With so many Americans relying on their cars for travel -- whether for vacation, work, and family outings -- proper vehicular maintenance is essential.

Remember, when people in parts of the United States were paying over $5 per gallon at the pump?

Remember, how much you were paying for a gallon of gasoline?

Yes, gasoline prices have fallen dramatically due to a decrease in worldwide demand.

But, why spend more than you have to on gasoline whether $5 or $1.50 per gallon?

The following tips, from the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), will help save more of your money.

Before setting out:

Check Tire Pressure & Wheel Alignment

Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder.

Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be checked aligned by a professional. You can check tire pressure on your own or at the gas station.

Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual

Replace filters and fluids as recommended, and have engine performance problems (like rough idling, poor acceleration) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.

Making sure that your vehicle is in the best working condition as possible goes a long way in improving gas mileage on your vehicle. Pay special attention to your oil and filters.

On your trip:

55 MPH Saves Lives & Money. Break the speeding habit.

Speeding to your destination can decrease your miles per gallon by 15 percent or more. A good way to improve gas mileage on the highway is to keep your speed at 55 miles per hour.

Sudden Accelerations Guzzle Gas

Anticipate traffic patterns ahead, and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control where feasible.

Also, If 55 miles per hour is not your cup of teas maintain a constant speed. Accelerating all the time is much less efficient than maintaining a constant and law-abiding speed.

If at all possible avoid stop-and-go city traffic. The more traffic avoided the less stop-and-go, the better the gas mileage and the more money you save.

Use windows and air conditioning wisely.

Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on - assuming that the system is in good working order.

However, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic.

When you get back:

Make sure you remove all extra items and clutter right away to reduce the weight your vehicle's engine must push.

And take off that rooftop cargo carrier. Like closed windows, this will reduce air drag and increase your mileage.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians.

ASE-certified technicians wear blue-and-white shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area or areas of certification.

Their employers often display the blue-and-white ASE sign.