just my thoughts

Everybody is looking for the best way to save on gas prices. From buying hybrid vehicles, scouring the newspaper and craigslist for small cars with great gas mileage, to even converting their own diesel fuel to more efficient combustion methods to cheat the system. There seems to be all kinds of wacky solutions from people thinking outside the box to solve this ‘crisis.’

It seems to me the simplest and most cost-effective solutions is what I consider to be ‘inside the box!’ It won’t solve all your gas-expense-woes, but it is guaranteed the simplest and well, worth-the-time-and-effort-method, and it’s right at your fingertips.

Ok. So I’ve been doing some experimenting with these ridiculous gas prices, and there’s not many ways around it, however I think I’ve found the quickest and easiest way to improve your mileage.

BUY MID-GRADE GASOLINE.

It’s that simple. For those that don’t already buy the ‘plus’ or whatever that gas station calls the ‘middle’ priced gasoline… here’s a breakdown of why you should.

I drive (okay, drove, but that’s another story, coming soon) a 1991 Chevy Lumina Eurosport 3.1  2 Door small car, comparable to a cavalier I guess, but longer.

With regular (low-grade) gasoline, I average about 23 MPG between city and the commute I do to Anchorage. Decent, but nothing to be too proud of for a small car. With mid-grade gasoline, this past weekend I drove to Seward and back, and averaged 29 MPG.

6 MPG!

– that’s a 26% increase in my gas mileage.

The KEY is this:

I’m paying 4.26 / gallon for regular, and only 4.36 / gallon for mid-grade!

– that’s a 2.3% increase in price.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t pay 2.3% more for gas when it gives you 26% better gas mileage???

I’m aware not everyone will have the same outcome by bumping up to the next grade of gasoline, and obviously a trip straight to Seward gives a better gas mileage than city… But I guesstimate my average increase by switching to mid-grade gasoline is about 20%.

Some people are not so willing to pay the extra for mid-grade, especially as gas prices rise… but keep this in mind. Think back when gas was say… $2.10 for low-grade, and $2.20 for mid-grade.

That price difference is 4.7% more expensive to get mid-grade than regular. As gas prices rise, GENERALLY mid-grade is still only $.10 / gallon more expensive, so it’s changed from being 4.7% more expensive for mid grade (remember 20% better gas mileage?) down to only 2.3% more expensive.

So broken down, that means the more expensive gas gets, the more beneficial it is for you to move up to Mid-Grade gas, and of course it makes your vehicle run better as an added perk.

So follow a few basic steps:

1. Don’t take off like a fiend from every red light/stop sign.
2. Cruise at 67 MPH on the highway not 73 MPH… the difference will honestly be about 4 - 6 minutes on a 40 mile trip, but will help drastically with gas mileage.
3. Buy Mid-Grade Gasoline.

Then again I’m not a professional financial adviser, this is merely my opinion and experience playing out. Take it for what it’s worth.

*Extra Tip: Add a can of injector cleaner to your gas tank every 10,000 miles for better fuel efficiency.