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Don't look now, but gas prices are starting to creep up again. I can't help but notice each time I fill up, it's costing more and more. While I hate to complain because gas is still half the cost of what it was last summer, it looks like it's time to start preparing for those higher prices.
Apparently, this is the time that refineries start switching over to their cleaner summer fuel, which is required by law. They have to cut production as they retool their factories to get ready for spring break and summer travel. The cleaner summer fuel costs more to make, which leads to these price increases we've been seeing.
The bad news is AAA is predicting gas to increase for the next 3 months, possibly reaching $2.50 a gallon by the middle of summer. The good news is, they do not expect it to get to the $4 level from last summer. So, let me be the first to list the gas saving tips for 2009.
Drive the Speed Limit - Gas mileage rapidly decreases when you pass 60 mph. For every 5 mph over 60, it's like paying an extra .24 a gallon. I'm usually driving 80 mph on the interstate to and from work, so this doesn't really help me any.
Keep your Engine Properly Tuned - Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve gas mileage by an average of 4%. For more serious engine problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by up to 40%. I failed my emissions test last year and it was because of a faulty oxygen sensor. This ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated - Everyone has heard this one. It's obvious. And it can save you about 3%.
Commute to Work - My wife and I started doing this a lot last summer. Because our work hours have changed we don't do it as much, but we found that it saved us a lot of money. Plus, it gave us extra time to spend with each other.
Buy a More Fuel Efficient Car - If you're still driving a Hummer, you obviously don't have money problems, and you're not concerned about the environment. However, there's still hope for many of you out there. Consider trading in your SUV for a fuel efficient car. We bought a Hyundai Sonata last year and absolutely love it.
So at what point do you get concerned about gas prices? What are some of your ideas that I haven't shared yet?
Apparently, this is the time that refineries start switching over to their cleaner summer fuel, which is required by law. They have to cut production as they retool their factories to get ready for spring break and summer travel. The cleaner summer fuel costs more to make, which leads to these price increases we've been seeing.
The bad news is AAA is predicting gas to increase for the next 3 months, possibly reaching $2.50 a gallon by the middle of summer. The good news is, they do not expect it to get to the $4 level from last summer. So, let me be the first to list the gas saving tips for 2009.
Drive the Speed Limit - Gas mileage rapidly decreases when you pass 60 mph. For every 5 mph over 60, it's like paying an extra .24 a gallon. I'm usually driving 80 mph on the interstate to and from work, so this doesn't really help me any.
Keep your Engine Properly Tuned - Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve gas mileage by an average of 4%. For more serious engine problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by up to 40%. I failed my emissions test last year and it was because of a faulty oxygen sensor. This ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated - Everyone has heard this one. It's obvious. And it can save you about 3%.
Commute to Work - My wife and I started doing this a lot last summer. Because our work hours have changed we don't do it as much, but we found that it saved us a lot of money. Plus, it gave us extra time to spend with each other.
Buy a More Fuel Efficient Car - If you're still driving a Hummer, you obviously don't have money problems, and you're not concerned about the environment. However, there's still hope for many of you out there. Consider trading in your SUV for a fuel efficient car. We bought a Hyundai Sonata last year and absolutely love it.
So at what point do you get concerned about gas prices? What are some of your ideas that I haven't shared yet?
2 comments:
My local supermarket has a great fuel program. Every time you reach a $50 spending level at any participating Price Chopper with your Price Chopper AdvantEdge Card, you earn 10¢ off every gallon of gas on your next fill-up at participating Sunoco Stations. There is NO LIMIT to the
discounts you can earn! Right now I save $1.10 per gallon.
If anyone shops at Price Chopper I highly recommend you get an AdvantEdge card.
A new program coming back for the holidays is major retail gas gift cards for 35% off. http://www.bbbcertifiedgifts.com
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