Driving Pains: The High Cost of Gassing Up

DRIVING PAINS: THE HIGH COST OF GASSING UP It is no secret the price of gasoline has skyrocketed in the last few years... BUT HOW EXACTLY HAS IT CHANGED IN THE LAST DECADE? THE PRICE OF GAS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS OVER $4 per gallon $4 $3 $2 $1.74 per gallon 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 DEC 2014's NATIONAL PRICE OF GAS WAS: $2.51 10 EASY WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON GAS KEEP YOUR TIRES INFLATED AVOID AGGRESSIVE DRIVING 3% improvement in gas mileage. 33% improvement in highway gas mileage. $0.07/gallon savings. Under-inflated tires can drop gas mile- 5% improvement in around-town mileage. $0.11-$0.73/gallon savings. age by 0.3% for every 1 psi decrease. Aggressive driving includes rapid acceler- ation, speeding and braking, all of which REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER waste gas. Improves acceleration in vehicles GET A DRIVER FEEDBACK DEVICE 1980 - today. Improves both fuel efficiency and ac- 3% improvement in fuel economy for the average driver. 10% improvement in gas mileage for driv- ers who use them specifically to save gas. celeration in older vehicles. USE THE RIGHT MOTOR OIL $0.07-$0.22/gallon savings. 1%-2% improvement in gas mileage. $0.02-$0.04/gallon savings. DRIVE AT A SLOWER SPEED Can improve gas mileage by using manufacturer's recommended grade of 7%-14% improvement in gas mileage. $0.15-$0.31/gallon savings. oil for your vehicle. Can also look for "Energy Conserv- Gas mileage usually decreases drastically at 50 mph and over. ing" on oil label. For every 5 mph over 50 mph, you pay an additional $0.15/gallon. REPLACE OXYGEN SENSORS Use cruise control if you have a lead foot. 40% maximum improvement in gas mileage. A serious maintenance problem, like a A REMOVE EXCESS WEIGHT bad oxygen sensor, can seriously improve your gas mileage. 1% improvement in gas mileage for every 100lbs you remove. TUNE YOUR ENGINE $0.02/gallon savings for each 100lbs re- moved. 4% improvement in gas mileage. If you have removable rear seats and don't use them often, you can take them $0.09/gallon savings. If your vehicle has failed an emissions out to save gas instead. test, it may need a tune up. TIPS TO SAVE GAS IN WINTER FACTS ABOUT COLD HOW TO IMPROVE WEATHER GAS MILEAGE: COLD WEATHER MILEAGE: Don't idle your car to warm it up; many Short, in-town drives for conventional gas manufacturers recommend drivlng away cars are 12% less gas efficient in winter. slowly after 30 seconds. Don't use seat warmers or defrosters Hybrids are 31% less gas efficient. more than necessary. Cold air is denser, creating more Park your car in a warmer place (like a garage) to increase initial engine aerodynamic drag on your car, lowering gas mileage. temperature. Tire pressure naturally decreases in cold temperatures. Winter-grade gasoline has slightly less energy per gallon. Vehicle battery decreases in cold weather. Using four-wheel drive requires more gas. TIPS FOR SAVING GAS IN THE SUMMER FACTS ABOUT HOT HOW TO IMPROVE WEATHER GAS MILEAGE: HOT WEATHER MILEAGE: Opt to drive with the windows down at Using the AC is the main cause of low speeds; use the AC only at highway decreased fuel economy in summer. speeds. In very hot temperatures, using the AC Use a sunshade or park in shaded areas can reduce gas mileage by 25% or more. to reduce the need for AC. Driving with the windows down also Put windows down at first to let hot air reduces gas mileage due to wind out, then use AC for a short time. resistance. Don't let your vehicle idle with the AC TM running. OPony Parts Sources: BLS.gov, FuelEconomy.gov, AAA PRICE