Weekend Gas Watch Tracks Slightly Lower Prices for the 1st June Weekend
LOS ANGELES--June 1, 2001--For the first week since the middle of February, the Los Angeles-Long Beach area has seen the average price of unleaded regular gasoline decline slightly from the previous week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by the Automobile Club of Southern California.In the past week, motorists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area saw the average price fall by .007 cents/gallon. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
In the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gas was $2.029. The record price for the L.A.-Long Beach area is 2.036 set May 25. In San Diego, the average price was $2.021 per gallon, fractionally lower than the record of $2.025 set May 29. In the Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc area the average price was $2.022 per gallon, also lower than the May 16 record of $2.069.
In Las Vegas the average price of $1.834 was .009 cents lower than last week's average price. (The record for Las Vegas is $1.885 set March 27, 2000.) In the Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., area the average price was $1.707, .013 cents lower than the record of $1.720 set May 30.
"The slight decline in the average price of a gallon of gas is not enough to establish a trend," said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. "However, the price curve that we saw beginning to flatten last week, appears to be moving downward."
Average prices as of 12:01 a.m. June 1. Area Regular Mid-Grade Premium Los Angeles-Long Beach $2.029 $2.159 $2.195 San Diego $2.021 $2.151 $2.186 Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc $2.022 $2.152 $2.188 Las Vegas $1.834 $1.933 $2.003 Phoenix-Mesa $1.707 $1.780 $1.883
Weekend Gas Watch Tips
Owners of sport utility vehicles, along with other motorists, have felt the hit of price spikes over the past few months. Generally, SUVs get fewer miles per gallon than most passenger cars. "But with a little thought, SUV owners can improve their fuel efficiency," said Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer for the Auto Club. "Because sport utility vehicles generally are not as fuel efficient as most cars, adhering to these suggestions is even more important."
1. Slow down, accelerate and brake gently. Because SUVs do not have
shapes as aerodynamic as many passenger cars, slowing down becomes
more critical. If drivers go easy on the accelerator and brake
pedal, the ride becomes smoother and that can add up to 15 percent
in fuel efficiency.
2. Use the air conditioner sparingly. It's difficult in the hot
summer months to avoid using the air conditioner. But during many
mornings and nights, using the fresh air ventilator on the coolest
setting can be almost as effective in cooling the vehicle as the
a/c and you can add 5 percent-10 percent in fuel efficiency.
3. Tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure is of critical
importance to SUVs. Not only does proper tire pressure improve
fuel efficiency, it improves tire wear and can make the SUV easier
and safer to drive. Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of
fuel efficiency of up to 2 percent for every pound per square inch
under the manufacturer recommended pressure.
4. Perform routine maintenance according to recommendations in the
owner's manual. Ignoring tune-ups, lubricant and filter changes
can cause gradual loss of fuel economy -- up to 5 percent before
you notice.
5. Lighten the load. Many SUV drivers carry a lot of equipment,
either for their children or recreation. Regularly going through
the cargo areas and taking out anything unnecessary can remove
hundreds of pounds from the vehicle. SUVs already are heavier than
most passenger cars and carrying extra weight means fewer miles
per gallon.
