As Fuel Prices Continue to Climb, AAA Offers Gas Saving Tips

Helena, Mont. 4/22/08-This month our nation celebrates Earth Day.  First observed in 1970, Earth Day was intended to raise global consciousness about the need to protect and conserve our natural resources.  At that time, gasoline prices averaged about .30 cents per gallon, oil cost about $13 per barrel, there were 98 million motor vehicles on the road in the United States and AAA had approximately 15 million members.

Today the nationwide average price of self-serve regular is $3.511 per gallon, oil is trading at nearly $118 per barrel, there are 231 million vehicles registered in the United States and AAA membership has grown to more than 51 million.

In 1970, Americans were estimated to travel 1.1 trillion miles annually by motor vehicle.  Today Americans are estimated to log over 3 trillion miles annually in their cars and trucks.  These statistics provide a clear answer that demand is increasing the price of oil and why pump prices have reached the almost unimagined level (as of a few years ago) of $3.50 per gallon.

But, if fuel demand flattened in the first quarter of 2008; our gasoline refineries have scaled back production and American consumers are curtailing spending, why are fuel prices still rising?  “The short answer is global economies around the world have begun to grow and expand and their appetite for an energy-intensive standard of living seems to have outgrown America’s ability to set the pace of economic expansion, says Denice Harris, AAA Spokeswoman.

So what now?

Even though AAA is reluctant to forecast fuel prices, it appears that the national average price of gasoline could increase an additional 25 cents per gallon over the next month to $3.75 per gallon and a national average approaching $4 per gallon should not be ruled out by consumers later this year.

AAA offers help for consumers in a variety of ways. 

“With soaring gas prices squeezing many household budgets, AAA is helping consumers with tips on how to save gas and Web sites dedicated to fuel information.” adds Harris. “When fuel prices rise to new record levels, motorists have an understandable interest in finding out why, and need information on what they can do to stay within the family budget.”

To help consumers make better decisions regarding their fuel consumption AAA posts localized, up-to-date fuel information and now has two Web sites devoted to fuel issues as well as other online tools for consumers.

Perhaps the best known site is AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.aaafuelgaugereport.com). That site – a natural extension of the reports AAA has issued in some form since the 1970s – averages prices paid at 100,000 gas stations across the country and posts national, state and local averages daily for each of the major grades of gasoline.

AAA Fuel Cost Calculator (www.aaafuelcostcalculator.com) helps users understand and budget for the amount of fuel they are likely to use on a long-distance trip. After entering the trip’s origin and destination, and the type of vehicle being driven, the site calculates the miles driven, the amount of fuel that will be used and the cost. It also can tell motorists the difference in fuel costs for various vehicles, helping them to determine which vehicle is most cost effective to drive.

AAA provides fuel-saving tips and advice to consumers through its website AAA.com which includes fuel conservation information in a downloadable brochure titled, “AAA Gas Watcher’s Guide.”

Some tips from the guide include:

• Stick to a routine maintenance schedule. Keeping tires inflated, moving components properly lubricated and ignition and emission systems operating properly will help ensure maximum fuel efficiency and extend the life of your vehicle.
• If you own more than one vehicle, use the more energy-conserving vehicle as often as possible.
• Consolidate trips and errands to cut down on driving time and miles traveled. When possible, combine them with your daily commute.
• If you are going somewhere new, get a map first from an online source such as AAA TripTik (www.AAA.com). Getting lost wastes gas as well as time.
• Comparison shop by phone or online if possible before heading out on the road.
• Slow down. For most vehicles, fuel economy drops off significantly when traveling more than 60 miles per hour. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
• Avoid quick starts and sudden stops. They waste fuel, are harder on vehicle components and increase the odds of a traffic crash.
• Lighten your vehicle by cleaning out the trunk, cargo areas and passenger compartments. A heavier vehicle uses more fuel.
• Keep your eyes open for low fuel prices but don’t waste gas driving to a distant filling station to save a few cents.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report and AAA Fuel Cost Calculator are based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation’s most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.

AAA MountainWest Club, is dedicated to providing its more than 160,000 members in Alaska, Montana and Wyoming with travel, insurance, financial, and auto-related services.  A fully taxpaying, not for profit corporation, AAA MountainWest, Inc. strives for improvement of motoring and traveling conditions, and is a leader for travel, civic and safety issues. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.