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Midterm/Deadline Article

As a class, we had to write as a midterm an article concerning gas prices and we had to include interviews. We had two hours in which to write the article once the assignment was given..

Tips and Tricks to Saving Money on Fuel for the 2005 Driving Season

Julie Owensby might have to cut back on activities in the upcoming weeks and months. Natalie Caligaris might reconsider her bi-monthly drive to Ft. Collins. While this is happening, others might be reconsidering what vehicles to drive. Fuel prices are on the rise, some areas in the nation topping $3.44 a gallon and local prices topping $2.29 a gallon. With the lowest prices in the area being $2.08 a gallon, according to coloradospringsgasprices.com, some people have changed the way they live and drive while others feel that it is simply a trend we have deal with.

Owensby drives a Honda Civic and even with it being one of the more economical cars to drive, she says that gas prices are having an impact on her because she has a lot of activities. Owensby would not consider taking buses because she loses an amount of freedom, but would seriously consider taking the train if Colorado Springs had a system in place. She spends about $45.00 a month and expects it to go up to about $60.00 a month in the near future. Caligaris says she drives to Ft. Collins every other week so the gas prices don’t affect her driving right now, but might in the future if the prices continue to rise. She drives a Jeep Cherokee and spends about $100.00 monthly on fuel. She won’t take a bus because the buses don’t run close enough to walk to but is considering carpooling in the future. Her tip for saving money on gas is to use a King Soopers card or a Safeway card for the gas discounts they offer. Caligaris plans on traveling this summer but will be flying.

Robert Burkart says his ideal car would be the Subaru Impreza and feels that the rise in gas prices really doesn’t effect him overly much “Gas is like water, it’s something you use” He has considered purchasing a motorcycle if gas prices make it to $3.00 or $4.00 a gallon but has no intention of getting a hybrid car. He would rather shell out the money for what he calls a rice-grinder like a Honda than to waste his money on a hybrid. Burkart offers these tips for saving on gas, he says that making sure the air pressure in the tires is correct according to the vehicles manufacture specifications and that the front hubs on the four wheel drive vehicles should be unlocked so as to not cause unwanted drag.

Sally Mendenhall says that her family has switched to driving the car that has better gas mileage, and drives the other one less. She says that she will be looking into buying a new car in eight years and will definitely buy a car with better gas mileage. Mendenhall’s family spends approximately $150.00 monthly on fuel for both of her vehicles. She says that she would consider buying a hybrid in the future if they improve the battery systems and the efficiency of the vehicles. She says that as prices rise on gas, the hybrid manufactures will be forced to make better hybrid vehicles. According to Mendenhall who is an engineering major, most vehicles only use 20% of the fuel in their tanks and the rest is wasted. Mendenhall offers these tips on saving gas, change out the fuel and air filters more often, if you have a cracked gas tank cap, throw it out and buy a new one, it will keep your fuel from evaporating.

Something we can all do is research ways to conserve fuel. www.fueleconomy.gov has these tips. Drive sensibly, observe the speed limit, avoid excessive idling, use cruise control, use overdrive gears, avoid peak rush hours, and using the recommended grade of motor oil are some of the tips they offer. During the 2005 driving season (April through September) gas prices are expected to be $.20 higher than during the 2004 driving season. One of the reasons for gas prices being so high according to www.eia.doe.gov, is that local, state and Federal taxes account for 27% of the total cost for gasoline. Refining costs are 15% of the total cost and distribution costs are 14% of the total cost, which means that only 44% of the total cost is the crude oil. The good news for folks who stay at home this summer, www.eia.doe.gov says that while the demand for electrical power is due to increase, hydroelectric power availability is due to increase as is coal production, which will drive the price of electricity down. The key to this Colorado summer is to stay home and let those fans blow, vacation in Colorado.