Another Gas Price Hike

The newest crisis to hit town is the rise in the price of gas. So what else is new, aside from your leather envelope, leather passport holders, leather padfolios, or your plump leather couch? From 40 cents a gallon in the '70s to the present day $4 plus, the increase seems unjust when your great grandfather relished the 17 cents per gallon in the 1930s.

Never before have had gas price hikes affected the average wage earner. Even if there are explanations that the recent gas price is at its lowest in the entire American history, there seems to be no way to accept it. You feel the squeeze and it hurts your pockets.

Mark Perry of USA Today simplifies this conjecture by saying it this way: you, as the average wage earner, work about seven minutes to be able to buy a gallon of gas, but your great grandfather worked a full 20 minutes before he could earn enough to buy a gallon. Well, seems fair enough.

Gas prices, though, are not the only problems knocking people around. If you are the average American slaving today at the standard hourly rate of $17.50, this is indeed a nightmare staring you in the face. But, instead of moping, take up the challenge and fight back.

Thrashing Run-away Gas Prices

Do not dump that car yet. These tips can you get extra mileage from your car:

* Use regular not premium gas, unless specified by the car manufacturer. Regular or octane gas does not affect fuel power. It only helps the car's engine to resist pinging or explosions when the gas and air mixture ignites prematurely or abnormally.
* Scout for the gas station that gives the lowest gas prices and don't worry over brands. As long as it can move your car, you're good to go.
* Decrease your speed at the suggested speed limits on highways. This saves you gas, and your car runs efficiently.
* Conduct regular engine maintenance. Avoid overheating the engine, and please change sparkplugs and other items frequently. Fix minor engine problem before it becomes too difficult to handle. Periodic engine checkups keep the car running, even after 175,000 miles.
* Travel lightly. For every hundred pounds of surplus weight on your car, your car's fuel economy decreases by one to two percent.

So take heart, don't dump that car yet!

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