Our weather is on the rise and so is gas prices. Especially since summer grade fuel is more expensive to produce, switching to summer blend will cost the driver more.
The national average for gas today is $3.51, while the average Arizona price is $4.30. Maricopa County gas prices continue to be the highest, today he is at $4.62. Today’s pump prices are still less than a year old at the moment.
Strong demand for gasoline and higher oil prices have driven the recent rise in pump prices nationwide, according to AAA. If demand continues to grow, pump prices are likely to follow suit.
“Oil prices have finally plateaued and after weeks of just below $70 a barrel are now calm,” said AAA spokesman Andrew Gross. With these two factors, drivers will find prices going up for now.”
Yesterday, several gas stations in Maricopa County reported running out of fuel due to high demand.
According to AAA, research has repeatedly shown that personal driving habits are the number one factor influencing a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Adopting new and improved driving behaviors not only makes your car travel safer, but also contributes to significant savings on gas pumps.
AAA offers these simple ways to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy:
own, maintain, repair
► When buying a car, look for a model that offers the best fuel economy in its class. For most drivers, the optional larger and/or more powerful engine is unnecessary.
► Maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Modern cars don’t need a ‘tune-up’, but regular servicing ensures optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.
► If the ‘Check Engine’ warning light comes on, take the car to a repair shop as soon as possible. This indicates a problem that can cause excessive emissions and reduce fuel economy.
► Inflate the tires properly. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy, but more importantly, under-inflated tires result in poor handling and braking, wear faster, and can overheat and puncture.
daily driving
► Slow down and drive within the speed limit. On the highway, when speeds exceed 50 mph, aerodynamic drag significantly reduces fuel economy.
► Avoid “JackRabbit” launching and sudden acceleration. These actions significantly increase fuel consumption.
► Avoid long periods of idling, even in winter, to warm up the engine. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
► Generally avoid long periods of idling. If you stop for more than 60 seconds, turn off the engine to save fuel. Many modern cars have automatic engine stop/start systems that do this.
► When driving around town, adjust your speed to the traffic light “time”. This reduces repetitive braking and acceleration that consumes additional fuel.
► When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the accelerator early and slow down slowly until the brakes are applied.
► Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into an earlier gear, reducing engine revs and saving fuel.
► Use cruise control to maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, do not use cruise control on slippery surfaces as you may lose control of your vehicle.
► If your car has a manual transmission, upshift as quickly as possible without “pulling” the engine. If practical, you can even skip shifts to save fuel. For example, shift directly from 1st to 3rd.
Do not fuel wasted gas
The above practices will definitely help improve your fuel economy. Also, keep in mind the more general fuel saving tips.
► Minimize air conditioning use. Even on the highway, opening the windows has less impact on fuel economy than the engine power required to run the air conditioning compressor.
► Plan ahead to cover multiple errands in one trip, and avoid high traffic hours whenever possible.
► If you own more than one vehicle, use the most fuel efficient model that meets your specific travel needs.
Other tips and tricks
► In hot weather, park in the shade or use a sunscreen on the windshield to reduce heat build-up inside the vehicle. This reduces the need for air conditioning (and fuel) to cool the car.
► Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your vehicle. Heavier vehicles require more fuel to accelerate, and smaller vehicles lose more fuel than larger vehicles.
► Minimize use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use. Even an empty bike, canoe, or ski rack can cause poor fuel economy on the highway, and a loaded rack or cartop container can have a significant impact on fuel economy.
► According to AAA research, there are no additional benefits unless the car manufacturer recommends or requires premium fuel. Drivers should refer to their vehicle owner’s manual to find out what type of gasoline is recommended for their engine.
The driver AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
