If you've filled up your tank lately, you don't need us to tell you that gas prices are back on the rise.

Karin Caifa has some tips for dealing wtih the latest squeeze at the pump, in today's Consumer Watch Report.

Winter isn't typically a time when demand rises at the gas pumps, but prices have climbed since late January.

AAA credits a perfect storm of factors that started with Superstorm Sandy, and tightened supply.

"We have about a quarter of the nation's refineries going through their annual maintenance right now. And you combine all of that with a lot of refineries doing their switchover to winter to summer blends," according to AAA spokeswoman Nancy White.

Spikes in gas prices usually semd consumers looking for alternatives like public transportation or car pools.

But if less time behind the wheel isn't an option, try some basic gas-saving tips.

"Driving smart. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Make sure you drive the speed limit. Get rid of the junk in the trunk. And avoid those jackrabbit starts and stops," White says.

Also, put your Smartphone to work to find the best gas prices. AAA has their own app. Gas Buddy is another.

And if gas prices follow last year's pattern, relief could soon be on the way.

"When you look back at 2012 as we approached April and May, the start of spring break driving and summer driving season, prices started to fall," White says.