Q. With the price of gasoline soaring, how can I lower the amount I have to pay at the pump during the summer driving season?

A. Americans are feeling a little woozy each time they pull into a gas station, with gas near $4 a gallon in most of the country, and well above that price in some parts.

With the summer driving season under way and people looking to take vacations, they can take steps to cut their gasoline costs — starting with maintaining their vehicles to help them run more efficiently.

Robert Sinclair Jr., a spokesman for AAA New York, warned that car technology might be actually getting in the way of saving money on gas. These days, drivers rely on sophisticated on-board computers to tell them when they need an oil change or other maintenance. It might be a costly mistake to wait for a blinking light on your dashboard before you get your car serviced.

"All the car manufacturers were screaming since the late 1990s about lifetime transmission fluid and not having to change the spark plugs," he said. "These things might be maintenance-free, but there are still plenty of other items that have to be checked to keep your car running — and that saves on gas."

AAA has guidelines about how to get your car in shape on its regional Web sites. Sinclair offers a few of the key ways to save cash at the pump:

OIL: Using more expensive synthetic oil, instead of the conventional kind, will keep the engine more slippery. That will lower the internal friction of the engine and burn less gasoline.

MAINTENANCE: Air filters are often neglected, and should be changed every 7,000 miles. Sinclair said a dirty filter "is akin to a marathon runner trying to breathe out of a straw." He also suggests changing spark plugs regularly to make sure all are firing at full strength. Tire pressure should be maintained and checked often to keep the car from dragging itself down the highway, he said.

PACKING: Before going on a trip, remember that most automobiles are within 200 pounds of the maximum weight rating if every seat inside is occupied. Overloading the vehicle makes the engine work harder, and burns more fuel. Putting luggage or other items on the roof is an even bigger problem — not only does it add weight, it impairs the car's gas-saving aerodynamics.

DRIVING STYLE: Putting the pedal to the metal might get you to your destination quicker, but it also can add quite a bit to your gas bill. AAA tells customers that peak speeds are between 45 and 60 miles per hour. For every 5 miles you drive above 60, that tacks on an extra 30 cents to every gallon of gasoline that you buy.

Another point Sinclair makes is to not let your gas tank get too low — running on fumes damages the engine, and causes further maintenance problems that could mean wasting gas. And, AAA members who run out of gas shouldn't look for a free bailout from one of the association's tow trucks. They're feeling the pinch too these days.

"Last year, we started getting more calls from people running out of gas because we'd bring you out three gallons free," he said. "We don't do that anymore, they get charged for it."