READING - With regular unleaded gas prices breaking the $3.00 per gallon mark and the summer travel season set to begin this Memorial Day weekend, state inspectors recently concluded statewide spot-checks of service stations to ensure Massachusetts consumers are getting exactly what they pay for at the pump.

The Division of Standards, an agency of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, inspected 197 gas stations in 65 communities for price accuracy and octane authenticity. Ý

Of the 563 octane samples taken, inspectors found just one instance of gasoline that failed to meet its advertised octane level. A.L. Prime at 319 Salem Street in Wakefield was fined $375 for the violation.

"With record gas prices hitting consumers in the wallet just as the summer travel season kicks into high gear, accurate pricing and octane levels are more critical than ever," said Consumer Affairs Director Daniel C. Crane. "I think these inspections help to keep gas stations honest and increase consumer confidence across the state."

Four stations in Seekonk, Milford, Wareham and Brockton were issued citations and warnings for infractions including failure to post price signs and octane levels.

Officials announced the inspection results - and demonstrated how octane samples are taken Wednesday at the Cumberland Farms on Salem Street in Reading.

"While we can't control the price of gas, the state can take steps to ensure that Massachusetts drivers are getting exactly what they pay for at the pump," said Charles Carroll, Deputy Director of the Division of Standards.

"Over the years, we have found very few examples of dealers artificially inflating prices or misrepresenting fuel grades. With just one violation, this year's results demonstrate once again how important unannounced inspections are to our continuing efforts to strengthen consumer protection throughout the Commonwealth."

According to AAA, gas prices broke a record for the eleventh straight day on Wednesday, with the nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded hitting $3.221 a gallon, up from $3.209 on Tuesday.

The price per gallon for regular unleaded in Massachusetts was $3.050 on Wednesday.

AAA has warned that prices will reach $3.25 over the next 60 days. With no end in sight to surging gas prices and motorists hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend,

the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Division of Standards today urged consumers to follow guidelines from the Federal Trade Commission in order to achieve their car's best mileage. Drive More Efficiently:

Over 60 MPH

Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Stop aggressive driving. Avoiding "jackrabbit" starts and stops around town can improve your gas mileage by up to five percent.

Other hints are:

* Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, money and pollutes the air.

* Turn off the engine if one anticipate a lengthy wait.

* Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Carpooling and ride sharing provides savings for you and others.

* Using overdrive gears and cruise control improves fuel economy on a highway.

* Remove excess weight from the trunk. 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car's fuel economy by up to two percent.

* Avoid packing items on top of your car. A loaded roof rack creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent.

* Take $30/$35 and put it into the tank and don't fill up until the same time next week (it's a discipline exercise and wasted trips are avoided if the needle has fallen.)

Maintain your car:

Keeping the engine tuned to the manufacturer's specifications can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent.

Keeping tires properly inflated and aligned can increase gas mileage up to three percent. Change oil regularly. Use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Look for oil that carries the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute.

These motor oils contain friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy. Replacing air filters regularly can increase gas mileage up to ten percent.

Use the octane level you need:

Use the octane level recommended for your car. For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit.

Looking for a new car? Consider fuel efficiency:

Alternative Fuel Vehicles typically operate on fuels such as methanol, ethanol, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and electricity as designated by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Using alternative fuels may reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. Federal Trade Commission rules require disclosure of all alternative fuel vehicles' cruising ranges and general descriptive information. It's important to understand the mileage on these vehicles' fuel supplies because some don't travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles offer another option for car buyers. These vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to achieve different objectives, such as improved fuel economy and increased power.

(Information used included that from the Mass. Dept. of Consumer Affairs.)