As consumers drove up to their neighborhood gas stations this weekend, they probably noticed prices were up yet again. According to the Lundberg Survey, released Friday, gas prices have hit an all-time high of $3.26 per gallon on average. The survey tallied prices at 5,000 gas stations nationwide.
In just the last two weeks, the national average price for self-serve, regular, unleaded gas has risen 7 cents, breaking the previous record set last May. The cost of diesel fuel has soared to a record $4.06 a gallon, adding to pressure on consumers and companies delivering goods.
Anyone living in San Francisco can expect to pay the most for gas, with an average price of $3.66. However, drivers in Newark, New Jersey, fare better since they have the nation’s lowest average gas price of $3.03.
According to the Camarillo, California-based surveyor, barring further slippage in the price of crude oil, gasoline prices will continue to rise. In fact, the gasoline price hike would have been greater if not for lower crude oil prices. The price of crude oil closed Friday at $101.84, down about $3 per barrel from two weeks prior after having exceeded $110.
With the average price of gas nationwide expected to hit $3.50 a gallon, rising prices may be giving those who drive cars with four cylinders high blood pressure. But consumers driving SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are probably ready to explode. Keep it together. There are things you can do to take control of your vehicle and your money. For starters, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends reducing your gas consumption. Here are some fuel-saving tips:
Slow it down. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, costing an additional 10 cents per gallon. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets, resulting in 7 cents to 49 cents per gallon. Stay calm, cool, and collected–put your car on cruise control. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov to find out how driving speed affects your gas mileage.
Keep up with car maintenance. Most motorists don’t realize it’s the little things that can make a difference. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a
faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40%. Dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring which can waste fuel. Replacing a clogged air filter can save gas mileage by as much as 10%, saving you 15 cents per gallon. Tune your engine; it’ll increase gas mileage by 4%. Also, damaged, loose, or missing gas caps, under-inflated tires, poor wheel alignment, and worn spark plugs all contribute to poor fuel economy.Remove excess weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon (MPG) by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Comparison shop. Be a proactive consumer. Don’t just pay the high prices at the closest station. Shop around to find the most competitive price in town. For a little help, visit www.gaspricewatch.com to compare prices in your area. You can find the best deal by zip code and street name, as well as check out prices by grade of gasoline.
Park your car. Take public transportation. Walk–it’ll save you money and help you shed a few undesirable pounds. Carpool. You and some of your colleagues can take turns driving each other to work. Talk to your supervisor about telecommuting one day a week.
Combine errands. Instead of making several trips to the cleaners, grocers, post office and the bank, do all of your errands at one time. Before you hop into you car, plan ahead. Keep a checklist if necessary.
Use the right gas grade level. Pull out your owner’s manual. It will tell you the most effective grade level for your car. The recommended gasoline for most vehicles is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than what the manufacturer recommends is a waste of money. Also, using a different grade of motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1% to 2%.
Stop Idling. Idling gets you zero miles per gallon. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it. No more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days is needed. Anything more simply wastes fuel and increases emissions.
Buy a fuel-efficient vehicle. Consider buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an alternative-fuel vehicle. It could save you a lot at the gas pump and not to mention help the environment. FuelEconomy.gov offers tips on buying a new fuel-efficient car or truck.
Beware of gas gouging. Gouging is distinct, by definition, from price fixing, which is the collusion of multiple gas stations to set prices. Gouging is the act of an individual gas station taking unfair advantage of a supply crisis. AAA offers the Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.fuelgaugereport.com), which allows you to see both national and regional averages for gas prices. If the prices at your local gas station far exceed your region’s average, then that’s when you take note. Save your receipt and write down the prices of all the varieties of gasoline available at that station from regular to high grade. Then get in touch with your state Attorney General’s Office. Visit the National Association of Attorneys General’s Website (www.naag.org) to find your state official’s contact information.