Our weather is increasing and so are gas prices, especially since the switch to the summer blend will cost drivers more because summer fuel is more expensive to produce.
The current national average for gas is $3.51, while the average price in Arizona is $4.30. Maricopa County gas prices continue to climb higher, sitting at $4.62 today. Pump prices today are even less than they were a year ago at this time.
According to AAA, strong demand for gasoline and rising oil prices are the driving factors behind the recent increase in pump prices nationwide. If demand continues to rise, pump prices will likely follow suit.
“Oil prices finally rallied and are now settled above $70 a barrel after weeks of hovering just below,” said AAA spokesman Andrew Gross, “and demand for gas it’s very strong. Those two factors will cause drivers to see prices go up for now.”
Yesterday, several gas stations in Maricopa County reported running out of fuel due to high demand.
According to the AAA, studies have repeatedly shown that personal driving habits are the single most important factor affecting vehicle fuel consumption. Adopting new and improved driving behaviors not only makes car trips safer, but can also contribute to significant savings at the gas pump.
AAA offers the following simple ways to improve your car’s gas mileage:
Ownership, maintenance, repairs
► When shopping for a car, look for models that offer best-in-class fuel economy. For most drivers, a larger and/or more powerful optional engine is unnecessary.
► Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Modern cars don’t need “tune-ups”, but regular servicing will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
► Take your car to a repair shop as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on. This indicates a problem that is causing excessive emissions and likely reducing fuel economy.
► Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflation reduces fuel economy, but more importantly, underinflated tires degrade handling and braking, wear faster, and can overheat and explode.
Daily driving
► Slow down and drive the speed limit. On the freeway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.
► Avoid jackrabbit starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
► Avoid prolonged idling to warm up the engine, even in winter. It is unnecessary and wastes fuel.
► Avoid prolonged idling in general. If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, turn off the engine to save fuel. Many newer cars have automatic engine stop and start systems that do this.
► When driving in the city, adjust your speed to “time” the traffic lights. This reduces repeated braking and acceleration that consumes additional fuel.
► When approaching a traffic light or stop sign, take your foot off the accelerator early and let the car slow down until it’s time to brake.
► Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate acceleration. This allows the automatic transmission to shift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm and saving fuel.
► Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads as this could result in loss of vehicle control.
► If your car has a manual transmission, upshift as quickly as you can without “revving” the engine. When practical, you can also save fuel by shifting gears, for example going straight from first to third.
Don’t waste gas
The above practices will definitely help improve fuel economy. Also, consider these more general fuel-saving tips:
► Minimize the use of air conditioning. Even at freeway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to run the A/C compressor.
► Plan ahead to run multiple errands on a single trip and, whenever possible, travel outside of high-traffic times of the day.
► If you have more than one car, use the most fuel-efficient model that suits the needs of any trip.
Other tips, tricks
► In hot weather, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to reduce heat build-up inside the car. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and therefore fuel) to cool the car.
► Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car. It takes more fuel to accelerate a heavier car, and the reduction in fuel economy is greater for small cars than for larger models.
► Minimize the use of roof racks and remove special racks when not in use. On the highway, even an empty bicycle, canoe, or ski rack can reduce fuel economy, and a loaded rack or container on top of the car will have a significant effect on gas mileage.
► AAA research has found that unless your car’s manufacturer recommends or requires premium fuel, it offers no additional benefit. Drivers should consult their vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine what type of gasoline is recommended for their engine.
Drivers can find current gas prices along their route using the AAA TripTik trip planner.
