One of the really interesting things about the cyberspace age is the way that all kinds of information that’s out there can be classified, categorized, rated and calibrated.

With gas prices rising — and falling — weekly, it can be helpful to know where the highest and lowest prices are in your community.

That where Mainegasprices.com comes in. They maintain a fairly up-to-date report on price-per-gallon variances and can be accessed online by clicking here for gas prices

The site also offers these tips for saving some pennies at the pump:

1. Avoid High Speeds. As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph vs 75 mph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.

2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard. By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated. Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.

4. Use A/C Sparingly. When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.

5. Keep Windows Closed. Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.

6. Service Vehicle Regularly. Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.

7. Use Cruise Control. Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.

8. Avoid Heavy Loads. Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.

9. Avoid Long Idles. If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.

10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle. When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

Tips, problem traffic areas and questions can be e-mailed to A. J. Higgins at
ajhiggins@centralmaine.com