ANCHOR TOSS: If you have been watching Today In LA, you most likely have seen our new segment airing on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The Gas Price Forecast is designed to help you save money by predicting when gas prices are heading up or down. If you followed our advice -- you most likely have saved some money at the pump.

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But who is making these predictions and how do they do it? Tonight Ana Garcia introduces you to the man behind the gas price forecast.

ANA GARCIA: It's gasoline prices that fuel Charles Langley.

He drives around San Diego in a fuel-efficient car reciting gas prices into a cassette recorder, and he rolls with posse.

CHARLES LANGLEY: We operate a network of spies here in San Diego, between 15 and 25 people.

ANA GARCIA: Langley says he takes intelligence gathered by his spies, mixes it with info he claims comes from buyers and oil industry insiders and crunches the numbers.

CHARLES LANGLEY: The oil industry would love to get their hands on that list. That's why we are so cloak and dagger.

ANA GARCIA: So who is this Charles Langley? An energy expert and a consumer advocate with San Diego based Utility Consumers Action Network or U.C.A.N. for short. They say they're a non-profit working to help consumers profit... not big corporations

CHARLES LANGLEY: Our goal is, One, to expose abuses in the oil industry and the refining industry. Second, it's to save you money. We want to empower consumers with the ability to buy gas at the right time and at the right place.

ANA GARCIA: U.C.A.N. claims it has helped saved San Diego residents millions of dollars over the last five years by forecasting gas prices and advocating against gas rate hikes.

So Channel 4 has commissioned an exclusive survey from U.C.A.N. to help predict what you'll pay at the pump in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

CHARLES LANGLEY: What we can tell you is when to buy gas, when not to buy gas, and give you an idea of where to buy it, where is the cheapest gas? And with that knowledge you can save hundreds and hundreds of dollars a year.

ANA GARCIA: Since premiering on Channel 4 two weeks ago, his gas price forecast has been 100 percent accurate. But if you factor in the last five years that drops to...

CHARLES LANGLEY: ...somewhere in the neighborhood of 98 percent.

ANA GARCIA: When we pressed Langley for more details on how he does it....

CHARLES LANGLEY: If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

ANA GARCIA: On that note, time for me to say good night! Remember to watch our next gas forecast!

ANCHOR TAG: To help stretch your fuel dollars, all you have to do is watch Today In LA to find out the cheapest days to fill up your tank.

UCAN's Gas-Saving Tips For Travelers

• Never top off your tank, as the fuel inside needs room to slosh around, especially when it’s hot and the gas expands, causing wasteful spillage. For the same reasons, also make sure your gas cap is fastened tight after filling up.
• Consolidate your trips, as starting up your car each time for quick trips wastes gas.
• It is more efficient toward your vehicle's MPG to drive at a steady speed of 65 mph than higher speeds.
• Don’t tailgate, as it forces you to constantly accelerate and then quickly brake. Experts say consistent pressure on the gas pedal makes for better mileage.
• Don’t slam on the gas pedal as, just like starting up your car burns gasoline, so does slamming on the gas out of a dead stop. You’re probably burning twice the gas you would as with a steady and safer acceleration.
• Using the parking brake can cause some real trouble. If you do use it, completely disengage it before heading out. Even a slightly engaged brake can rob you of MPG.
• Stay in the same lane, as a steady drive makes for much better mileage.
• Don’t idle. When you reach your destination, or if you know you’re going to be waiting for a bit, shut off the engine. If not, you’ll be wastefully burning gasoline.
• If you use more than one car, taking the already warm car out for a second trip can save you MPG.
• Shade your car by parking inside or under a tree. Gas in the tank expands in the heat and it may vaporize and escape. Also, if you plan on turning on the air conditioning when you first get in the car, open the windows and drive for a mile before turning on the AC. This way you’ll let most of the really hot air escape.
• Maintain your speed, as staying on the same path can save you money. It takes six times as much gasoline to get a car moving from a dead stop than it does just to keep moving.
• Avoid breaking on curves to save gas; ease gently into the curve.
• Prepare for uphill ascents. If you accelerate up before you get to a hill, your car won’t struggle as much and burn more gas to make its way uphill.
• Close the windows, as, especially on freeways, open windows increase your drag.
• Clean out your trunk. For every 50 pounds you remove from your car you can increase your efficiency by at least one mile per gallon.
• Watch your emotions and avoid tired driving. If you’re upset or exhausted, you’re more likely to rev the engine and screech to a halting stop instead of maintaining a consistent rate of speed.
• Boost your air pressure by four pounds, as your ride will be a little firmer, but more efficient.
• Make records of your car’s oil use. Experts said keeping your car up to date saves you money and mileage.
• Be cheap. Buy generic gas. Experts say cars don’t really run better on that fancy, expensive gasoline.
• Getting your windows tinted in your car keeps your car cooler, thus maybe avoiding the need to run the AC.
• Just like reducing heat inside the car, buying a white car also keeps your car much cooler.

UCAN is located in downtown San Diego, California, at 3100 Fifth Avenue, Suite B.

You can visit their Web site for extensive updates on various consumer advocacy stories, gas prices and logs to track your gas consumption.