Gas Prices Bloating the Nation

The United States consumes 400 million gallons of gas everyday. This huge daily demand is what keeps the gas prices high. Drivers all over the country are adjusting how they travel and how often they travel due to the ever-climbing gas prices. Even when it comes to running daily errands such as grocery shopping or going to the dry cleaners. The price range for gas is $2.81 to over $3 per gallon in some regions and it does not look any better for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend that begins the peak season for traveling.

Organizations for children and senior citizens that transport them to events and functions have had to decrease their planned events and their travel due to the rising prices. People that use their vehicles for work are starting to feel as though they work to put gas in their vehicles.

The early rise in gas prices has been caused by a decline in the production of crude oil for the past three months. The slide in production and inventory is mostly due to the U.S. Oil Refineries having, fires and power outages called "unplanned breakdowns." One of the largest refiners, Valero Energy has had four fires that slowed down production in January and February alone. Valero's McKee refinery in Texas, which is presently closed, will be returning to half of its production by the end of April. BP oil had to move up their maintenance schedule at its Whiting Indiana refinery after a piece of equipment caught fire.

Car manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet and Nissan have been racing to produce subcompacts that are more fuel-efficient. Nissan came out with the Versa last fall and Chrysler will be importing small cars from China.

According to Dave McCurdy, President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, car dealerships are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Altima hybrid and hope that other car manufacturers will soon follow with other hybrids to help reduce the demand for gasoline to power cars. More hybrids mean less gas consumption, which would eventually drive gas prices, back down. However, McCurdy also feels gas prices will have to get much higher before the consumer makes changes in their buying practices.

Tips for Saving Gas
Follow these tips below to save gas and increase mileage:

Combine errands into one trip. Consolidate trips to destinations that are near one another. Once you arrive, park and walk between destinations. Save errands for one afternoon and plan your trip so you do not retrace your route.

Drive your car wisely and maintain it properly. The way you drive and take care of your car can make a big difference in your gas mileage.

Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal. Avoid "jackrabbit" starts by accelerating gradually whenever possible. Also, anticipate stops to avoid sudden braking.

Avoid long idles. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Instead of idling at a drive-up window, park the car and go in. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine. Limit car warm-ups in winter.

Avoid carrying unneeded items in the trunk. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. Also, reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks.

Avoid high speeds. You can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.

Use your air conditioning only when necessary. Roll down the windows or open the air vents to keep your car comfortable on not-so-hot days.

Use overdrive. If your car is equipped with overdrive gearing (on 5-speed manual transmissions and 4-speed automatic transmissions), be sure to make use of the overdrive gear as soon as your speed is high enough. If you have a manual transmission, the lower the shift speeds, the better the fuel economy. Your owner's manual will give you further information.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Periodic wheel alignments and keeping tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure can improve your gas mileage.

Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks. Tune-ups improve performance as well as gas mileage. Check your owner's manual for recommended maintenance schedules. By following the manufacturer's recommendations, you should avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission not going into high gear.

Sources:
Steven Mufson and Sholnn Freeman Staff Writers Washington Post "Pain Arrives Early at the Pump"
URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041302126.html?nav=rss_email/components

GasBuddy.Com
URL: http://www.gasbuddy.com/Gas_Prices/Pennsylvania/index.aspx

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency: Consumer Information "Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage"
http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/17-tips.htm