With gas prices so high, over $3.50 a gallon in many places, there are some simple and low-cost things motorists can do to extend the mileage they get on a tank of gas.
According to Stephanie Dembowski, public affairs coordinator for Arizona AAA Automotive, the faster you go, the more it costs you. She added that even cars that get good gas mileage can use a lot of gas when driving fast, so slow down.
“It makes a big difference, not to mention it is also a safety hazard. Speeding and rapid acceleration lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and about 5 percent in town.”
Dembowski added that, based on figures provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, every 5 mph driven above 60 mph can cost an estimated 24 cents a gallon.
Across the state last week, according to Linda Gorman, AAA Arizona director of communications and public affairs, Arizonans experienced double-digit increases at the pump, which represented the highest increase in one week since May 2008. Thursday's statewide average of $3.398 per gallon was 14 cents higher than last week and 73 cents higher than the same time last year.
Nationwide, gas prices increased nearly 20 cents to $3.427 per gallon, the highest week-over-week increase since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
According to AAA, making matters worse is Yumans pay more at the pump than any other drivers at $3.509 a gallon, while Tucson has the lowest average fuel prices at $3.22. Prescott is the only city that did not experience a double-digit increase last week, rising 9 cents over the previous week. Wyoming and California hold the high and low price extremes for the lower 48 states at $3.118 and $3.812 per gallon, respectively.
As a rule, Dembowski said, motorists should plan their trips accordingly and give themselves enough time to get to their destination so they don't have to drive fast to get there.
Another gas-saving tip Dembowski offered was to maintain a gas-friendly vehicle, such as always making sure the tires are properly inflated. She said underinflated tires, which can also be dangerous, can reduce fuel economy as much as 2 percent.
According to a recent Rubber Manufacturers Association survey, 55 percent of vehicles have at least one underinflated tire, and 85 percent of U.S. drivers do not properly check their tire pressure. To check tire pressure, check all tires — including the spare — when they are cold. Make sure pressure levels match those found in the owner's manual or on the driver's door jamb.
You should also verify in the manual whether your car is due for an oil change or an engine tune-up. Ensuring your car is on the right maintenance schedule can help preserve the fuel-efficiency as well.
Dembowski also suggested to turning to technology as a way to improve gas mileage. “Shop around” is a common money-saving adage, but when it comes to gasoline, scouting different stations can cost you extra fuel.
Instead, look to online tools like AAA Mobile Web, AAA TripTik Mobile, AAA Fuel Finder or Fuel Cost Calculator to find the cheapest gas in your area or budget fuel costs.
“Shop around for fuel prices, but do it before you leave your home so you aren't using it to get there,” Dembowski said.
You can also add a fuel economy app on your iPhone or computer. These types of apps can help track fuel economy as well as remind you of routine maintenance, such as your next oil change or tire rotation. A popular low-cost app, Car Care, is available on iTunes for $2.99. The app lets you calculate fuel economy in seconds, right at the pump, as well as track the performance of different fuel types.
Some other tips include:
• Fill up right: Unless your car manual says use higher octane fuel, don't. You won't get any benefit from using the more expensive juice, it's just a waste of money.
• Lighten your load: Reducing the weight of your vehicle can improve your gas mileage. After packing the essentials, including your emergency roadside kit, look for non-essential items to remove from your vehicle. Also, avoid stacking luggage on the roof of your car to prevent drag and to maximize fuel economy.
• Service your car: Your fuel economy will drop if you have dirty air filters, old oil, old spark plugs, old belts or other low fluid levels. Keep it in tip-top shape and save on your gas and maintenance bills.
• Limit braking: When you brake, you often will need to hit the gas again to get going. Try to look ahead and brake intelligently to reduce how much you need to accelerate.
• Let it cruise: Use your cruise control on the highway, so long as conditions are clear of ice and snow, to maintain steady speed and save gas. Keep a safe distance behind you and the car in front of you to save you from sudden brakes and higher risk of collision. Slowing down and driving conservatively will help you save money, and most importantly, stay safe
• Tighten the gas cap: Gasoline will evaporate, and if you don't seal up that gas tank, it will leak out. The Car Care Council estimates that 147 million gallons of gas a year will be lost to evaporation.
As to what motorists should expect when it comes to prices in the future, Gorman said that after a brief retreat early on, the price of crude also surged last week to its highest level since 2008. It lingered near $100 per barrel and closed above $102 on Wednesday, before retreating slightly early Thursday.
The spike, she said, was fueled by reports of heightened conflict in Libya and growing fears of supply disruption from the region. Additionally, average wholesale costs soared 20 cents per gallon this week, leaving retail prices nationwide lagging behind.
“Although motorists have been asked to dig deeper into their wallets this week, they should be prepared to go even further, as retail prices have not kept pace with rising wholesale costs,” said Gorman. “This has resulted in swift increases at the pump over the last week, and unfortunately, retail prices still have some catching up to do in order to match wholesale spikes. The price of oil needs to stabilize in order for retail prices to follow suit.”
According to Stephanie Dembowski, public affairs coordinator for Arizona AAA Automotive, the faster you go, the more it costs you. She added that even cars that get good gas mileage can use a lot of gas when driving fast, so slow down.
“It makes a big difference, not to mention it is also a safety hazard. Speeding and rapid acceleration lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and about 5 percent in town.”
Dembowski added that, based on figures provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, every 5 mph driven above 60 mph can cost an estimated 24 cents a gallon.
Across the state last week, according to Linda Gorman, AAA Arizona director of communications and public affairs, Arizonans experienced double-digit increases at the pump, which represented the highest increase in one week since May 2008. Thursday's statewide average of $3.398 per gallon was 14 cents higher than last week and 73 cents higher than the same time last year.
Nationwide, gas prices increased nearly 20 cents to $3.427 per gallon, the highest week-over-week increase since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
According to AAA, making matters worse is Yumans pay more at the pump than any other drivers at $3.509 a gallon, while Tucson has the lowest average fuel prices at $3.22. Prescott is the only city that did not experience a double-digit increase last week, rising 9 cents over the previous week. Wyoming and California hold the high and low price extremes for the lower 48 states at $3.118 and $3.812 per gallon, respectively.
As a rule, Dembowski said, motorists should plan their trips accordingly and give themselves enough time to get to their destination so they don't have to drive fast to get there.
Another gas-saving tip Dembowski offered was to maintain a gas-friendly vehicle, such as always making sure the tires are properly inflated. She said underinflated tires, which can also be dangerous, can reduce fuel economy as much as 2 percent.
According to a recent Rubber Manufacturers Association survey, 55 percent of vehicles have at least one underinflated tire, and 85 percent of U.S. drivers do not properly check their tire pressure. To check tire pressure, check all tires — including the spare — when they are cold. Make sure pressure levels match those found in the owner's manual or on the driver's door jamb.
You should also verify in the manual whether your car is due for an oil change or an engine tune-up. Ensuring your car is on the right maintenance schedule can help preserve the fuel-efficiency as well.
Dembowski also suggested to turning to technology as a way to improve gas mileage. “Shop around” is a common money-saving adage, but when it comes to gasoline, scouting different stations can cost you extra fuel.
Instead, look to online tools like AAA Mobile Web, AAA TripTik Mobile, AAA Fuel Finder or Fuel Cost Calculator to find the cheapest gas in your area or budget fuel costs.
“Shop around for fuel prices, but do it before you leave your home so you aren't using it to get there,” Dembowski said.
You can also add a fuel economy app on your iPhone or computer. These types of apps can help track fuel economy as well as remind you of routine maintenance, such as your next oil change or tire rotation. A popular low-cost app, Car Care, is available on iTunes for $2.99. The app lets you calculate fuel economy in seconds, right at the pump, as well as track the performance of different fuel types.
Some other tips include:
• Fill up right: Unless your car manual says use higher octane fuel, don't. You won't get any benefit from using the more expensive juice, it's just a waste of money.
• Lighten your load: Reducing the weight of your vehicle can improve your gas mileage. After packing the essentials, including your emergency roadside kit, look for non-essential items to remove from your vehicle. Also, avoid stacking luggage on the roof of your car to prevent drag and to maximize fuel economy.
• Service your car: Your fuel economy will drop if you have dirty air filters, old oil, old spark plugs, old belts or other low fluid levels. Keep it in tip-top shape and save on your gas and maintenance bills.
• Limit braking: When you brake, you often will need to hit the gas again to get going. Try to look ahead and brake intelligently to reduce how much you need to accelerate.
• Let it cruise: Use your cruise control on the highway, so long as conditions are clear of ice and snow, to maintain steady speed and save gas. Keep a safe distance behind you and the car in front of you to save you from sudden brakes and higher risk of collision. Slowing down and driving conservatively will help you save money, and most importantly, stay safe
• Tighten the gas cap: Gasoline will evaporate, and if you don't seal up that gas tank, it will leak out. The Car Care Council estimates that 147 million gallons of gas a year will be lost to evaporation.
As to what motorists should expect when it comes to prices in the future, Gorman said that after a brief retreat early on, the price of crude also surged last week to its highest level since 2008. It lingered near $100 per barrel and closed above $102 on Wednesday, before retreating slightly early Thursday.
The spike, she said, was fueled by reports of heightened conflict in Libya and growing fears of supply disruption from the region. Additionally, average wholesale costs soared 20 cents per gallon this week, leaving retail prices nationwide lagging behind.
“Although motorists have been asked to dig deeper into their wallets this week, they should be prepared to go even further, as retail prices have not kept pace with rising wholesale costs,” said Gorman. “This has resulted in swift increases at the pump over the last week, and unfortunately, retail prices still have some catching up to do in order to match wholesale spikes. The price of oil needs to stabilize in order for retail prices to follow suit.”
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