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CHRIS PUGH: Lower Ohio gas prices are refreshing. Here’s how to save even more.

By Chris Pugh

Looking forward to travel this summer?

The recent drop in gas prices should really encourage you.

Prices have fallen 11 cents this week, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

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In Youngstown, the average rate is $3.06 a gallon.

That still is a lot, but much better than when it was over $4 a gallon.

Lower gas prices will help ease traveler’s concerns about the cost of vacations over the summer.

How to save gas while driving

To save more money, AAA offers on its website nine tips for saving gas while driving :

* Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.

* Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard acceleration. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.

* Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in winter. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.

* Avoid prolonged idling in general. If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, shut off the engine to save fuel. Many newer cars have automatic engine stop-start systems that do this.

* When driving in town, adjust your speed to “time” the traffic lights. This reduces repeated braking and acceleration that consume additional fuel.

* When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early and allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake.

* Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.

* Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because a loss of vehicle control could result.

* If your car has a manual transmission, upshift as soon as you can without “lugging” the engine. When practical, you can also save fuel by skip-shifting – for example, going directly from first gear to third.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Information from AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report was used in this article).

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