Southern California is now being affected by last week's wrath of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. The Automobile Club of Southern California is urging motorists to conserve fuel and adopt the most fuel-efficient driving style possible in the next weeks and months.

The Auto Club says good driving, repair and maintenance habits can help achieve fuel savings of 5 percent or more based on average miles per gallon over 1,000 miles driven. (Note: Tank-to-tank comparisons is effective because variations can occur based on weather and traffic conditions.)

-- Don't stomp on the accelerator. How hard you depress the throttle will greatly affect fuel economy. Drive "gently" to reduce excess gas use. Accelerate less aggressively, brake smoothly and stop speeding. Instead of driving aggressively, go on the defense and adopt a more fuel-efficient driving style. If you're not already driving defensively, now's the time to adopt a more laid-back and fuel-efficient driving style.

-- It's all about the oil. Proper oil maintenance and viscosity will help your car to operate at maximum efficiency. Heavy oil will cause the engine to work harder. Use the lightest grade oil for the Southern California climate. Check the chart in the owner's manual to find out what grade is best suited to your vehicle.

-- Let your engine coolant be cool. Improperly mixed engine coolant or poorly maintained cooling systems can cause your engine to run too hot and can hamper fuel economy. The right temperature makes the car run efficiently, so make sure your engine has fresh coolant.

-- Replace the dirty air filter. An air filter works hard on Southland freeways and roads and collects dust, dirt and debris. A clean air filter will help provide better gas mileage.

-- Fire up the spark plugs. A tune-up is a misnomer in this day in age. Computer-driven coil packs replaced the points, condenser and distributor in most vehicles a long time ago. However, spark plugs must fire properly for the engine to run smoothly. Replace the spark plugs on time, according to your owner's manual.

-- Don't ride around on big, big tires. For those who bought bigger tires and fancy wheels for SUVs and mini-vans, it's more than likely that fuel economy has significantly decreased. If you still have the original tires, switch them back. Consult the vehicle owner's manual for the correct pressure.

-- Tires. Tires. Tires. Maintaining your vehicle's tires is crucial to fuel economy, said Skaien. Every other fill-up, walk around the vehicle and check tires for uneven or excessive tread wear as well as proper inflation. Refer to the vehicle's doorjamb, fuel filler flap, or glove box for original equipment specifications or the manufacturer of the replacement tire for proper tire pressure inflation, he added. The Auto Club also recommends a tire rotation approximately every 7,500 miles, said Skaien. Check your owner's manual for your specific vehicle's service recommendations.

-- Service engine light. If the engine light is on, chances are one or more systems in the vehicle aren't working properly and can hamper fuel economy. Take the car into a reputable repair facility to be evaluated. Get a written estimate, if work is to be performed.

-- Keep it not so cool. Use your air conditioner sparingly.