LAKEPORT — Over the last couple of weeks gas prices remained unchanged for most of the country. Californians weren”t so lucky.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.23, unchanged from a AAA survey conducted last month and six cents lower than a year ago. The average price of gas in California is now 43 cents per gallon higher than the national average and nine cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
“When the price of oil goes up, the price of gas goes up immediately,” said Dennis Pimentel of Lakeport. “When the price of oil goes down, the price of gas doesn”t go down so timely”
According to a new report from AAA of Northern California, which tracks fuel costs as a service to consumers, the statewide average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gas is now $2.66, up five cents per gallon since the last AAA survey on Jan. 16. During the same time, nationwide prices remained flat.
“I don”t do any unnecessary driving anymore,” said Naomi McKinnon of Lucerne. “Gas has been steadily rising for years now.”
According to a AAA press release, several factors appear to be driving prices higher. Cold weather in many parts of the United States has increased demand for home heating oil, leading to higher costs for crude oil, the raw material from which gasoline is made. Anxiety over increasingly confrontational relations between the U.S. and Iran may also be leading nervous energy market traders to bid up the price of crude. The California Energy Commission reports that some state gasoline refineries have experienced recent problems which have decreased production below the level that”s typical for this time of year.
Local sampling of gas prices:
n Valero $2.62
202 S. Main St.
Lakeport, Ca
n Chevron $2.66
1050 S. Main St.
Lakeport, Ca
n Shell $2.70
2725
S. Main St.
Lakeport, Ca
n Flyers $2.61
15010 Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, Ca
n Valero $2.90
15413 Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, Ca
The most expensive average gas prices are is in Tahoe City and Yreka, where regular unleaded sells for $2.90 per gallon. The lowest price among Northern California is in Tracy, where gas costs an average of $2.58 per gallon. Throughout Northern California, the average price is $2.70. In the Bay Area, the average price is $2.84. The statewide average record high price of $3.38 was set May 18.
The most expensive gas in the United States is in Wailuku, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, where a gallon of regular unleaded costs an average of $3.21. The highest average price for gas in the continental United States is in Tahoe City and Yreka. The least expensive gasoline in the country is found in Greenville, South Carolina, where regular unleaded costs an average of $2.02.
Here are some tips to help you reduce the amount of gas you use provided by the United States Department of Energy:
n Drive sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
n Observe the speed limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.21 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
n Remove excess weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle”s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
n Avoid excessive idling
Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
n Use cruise control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
n Use overdrive gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car”s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
n Keep your engine properly tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
n Check and replace air filters regularly
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car”s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car”s air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Keep tires properly inflated You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
n Use the right grade of motor oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer”s recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
n Planning and combining trips
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient.
With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You”ll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
n Commuting
If you can stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours, you”ll spend less time sitting in traffic and consume less fuel.
If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it.
If possible, take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use special High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
Consider using public transit if it is available and convenient for you.
Contact Rene Morales at rmorales@record-bee.com.
