Consumer Watch: How to get the most out of your tank DAVID ELLISON'S CONSUMER WATCH

In these times of record gasoline prices, the consumer is in constant search of ways to save at the pump.

Unfortunately, there is yet another worry at the pump. Customers should be on the lookout for any that do not dispense the proper amount fuel, thus cheating buyers out of their hard-earned money.

State and federal officials want consumers to be aware that regulations require all gasoline pumps to start dispensing fuel as soon as the price starts rolling.

Sometimes the numbers start moving before the gasoline.

Bryan Black, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Agriculture, which regulates gasoline pumps in the state, calls this "pump jumping."

"You grab the nozzle and before you squeeze the trigger, the pump jumps. You have paid 3 or 4 cents already," he said.

Jason Toews, cofounder of houstongasprices.com and gasbuddy.com, said a pump's check valve can malfunction, causing it to dispense less gas.

"You may be shortchanged by ounces or sometimes at least a gallon," he said. "If you run into a defective pump, you can easily lose a couple of dollars."

Monitor the pump

Toews said, however, most of the time the retailer can lose money by having a tank dispense too much fuel.

Black said state inspectors find it usually is a 50-50 split between customers and the retailers losing money.

He recommends customers look at the pump to make sure it is in good condition, including checking to see if there is a cut in the hose that is dripping fuel.

Black said the department sends inspectors to stations every four years, or when it gets a complaint.

He said consumers can call the department at 800-835-5832 if they spot a bad pump. One also can visit the department's Web site, www.agr.state.tx.us, to report stations with problems.

Drive friendly and save

If avoiding faulty pumps isn't saving you enough money, here are some helpful tips to get better gas mileage.

One popular tip is to keep your tires properly inflated and vehicle maintained. Also, don't overfill the vehicle because the gasoline can slosh out of the tank.

Philip Reed, the senior consumer advice editor at Edmonds.com, said those work, but the savings border on insignificant.

He said most cities have a variety of gasoline prices in different areas, so commuters should search along their routes for the cheapest prices.

Another tip is to not use the much-higher premium gasoline unless it is required, not recommended. Reed said premium fuel is for performance, not fuel economy.

Reed does suggest proper vehicle maintenance, but the most significant savings come from changing your driving habits.

He said Edmonds, which recently tested some common gas-saving tips, determined that there is potential for major savings if a person stops aggressive-driving habits.

Using cruise control can amount to a 14 percent savings and avoiding excessive idling can save up to 19 percent.

On the debate over air conditioner on-windows up vs. the AC off-windows down, the study says there is no measurable difference unless you have the sun roof open, too.

You can find more details on the tests on Edmonds.com.

Also, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have a fuel economy Web site: fuelecon omy.gov.

Among tips to be found there: Drive the speed limit.

According to the site, "Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

"As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas."

That savings is based on a gasoline price of $3.51 a gallon.

The government Web site also recommends motorists use overdrive gears. Doing so makes the car's engine speed go down, saving gas and reducing engine wear.

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consumerwatch@chron.com