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AAA Hoosier Motor Club Gas Gauge
(Apr. 16, 2008)

Market Overview
While nationwide gas price averages have continued to re-establish new all-time record high marks over the last few weeks, Indiana’s statewide average has remained well below its all-time record of $3.486 for self-serve regular (set May 26, 2007). But with the state’s average mark now standing at $3.453, the establishment of a new all-time record high in Indiana seems probable.

Escalating crude oil prices are, at least, partially to blame for this increase.

Oil jumped to $114.50 per barrel yesterday before ultimately closing at $111.31 based on news that Mexico had shut down as many as four oil shipping ports due to bad weather, and that Nigerian oil production had been disrupted over the weekend by a fire attributed to sabotage.

It is unclear how significant these two events are in terms of oil lost to the world market. U.S. oil inventories have been relatively healthy of late, but the supply situation globally is said to be tight. Nigeria and Mexico are both major suppliers to refineries in the United States.

Because of our nation’s dependency on foreign oil, the threat of a major disruption in oil shipping due to man-made or natural causes, or a significant failure in the refining or gasoline distribution system in the United States has the potential to send prices soaring even beyond today’s extremely elevated levels.

Commenting on the pain that consumers are now feeling at the gas pump has become an attractive topic for politicians seeking election this fall however, proposals on how to relieve this financial burden need to be carefully weighed by voters.

Short-term measures, such as suspending fuel taxes or raising taxes on energy producers, may initially sound attractive but, in actuality, could have serious and unintended consequences while doing nothing to address the country’s root infrastructure and supply problems.

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report
Current gas price averages can always be found on AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report at www.fuelgaugereport.com. The report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation’s most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA purchases the data and makes it available free on the Internet as a public service. Average daily prices for the nation, all 50 states and more than 250 localities are available for all grades of gasoline, making the site the most current and complete public source of fuel price information.

AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator
In order to help Americans establish travel budgets while making vacation plans, AAA and Oil Price Information Service have combined to offer an online tool that will help travelers estimate the cost of gasoline they will use during long-distance driving vacations. The site can be found at www.fuelcostcalculator.com.

Indiana’s Gas Gouging Hotline
The Indiana attorney general established a gas gouging hotline early in 2004 for people who feel that local gas stations are charging unfair prices. That telephone number is (866) 241-9753.

15 Ways to Stretch a Tank of Gas

One of the primary benefits of keeping a car properly maintained is maximizing fuel mileage. According to recent statistics, a neglected car can increase fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent. Of course, individual driving habits also make a difference. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that practicing fuel efficient driving techniques can improve fuel mileage by more than 10 percent.

• Be sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires can cause fuel consumption to increase by 6 percent. Check your tires with a gauge regularly. Radial tires can be under inflated and still look normal.
• Keep your suspension and steering in proper alignment and make sure your brakes are properly adjusted to minimize rolling resistance.
• Change your motor oil as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Check and replace air filters. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.
• Follow the recommended engine maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual to ensure optimal engine performance and to conserve fuel.
• Don't use premium fuel if your car doesn’t require it. The expense is not necessary.
• Observe the speed limit. As you drive faster, aerodynamic drag increases. As a result, at speeds above 55 mph, fuel economy decreases rapidly.
• Use your overdrive gears during highway driving. This decreases your car’s engine speed, reducing fuel consumption and engine wear.
• Take advantage of cruise control features to help you maintain a constant speed when traveling on highways.
• Avoid hard acceleration and drive defensively; try to brake and accelerate smoothly.
• Idling unnecessarily wastes fuel.
• Run errands with a plan. Try to make one trip instead of three.
• Take a load off your wheels. A vehicle weighed down with heavy items can increase fuel consumption by 1 or 2 percent.
• Travel light. A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by 5 percent.
• If possible, take advantage of carpools or ride-share programs.

AAA

AAA Hoosier Motor Club is a fully tax-paying, not-for-profit corporation offering a wide range of member services. The 405,000-member affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA) works for the improvement of motoring and traveling conditions in the state of Indiana. AAA is the largest motoring and traveling organization in the world with more than 50 million members.

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