saving gas $ (sale, lease, how much)

[snorpus]

This might be repeating what ThreeRun wrote...

Some (higher-end) vehicles will adjust the spark advance to take advantage of higher octane, which can improve efficiency. But if the engine isn't designed to vary the advance, there should be no difference.

[AliceT]

Back to the subject, change your oil regularly. I change my oil every 3,000 miles.

[Threerun]

My trucks oil gets changed every 10,000 miles. I cut the difference between schedule A and B recommendations (light and heavy duty use). I had the oil analyzed and it was still within spec at 10,000 miles..

The company car is a Blazer, and the schedule A recommendation is 7,500 miles.

Follow the recommended guidelines and you can't go wrong. New oils can go a lot further than 3,000 miles.

Tire pressure and alignment are biggies. So are open windows (increased drag in some cars). Sometimes it's actually better to run highway speeds with the A/C on and windows up.

[genesee]

What is the price of gas in West Virginia right now?

[David Kennedy]

$4.07.9 for 87 octane

Most of our branded gas is delivered from the Exxon depot in Pittsburgh.

BP/ amoco and Stop & Go are Ashland products from their refinery in Ashland,Ky.

[Two-Rivers]

I've seen $4.31 at one Marathon in a rural spot for the past several days, but definitely not the norm. 3.99-4.09 is what I see the most in cities.

That Whizzer would be cool in town. There are some electric bikes out here, and some nice conversion kits.

Threerun is on the money about 87oct vs. 93oct in a vehicle designed for 87oct.

DK- Carbon build-up increases compression ratio, the engine knocks on 87 and sets off the knock sensor, which in turn causes the electronics to reduce ignition timing, which in turn causes you to lose power with 87 octane. We call 93 octane the Band-Aid fix.

[ausurfer]

Hi
I've been following this thread about the price of gas. Yes, it is expensive, but spare a thought for we Australians -- I used to live in Morgantown, and moved home to Brisbane (Australia) a couple of years ago -- so I naturally keep up with what is going on over your way.

I did a recent comparison between what you are paying at the pump compared to Aussies. I converted Aussie litres to US gallons and also took into account the exchange rate difference between our two currencies:

So I worked out that there are 3.84 litres to the US gallon. We are currently paying AUS$1.75/litre for unleaded, so that works out to US$6.46/gallon (taking into consideration the exchange rate between the 2 currencies). I checked the WV gas prices and you guys are paying in the range of $3.89 - $4.00/gallon Morgantown Gas Prices - Find the Lowest Gas Prices in Morgantown, West Virginia).

The price here is forecast to get to around $2/litre within a month or so if prices/barrel continue to rise. I can't imagine what we'll be seeing this time next year.

On top of that, the drought that has been with us for almost 6 years now has impacted heavily on the price of food. Everything is skyrocketing, except of course, wages.

One thing that goes in our favour here is that Aussies have never really got into that love of the SUV that you guys have. So we drive smaller cars, which I am thankful for.

Maybe that's going to be a more common scene on interstates now?

Cheers to you all from "down under".

Kim

[David Kennedy]

ausurfer: Our government is in the process of adding a new tax to the gasoline here.. that should get out price into the $6.00 range..It's a global equalization...and I had the delight to visit Brisbane...enjoyed steak and kidney pie at a very small and very quaint restaurant operated by two non-married sisters about 70 years old...was simply delightful and in the basement of their apartment building. Was unusual for us, but their graciousness will always be remembered.

Seeing a lot of scooters park in little spots around town..

As for our interstates...we may not be needing them in the future...could re-adapt them for land-train freight use on one side and regular 2 lane, domestic travel on the otherside.

[harborlady]

Aussie those SUV folks, when I asked them, sounded as if they felt more invincible in them because they're higher off the road and do better in crash test ratings. the problem with that mindset is that we'd all do better in crash test ratings if they didn't exist- a catch 22. Sure they have their purpose for all terrain, but how silly it is to see a 4'9" mommy with long fingernails trying to drive it in suburbia. They're too unweildy for most people to operate in the first place, they barely fit in parking spaces, and nobody has a family of 6 children here anymore.
cargo space is handy, good traction AWD in bad weather, and all terrain usage means you can get stuck deeper in the woods than you would have ordinarily. Is that a good thing? lol

[genesee]

Lowest I've seen here (NH)..( we have no state tax) is $3.95..but with it increasing 2 cents a day..I'm usually happy to give people my 2 cents, but not every single day! I gave up my car , wow, been over two years now. We are just down to one for myself and my husband. I miss the freedom, but the prices are lessening my need to wanderlust. ( well the need to be in WV never decreases). I am walking everywhere, within 10 miles or so . It's helping me get into shape..( that's my contribution to the environment..not looking as crappy while out in it!)