrel, there is no reason to believe that gas prices are going down anytime soon, if at all. And the EIA's price projection does not take into effect any possible supply disruption from hurricanes and storms this summer. Remember Katrina and Rita anyone?