The Ups and Downs of Gas Pricing

First off, we're back! Europe was simply terrific. As i'm still on analogue concerning picture taking, I'm awaiting the arrival of my 22 rolls of film from the developer. Once I have these in hand I'll begin posting from the trip.

So on to more relevant topics. In a little over 2 months, gas prices have risen by almost a full dollar per gallon. Kind of makes you wonder what exactly goes into the actual pricing of the gasoline you pay at the pump. For starters there's always taxes. There's no getting around that. And beyond Uncle Sam I don't exactly know how the remainder of the pricing process works, despite the numerous "how to" websites which have attempted to explain the how the price per gallon is actuated. Sure there are the stock markets and the issues of speculation. But there are also the oil companies which i'm sure are involved to some degree in some sort of price gouging (or at best are reaping heftily off the broad speculations). There is also the price per barrel that continues to gyrate upwards on the market along with our allied Saudi friends saying a boost in production isn't necessary.

And speaking of the mideast, it's rather interesting to note the figures coming from Iraq (whether we agree with the war or not). Estimates report that Iraq is pumping roughly 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. Even more interesting is that this was roughly the per-day average we were pumping before we invaded. Kind of odd don't you think? Before the war, Iraq and OPEC were in control of their oil. Now the oil companies are in charge and yet still nothing more coming in, even as they sit on a vast sea capable of producing well in excess of 2.5 million barrels. Kind of reminds me of the rolling blackouts in California back in '01. Energy companies decided their profits weren't high enough so they tightened supplies, and completely overloaded their energy capabilities which caused temporary energy shortages and sent market prices through the roof. Then we were sold the line "there isn't enough energy." Doesn't sound too different with oil prices were seeing today.

Anyway, I didn't come here to write about that. But I did want to throw in a few driving tips to assist you in expanding your MPG as you motor about at $4 per gallon, Unbeknownst to me, my recently altered driving habits have qualified me as a certain type of driver more recently titled as Hypermiler. These are people who are getting upwards of twice the list MPG on their standard vehicles by engaging in seldom used roadway behavior such as: coasting in neutral, cutting the engine on hills, pop-starting their cars instead of using the starter (stick only) and rolling through the occasional stop sign to avoid having to stop and start again. While i certainly can't recommend the latter habit, and have yet to attempt such a feat, I can offer a set of my recommended actions for boosting your miles per gallon.

1 - Drive the speed limit. According to a recent Consumer Reports test you can boost your mileage by up to 33 percent by simply slowing down. On the highways set the cruise control at no more than 62 mph. Which brings me to ...

2 - Cruise Control. Once up to 45 mph on the highway, set your cruise control and accelerating only using your cruise control until you reach your 62. Your cruise control feature will accelerate far slower than your right foot can and thus will save gas when increasing speed.

3 - Cut the engine when idling 30 seconds or longer. For those worried that shutting off the engine and restarting is a waste of gas, the stuff i've read says 30 or more is roughly all you need to wait to make it worth it. Unless of course you're driving a 67 Oldsmobile. Older cars will certainly use more gas on the restart and you may want to ensure you'll be waiting a few minutes or more.

4 - Do this only if you feel safe trying it. Employing the 30 rule in the previous segment, when traveling downhill longer than 30 seconds, cut the engine. Now some people worry about losing your power brakes when the car is not running and this is a valid concern. Test it in your car before getting on the roadways. I've tried it with the ol' CR-V coming down Bridge Street and toward the intersection at River St and haven't had a problem. And, what's more, I get 3 to 4 tenths of a mile logged each time I do it. That's roughly 4 free miles per tank (maybe more!) without the car even running! Whoo ha!

5 - Park with the nose of your car facing out...as in, pull through to the next parking space so you don't need to put the car into reverse when you start the car again for your return trip home. (Sounds ridiculous, but it helps).

6 - Don't believe the hype on the A/C on or windows down debate. I've read two different studies which state that the difference is so negligible that it really doesn't matter. Consumer Reports even added that the little you lose in gas with the A/C on is ok, because your comfort in these conditions actually increases your safety performance behind the wheel.

7 - Bike, walk, skateboard, carpool, or take any form of public transportation whenever possible. A sure fire way to stick the oil companies in the ass, is to not buy their gas. Add as much time in between fills as possible. I've had a pretty successful run on this last tank, with my previous fill being about a week ago at $3.89 per gallon. Since that time I've had two separate 48-hour periods where I haven't used the CR-V thanks to public transit, carpooling and cycling.

Gas sucks. Word to your boycott.