Home > Tip of the Week > How to Deal With Gasly Petroleum Prices

Tip of the Week

By Solvie Karlstrom | All Posts

How to Deal With Gasly Petroleum Prices

09:18 am - May 13, 2008

Photo: How to Deal With <em>Gasly</em> Petroleum Prices

Gas prices hit an all-time high of $3.61 on May 1--and then kept climbing! One week into the month, the average price was up to $3.671 a gallon. That's 20 percent more than drivers were paying this time last year. Drivers in New York have been hit even harder, paying an average of $3.813 for a gallon of regular, and in California it's costing drivers $3.921 a gallon to fill the tank! As the cost of oil becomes more and more prohibitive, getting more mileage to the gallon is essential. For those of us who aren't positioned to rush out and buy a hybrid this week, here are a few tips that will help your vehicle run more efficiently.

  • Replace clogged air filters. A clogged air filter can cut a vehicles fuel efficiency by 10 percent.
  • Check the air pressure on your tires and inflate any that are lower than the pressure recommended in the owner's manual. AccuTire's Programmable Tire Gauge ($19.95; www.properautocare.com) remembers the proper air pressure for you so can avoid pulling out the manual every time you check. Properly inflated tires can increase fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent.
  • Slow down. For most vehicles, fuel efficiency begins to drop rapidly at 60 mph. Driving within the speed limit can improve fuel efficiency by up to 23 percent.
  • Take it easy. Slamming on the brakes and accelerating too quickly can reduce fuel efficiency up to 33 percent.
  • Get a tune-up. Routine maintenance can up fuel efficiency by 4 percent, while fixing more serious problems can improve efficiency up to 40 percent.

Fueleconomy.gov has even more fuel-saving tips, but the best way to save fuel is to simply avoid using it. If it's an option, consider walking or getting around by bike during these warmer months. Check out Shifting Gears: 12 Tips on Moving From the Fast Lane to the Bike Lane to help get you in gear.

© The Green Guide, 2008

Share | Email this post

Discuss this blog


Fuel Prices
posted by ariesz on 2008-05-14 20:11:20  

I live in Australia, and I think that in the US, fuel is far too cheap. If prices in the US were around what we pay here (about $5.50 USD/gallon) people may think twice about purchasing gas guzzlers, or about unnecessary trips in the car. It is certainly happening in Australia. It really takes a mentality change in the whole of society and government. In some cities here, there are networks of bike paths, and people are encouraged to ride bikes, and they do, as it is safe and healthy. In other cities, no such infrastructure exists, and people don't feel safe or healthy riding bikes in traffic. If a combination of higher prices for fuel, disincentives (eg much higher registration costs and taxes) for large, gas guzzling vehicles, and incentives for getting the bike out and purchasing hybrid cars, and public education campaigns were introduced, then individuals in developed nations like our own may have a chance of succeeding to cut their impact on the environment. However, as this article says, there are ways of reducing our individual footprints on the environment from our travel habits, regardless of fuel prices.