Fill 'er Up for Less.
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| Thu, 04-22-2004 - 12:36pm |
(See red highlighted area) What's going on here? Not that I'm paranoid or anything. I'd rather have rationing than this.
Spending too much on gas? A few easy tips can save you at the pump.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article
Rising gasoline prices are siphoning money out of drivers' wallets. The average price for retail gasoline hit $1.76 a gallon last week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), up 5¢ a gallon over the previous month. California motorists have suffered from pump prices well above $2 a gallon. The Bush Administration says the Environmental Protection Agency is "seriously considering" requests from New York, Connecticut and California for temporary exemption from cleaner-burning-gasoline requirements that have likely contributed to higher prices, given that those blends are in shorter supply. If the exemption is granted, drivers could see prices at the pump drop by as much as 10¢ a gallon. Until then, following these tips could help relieve your pain immediately:
*DON'T ASSUME "SUPER" IS BETTER. Many cars won't benefit from super or premium high-octane gasoline. Regular unleaded gas is fine for most cars, and it's a lot cheaper. Check your owner's manual to find out what kind of gas you need.
*SHOP THE WEB. "Prices can vary 20¢ to 30¢ a gallon in the same metro area, and often you don't have to drive very far to find cheap gas, just an extra block or two," suggests Jason Toews, co-founder of GasBuddy.com, a website that uses volunteer spotters to help compile price lists at stations in 174 areas around the country. GasPriceWatch.com and FuelMeUp.com can also help you find the cheapest fill-up in your neighborhood, near your job or along your commute.
*PUMP WHERE YOU SHOP. Prices at wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club can be significantly cheaper than most retail gas stations, although you have to be a member to get the best discount. BJ's lists stores with gas pumps on its website, www.bjs.com.
*USE A REBATE CARD. These gas-company cards give you credit on your bill — in some cases as much as a 10% rebate. Most gas-rebate cards require you to stick with one brand, such as BP or Citgo. But the Chase PerfectCard and the AAA Platinum Plus card are among the few that can be used at any gas station.
*PAMPER YOUR CAR A LITTLE. Basic maintenance, such as changing the oil on schedule and keeping the tires properly inflated, makes a difference in gas mileage, says AAA spokesman Justin McNaull: "About one-third of cars on the road don't have their tires properly inflated, and it's costing you fuel economy and shortening the life of the car."
*IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE, DRIVE THE CIVIC INSTEAD OF THE EXPLORER ON SHORT TRIPS. Ultimately, fuel efficiency is the key to your overall cost. When it's time to buy, consider hybrid cars that combine an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. Car manufacturers are offering more of these models, like the Toyota Prius. They not only get great mileage but also offer a sizable tax deduction--$1,500 on your 2004 federal return.


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Since, You all hate the SUV's for reasons explained, do we next get rid of the truck? Now, not as many "women" drive trucks, but there are a lot of trucks on the road, as well as SUV's. I have noticed at least here in the Los Angeles area more women driving the Crew Cab Trucks than ever before. (I spend a lot of time commuting 160 miles per day) I've driven an SUV from 1986-2001 for many different reasons. You all can complain all you want about how hard they are to park, but a Crew Cab long bed Truck is as hard or as much of a pain in the butt as the Chevy Suburban to park. I have driven both.
What I mean by this is the gas mileage is just as bad, the trucks are as big as the SUV's. They are as hard to see around on the Freeway, their headlights are in your mirror they are both as bad. That is why I included this comparison. Trucks are used for work, but the SUV is a status symbol. You can find the stats on SUV's and Trucks under the car makers like Ford or Chevy websites.
Class: Midsize SUV (Ford Explorer)
Weight: 4,511 lbs.
Wheelbase: 114 in.
Length: 190 in.
Width: 72 in.
EPA ratings: 15 mpg city/
20 mpg highway
Engine: 4.0 L V6
Class: Ford F-150
Weight: 5,185 lbs.
Wheelbase: 144 in.
Length: 230 in.
Width: 79 in.
EPA ratings: 15 mpg city/
19 mpg highway
Engine: 4.6 L V8
>"the SUV is a status symbol."<
I was living in S.Ca., 20 miles north of San Diego on the coast,
LOL!
Now I live in the North East. After ending up in a snow bank with a front wheel drive I was nervous driving in poor conditions. Dec. 2002 I bought an all wheel drive crossover. It has the advantages of an SUV but much better mileage, I get 28 MPG which wouldn't be good if I commuted every day. BTW I've put on less than 6K miles in 17 months.
I can understand needing a vehicle for the conditions.
I dont know about that.
I personally wish that Bush would re-instate the CAFE standards, and have written letters to both my Congressman and my Senators stating such. I have also written letters to the White House asking why this is not even being discussed in the public forum any longer.
I see how effective my letters are.....LOL
We decided to go to a one car family as having two cars made no sense, since we didnt use them all that much to begin with, but since we have family that visits, we needed something
Interesting feature is with the radiator, where it actually converts ground level ozone back into oxygen.
Now, with regards to many of the people in my area that are driving the Suburbans and Expeditions, I dont see a real need for these vehicles unless you have a family of three or four children, or you are constantly hauling large items and need the interior room.
It actually angers me to see people driving these huge vehicles down the road like they are high performance vechiles, and then seeing the driver on their cellphones.
We have a couple of Humvees (s?) in our neighbourhood. They almost take up the
James
janderson_ny@yahoo.com
CL Ask A Guy
James
janderson_ny@yahoo.com
CL Ask A Guy
First, the roads are horrible, and barely wide enough to have to Mini Coopers going down at the same time. Second, Gas is about $4.80 per gallon there, and third, it never snows, so I have no idea why someone would need one of those on that island especially.
I guess it is about vanity for many people.
I have only seen a couple of photos of the Concept Car, which Volvo is currently calling the YCC.
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