With fuel prices on the rise and concerns about future availability, you're probably searching for ways to conserve gas. Here are some tips:

Drive with caution. Don't exceed highway speed limits. Use moderate-to-easy acceleration. Gas mileage is negatively affected by fast acceleration and fast deceleration. If possible, use cruise control on highway trips. Maintaining a constant speed helps reduce fuel consumption.

Maintain a properly tuned engine. Dirty spark plugs do not create maximum spark and cause reduced horsepower and increased emissions.

Go easy on the air conditioning. Limit use of air conditioning, especially on hot summer days.

Use synthetic lubricants. Switch to synthetic motor oil and drive train lubricants. Independent test show savings of 5 to 8 percent using synthetic motor oil, gear lubes and automatic transmission fluid.

Maintain your car's air filter. Install a new air filter as needed. To get optimal efficiency from your engine, it has to breathe.

Take advantage of aerodynamics. Keep windows rolled up if you are travelling over 40 mph. At highway speeds, traveling with the windows open can create a wind drag that will lower your mileage. Also avoid using a roof rack; you can reduce aerodynamics drag and improve fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible.

Take good care of your tires. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and keep them blanced and rotated regularly. Use radial tires for less friction between tire and road. Also, make sure the front end is aligned for better mileage and a longer tire life.

Avoid excess weight. Pack light and clean out your trunk periodically. You would be surprised how much unnecessary stuff most people carry around in their trunks. Every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your gas mileage.

Minimize idling. One minute of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine. When possible, avoid drive-throughs. Idling for as little as 10 minutes while you wait in line can waste five to six miles of gas. Limit warm-ups to 30 seconds.

Plan trips in advance. Make a list of errands and try to take care of as many as possible on the same trip.