subject: Your Gas Money Will Go Farther With These Tips [print this page] What to do About High Gas Prices What to do About High Gas Prices
Well, at $3.58 per gallon average, the prices at the pump actually aren't as high as they were last week ($3.64), last month ($3.79) or even last year ($3.78), according to AAA.
Gas costs more and less in various parts of the U.S., but in light of how many hybrids are on the road, why does gas cost as much as it does?
Crude oil is traded on the global market and makes up 76 percent of the cost of a gallon of gas. "So even though Americans are finding more and using less," reports Angela Colley of Money Talks News, "developing countries like China and India are taking up the slack and keeping the pressure on prices."
Cooley lists the best ways to save money at the pumps:
1. Don't use as much! Use public transportation whenever possible. If you can't use it for work, try to use it when you go out to dinner or a movie.
2. Buy gas at a warehouse club: A lot of grocery stores and warehouse clubs offer discounts on gas.
3. Slow down! Driving moderately can save you money. Avoid jumping on the gas when the light turns green and speeding to the next one. Slamming your brakes in traffic is not only bad on your car, it decreases fuel efficiency. Cruise between lights. Avoid stop and go.
4. Don't idle your car. If you're stuck in traffic or waiting in that carpool line, turn your car off. Idling more than 60 seconds decreases your car's fuel efficiency by 19 percent, says Colley.
5. Drop the extra weight.... No this is not diet advice. Don't carry a bunch of stuff in your trunk or backseat. Your car loses 1 mile per gallon for every 250 extra pounds you carry.
6. Plan your route: Drive to the farthest errand first. "By driving a longer distance at a constant speed, you give your engine time to warm up," says Colley. "which uses gas more efficiently."
7. Use your cruise control: On longer trips and on flat roads, cruise control is up to 14 percent more efficient than standard driving, according to auto site Edmunds. But remember to switch it off on hills, your car will guzzle a lot more gas trying to maintain speed on hills.
8. Maintain your car - get a tune-up, buy the minimum rated gas for your car (buying higher levels won't make your car run better) and check the ethanol rates- look for a rating of E10 or lower.
9. Invest in the oil companies, suggests Colley. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Right now, the oil companies are making money, stock prices are going up and maybe you can offset high gas prices with a little dividend payment.
Read more great advice at Metro Brokers TV online.
