My Perfect Automobile » gas

Experts Predict: Gas Prices Will Rise Again

Larry Bell — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:07:37 +0000

Gas Price Prediction: Honda Fit EV uses no gasoline, gets 114 mpg-e combined fuel economy rating

Compilers of the influential Lundberg Survey have released their latest report, which points out that gasoline prices have gone down an average of five cents per week for the last three months, settling at their current national average of $3.26 per gallon of regular. Tribly Lundberg, the survey’s publisher, says that current price trends for crude oil will soon wipe out about ten cents of the recent decline. In Long Island, New York, you can find the costliest gasoline in the U.S., coming in at $3.75, while Tucson, Arizona residents pay well under three dollars for a gallon, at $2.90.

Gas Prices: Video

Since experts are saying that gas prices are set to rise again soon, it is wise to keep in mind a listing of cars that have the best mpg rating. View the video clip above for the top ten sedans that get the most out of a gallon of fuel. Korean automaker Hyundai takes three slots on the list with Accent, Elantra, and Sonata coming in at 8, 9, and 10. Honda’s Civic is number seven but the Civic hybrid is the bronze medalist at number three. Volkswagen takes spots four and six with Passat and Jetta, respectively. Chevy’s Cruze Eco was number five. Notably, the top three cars in the ranking were hybrids, which is no surprise, though regular readers of MyPerfectAutomobile’s website will probably be able to guess what the top two gas-mileage cars were. Check out the video to see what cars won the gold and silver medals in the fuel economy olympics.

For a detailed explanation of what goes into the calculation and prediction of gasoline prices, see the official website for the Lundberg Survey. Industry professionals have turned to the Lundberg Survey for decades to see what is around the corner for the price of gasoline.
http://www.lundbergsurvey.com/

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Gas Prices at Record Highs: Will EV, Hybrid Sales Go Up?

Larry Bell — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 03:01:49 +0000

Gas Prices: Nissan Leaf is immune from the crisis

Refinery fires, pipeline problems, and a low reserve have caused gasoline prices in California to spike past $4.60 per gallon. Many stations have closed down due to the shortage, while others have remained open, fighting to keep their customers happy amid a volatile market. What analysts are calling a temporary shortage caused prices at some stations to surpass $5 per gallon. During past price surges, the sale of electric and hybrid cars saw significant increases. The auto industry rule-of-thumb has long been that if pump prices rise much past the $4 mark, hybrid and electric car sales pick up almost immediately.

Gas Prices: Video

In case you have not been able to catch up on all the latest details about the recent surge in gasoline prices, the following brief news summary will bring you up to speed. For now mostly confined to California, this latest round of price hikes has happened more quickly than the past half-dozen similar events. In fact, as the news summary suggests, pump prices went up nearly simultaneously with the spot shortages. A number of gasoline stations in the state have simply shut down and are not sure when they will reopen.

Gas Prices

The price of diesel fuel has also gone up, which is a particularly difficult situation for drivers of large trucks, whose livelihood depends on the ability to deliver goods as cheaply as possible. Besides the high price, volatility hurts the truckers as well, making it nearly impossible for their carriers to budget fuel expenses even a week or two into the future. Most experts say that prices should fall back a bit within the next week, when some of the temporary problems at refineries are adjusted.

For a wealth of information about gasoline prices, how they are set, and what the future holds, see the following educational resource:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline#Usage_and_pricing

Larry Bell

Car Wash Habits Predict Economy

Larry Bell — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:54:40 +0000

A very shiny Prius C

A strange thing has been happening for the last couple of decades. The number of people who use commercial car washes has declined each time the economy contracts. When the situation turns around, drivers take their cars to the wash more often. And it’s not just the overall economic outlook, since car wash business goes up and down almost directly opposite the price of gasoline.

Those who specialize in microeconomics say that this is predictable behavior, since most owners do not consider car washes to be a life necessity. So if you are wondering just how the economy is doing, or how gas prices have been trending, take a look at the neighborhood car wash and you’ll get a pretty good idea.

When consumers cut back on car washes, they tend to buy do-it-yourself wash-wax kits in order to save a few dollars. This can be both good and bad. As the linked video clip clearly demonstrates, there is a right way and a wrong way to wax a car. Though the narration does tend to favor one specific product, pay closer attention to the detail of the technique for some solid guidance about car waxing.

With the price of cars seemingly getting higher and higher, owners want to take better care of their vehicles, and that might mean doing the washing and waxing yourself, regardless of gasoline prices! If you use the right products, the proper technique, and take your time, the do-it-yourself wash and wax job will leave your car or truck looking great year round.

Remember the key point stressed in the video: It all depends whether your car is a “daily driver” or a “garage queen.” Each type of vehicle calls for a different level of care, different products, etc.

For more information about auto detailing, waxing, and washing, see the informative resource, linked below:

http://www.hotbodywax.com

Larry Bell

Massive Demand for High MPG Cars

Larry Bell — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:56:05 +0000

High mileage 2012 Hyundai Accent

Amid the recent spike in car sales, analysts are discovering an interesting detail. Buyers are demanding fuel-efficient vehicles, and shunning those that do not rate well in the mileage department. Aggregate data shows that 2012 began with a bang, as overall auto sales were up in all developed nations. But dig into the numbers a bit deeper and you will find that the really big winners were the ultra fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

Case in point: Three of the most sterling success stories of 2012 have been the Kia Optima, Toyota’s Camry, and the VW Passat. Each boasts mileage above 30 mpg for highway driving. Not so long ago, efficiency ratings like that were posted on the stickers of tiny vehicles only.

All the action seems to be in the mid-sized sedan category. These are cars that typically sell to small, and young, families as well as older folks who want a roomier ride. A decade ago, such cars were lucky to see mpg ratings in the high teens, much less the low twenties. Now, with the passage of a few years, higher gas prices, and the oncoming deluge of hybrid and electric cars, automakers are cranking out the high-mpg sedans, and selling plenty of them.

Thus, for the first time in recent memory, there might just be a real shortage of cars for the summer, since consumer demand for the efficient, redesigned sedans is outstripping supply. Dealers all over the U.S. are singing the same song, explaining to journalists and researchers that buyers invariably ask for high mpg models when they walk into the showroom. For now, the order books are filling up as sellers take orders and hope that buyers have the patience to wait for a couple months until delivery.

Big on MPG: VW Jetta 2012

For more information about fuel economy, have a look at the following website that goes into detail on all sorts of related topics. Calling itself, “the official U.S. government source for fuel economy information,” it lists concept and demonstration vehicles, shows how to save cash at the pump, explains EPA ratings, and can even help you find a car based on the miles you drive and what you can afford.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/extremeMPG.jsp

Larry Bell

High Gas Prices: Oil Industry’s Monopoly

Karen J — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:04:47 +0000

Efficiency and Better Cars Will Fuel America Faster Than Drilling

Once again, high gas prices are draining our wallets and making us crazy. What do we do?

Gas prices that are hitting a new high and an economy held hostage to global instability by an Oil Industry monopoly on our transportation system.

There’s nothing we can do to control the price of gas in America, because oil prices are set on a global marketplace. As we’ve seen, more drilling certainly isn’t the answer because that’s done nothing to reduce prices at the pump. The only thing more drilling has done, is increase profits for oil companies to the tune of $137 billion 1st year alone, a 75% rise since the year before. Who else got a 75% raise in the middle of the recession?

The fact is, the only way we can reduce how much we spend on gasoline is to reduce how much gasoline we use!

We need more choices in transportation. Our fundamental problem surrounding gas prices is a lack of CHOICE.

Right now the average U.S. Household buys more than 1,100 gallons of gas per year. At $4 per gallon, that means the average household spends $4,400 per year just on gasoline!

More efficient vehicles could help dramatically. Hybrid vehicles (half gas/half electric), can cost about half as much to operate as conventional vehicles. New fuel economy standards that take effect this year can deliver thousands of dollars in gas savings to Americans. By 2025, the new 54 miles per gallon fuel standard will save consumers $4,000 over the lifetime of their vehicle.

The new choices for fuel can help as well. Hybrid cars now on the market, for example, can cost the equivalent of $1 per gallon.

Americans who have the choice of walking, biking, taking public transportation, or telecommuting to work can skip trips to the gas pump altogether. According to a new report, switching to public transportation would save the average driver a whopping $10,120 a year!

Instead of continuing to give tax breaks to oil companies, why not channel that money to consumers to help buy more efficient vehicles or to fund research to build even better vehicles.

Write your officials and let them know that we need policies that give Americans More transportation Choices, and that something can be done about it!!

Karen Judkin

Gas Price Takes Surprising Turn

Larry Bell — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:25:27 +0000

Gas prices peaked in April

This year, car owners are getting a bit of a pre-summer surprise, as gasoline prices are going down earlier than expected. Most every summer sees a dip, however slight, in the cost of gasoline at the pump, and the peak is usually sometime in late June or early July. In 2008, the peak did not come until mid-July. No so for 2012, as most experts are saying that we have already hit the top and are in for a series of small declines for a couple of months at least.

AAA says that the peak was probably reached on April 5, when gasoline prices across the nation averaged $3.94, and have fallen almost one-half cent per day since then. In the world of pump prices, that is significant change. One reason for the drop has to do with world supplies of crude oil and gasoline, which are hitting record highs. Not since 1990, in fact, has there been so much oil in the spot market.

Shale and other atypical sources of oil, encouraged by market forces when prices are high, have come full circle. Now, with supplies at peaks, prices are finally starting to dip. The question is, how long will the decline of pump prices continue? Experts are certainly not in agreement there, with some saying we will see a resurgence of gas prices at the end of the summer, and others saying we are in for a long-term price abatement. One thing most industry analysts agree upon is that Iran plays a very large part in the entire scenario. When there is fear of unrest based upon the possibility of war involving Iran, prices go up. At least $25 of the most recent barrel price is attributed to fear of Mideast turmoil.

Toyota Prius, gas miser

For more on the price of petroleum, how it is determined, and how it affects other parts of the economy, see the following U.S. Government resource:
http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/

Larry Bell

Gas Prices: What Does Summer Hold?

Larry Bell — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:42:06 +0000

Smart Car: Easy on the gasoline

Gasoline prices have gone up a full 14 percent since February, and some say they are headed higher for the summer months. The short video clip, linked below, discusses the forces behind oil and gas pricing, what to expect, and how to minimize the effect on your wallet.

For the last 12 years, gasoline pump prices have gone up between spring and summer as refineries slow down the workflow in order to repair equipment and start producing summer inventory. While the cycle is relatively cyclical, and predictable, there is no telling how high the average summer price increases will go. With the shutdown of three major East Coast refineries, some experts, as the video narration points out, are thinking that this could be a record year. And, they don’t mean that in a good way.

With a presidential election coming up in November, this year’s price spike could have major repercussions for either political party, depending how harsh it is and how long it lasts. If the pain is just moderate for consumers, and prices decrease shortly after summer, that would bode well for the President and Democrats. If, on the other hand, we see record highs with little let-up after the hot months, Republicans will be trying to get electoral traction from the issue. Either way, there will be winners and losers. Regardless of how the political chips fall, it looks as though we will all be paying more for gasoline over the next several months.

For helpful information about fuel economy, see the official U.S. government site, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/, which lets you find and compare cars, calculate your own mpg, and see what others are getting from their cars. The website even has special sections that offer gas mileage tips and discuss electric car ownership. You can also find the official government list of the top ten most fuel-efficient vehicles for the year.

Larry Bell