Even though the cost of gas might not be as ridiculous as it was this past summer, there are multiple ways you can reduce your bill at the pump.

• Slooooow down: How you drive your car is just as important as how much or what you drive. Reducing your speed from 70 mph to 55 mph on the freeways can ultimately increase your miles per gallon by 15 percent. Avoiding “jackrabbit starts” (hitting the gas immediately after a red light) will reduce gas use by 25 percent; cruise control will also help you save fuel.

• Lighten the load: Extra weight in your car will increase gas use. Reduce the clutter in the backseats or trunks of your car – do you really need to keep five umbrellas, tools and golf clubs in there?

• Inflate the tires: Soft tires will not only slow you down, but can cut gas mileage by more than 10 percent. You should try to check your tire pressure at least once a month, if not weekly. Keeping your vehicle’s tires properly inflated will also prevent accidents and rollovers.

• Maintain the engine: A sluggish ignition will hurt mileage. When you change your oil (every 6,000 to 7,000 miles), have your mechanic check your cooling system. You should change your spark plugs every 50,000 miles and your air filter twice a year.

• Select the smaller car: If your family has multiple cars, get into the habit of taking the smaller vehicle whenever you can. Take the Toyota Camry to the grocery store instead of the Ford Expedition to save more miles per gallon.

• Avoid rush hours: There will be traffic wherever you go, but try to steer clear of intense rush hour traffic. Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours results in idle use of gas.

• Calculate the costs: Road trips can be fun but costly in terms of gas. Go to www. gasbuddy.com to find the cheapest gas stations in your region. A Web site called www.fuelcostcalculator.com will help you calculate exactly what you need to spend on gas for a weekend retreat.

• Plan your purchases: Plan to take care of all your errands at once instead of making separate trips. Try to fill up gas only once a week, and stay away from gas stations on weekends when it’s usually crowded and prices are more expensive. Avoid gas stations on toll highways, which also usually charge high prices.

For more tips on how to reduce gas bills, visit Real Simple’s Web site.