Warm weather, long weekends and road trips go hand-in-hand. But with gas prices rising and road trip season on the way, don't get caught paying at the pump. Follow these fuel-saving tips from About.com's Cars Guide, Aaron Gold.

1. Check your air filter. A clean air filter is the key to good fuel economy. Remove the air filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new one.
2. Check your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are one of the most common causes of bad miles per gallon. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires when they are cold (driving the car warms up the tires and the air inside them, increasing the pressure).
3. Slow down. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you are one of the "10-miles-over-the-speed-limit" set, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer.
4. Hang with the trucks. In traffic jams, maintain a constant speed. It not only keeps shifting to a minimum but also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving.
5. Accelerate with care. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the engine - downshift if you need to accelerate.
6. Get back to nature. Shut off the air conditioner, open the windows and enjoy the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds, you'll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds, the A/C may be more efficient than the added wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.
7. Back off the bling. New wheels and tires may look cool, and they certainly can improve handling. But if they are wider than the stock tires, chances are they'll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy.
8. Clean out your car. The more weight your car has to haul, the more gas it needs to do the work.
Periodically go through your car and see what can be tossed out or put in the house. It doesn't take much to acquire an extra 40 or 50 pounds of stuff.
9. Out with the new, in with the old. A spare car, especially if it's an econobox, can be good insurance against temporary spikes in gas prices.
10. Don't drive. If you can avoid driving, you'll save gas. Carpool and consolidate your shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your health.
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