Consumerist
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Congress approved a bill mandating car makers improve fuel economy from 25 MPG to 35 MPG by 2020. Hopefully there will still be a planet left to drive on by that time. [Chicago Tribune]
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High prices at the pump are here to stay for the near-future, OPEC decided to maintain current production levels. [AP]
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news from the swamp
Bush Fuel Economy Plan Rejected By The Courts
The Bush administrations fuel economy plan was rejected by 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Thursday. The court ruled that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration "failed to address why the so-called light trucks are allowed to pollute more than passenger cars and didn't properly assess greenhouse gas emissions when it set new minimum miles-per-gallon requirements for models in 2008 to 2011," according to the Associated Press. More » -
ouch
Gas Prices Could Rise By 20 Cents In The Coming Weeks
USAToday is reporting that gas prices could jump by $0.20 in the coming weeks as retail prices catch up to the recent surge in oil costs. More » -
financial advice
How $100/Barrel Oil Will Affect You
Oil is poised to break the century mark, and SmartMoney has a short article that examines the effects it will have on the average American's budget. A couple of reasons why we haven't felt more of these effects so far is that the rising cost has largely been eaten by oil refining companies and their gas stations, and because consumers have actually begun to reduce their gas consumption. However, if the price-per-barrel continues to rise, the U.S. faces a cold winter, and the dollar continues its anemic performance, you can look forward to the following consequences: More » -
cars
Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars
Here's the top 10 most fuel efficient cars, according to the 2008 Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy's fuel economy guidebook, published this Saturday. Prius tops the charts. More »
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bait and switch
Spurred By Consumer Email Campaign, Nebraska AG Smacks Down Bait-And-Switch Gas Stations
The Nebraska Attorney General has told the Conoco that posted low prices on its signs but then charged 25-50 cents higher per gallon on most of the pumps to stop its deceptive advertising practices. More » -
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good to know
Are Manual Transmissions Still More Fuel Efficient Than Automatics?
Bankrate says, "No." For the average driver under the average conditions, there is little difference. More » -
cars
10 Ways To Boost Your MPG
ForbesAutos interviewed Wayne Gerdes, a "hypermiler" who can squeeze 84 miles per gallon out of a regular Ford Ranger pickup truck, or 180.1 mpg from a hybrid electric Honda Insight. Here are 10 of his techniques for achieving startling fuel economy:
10. Turn off the A/C
9. Install a scangauge
8. When pulling into a parking lot, try to coast up to the highest point in the lot, so then you can coast out upon exit
7. If you're idling over 10 seconds, turn off the engine
6. Driving over the speed limit increases wind resistance, consuming more fuel
5. Rather than trying to maintain a constant speed, focus on maintaing a constant engine load
4. Drive like you have no brakes; coast whenever possible and avoid needless braking
3. Change your air filter yearly
2. Use the lowest weight oil recommended for your car
1. Inflate tires to maximum pressureWe also covered some of Wayne's more unorthodox methods in a previous post, "Potentially Insane Ways To Increase Your Fuel Efficiency."
The Pursuit of Hypermileage [ForbesAutos]
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gas
FTC Says Gas Was Expensive Last Year Because Of Market Forces, Not Price Gouging
You can stop worrying about whether or not you got screwed by the gas industry. The Federal Trade Commission announced late last week that they've found no evidence of price gouging during 2006, when the average price of gas rose above $3 per gallon. Or as one oil industry spokesman puts it (tactlessly, for a spokesman), "It's difficult for the average American to understand market forces, but that is what's ultimately in play with this industry." More » -
Consumers promote boycott of Conoco and BP stations along I-80 that post low prices on their signs but then charge 25-50 cents higher on most of the actual pumps. Under state law, the practice is legal. [Lincoln Journal Star]
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shopping
How Far Will Different Cars Go On One Tank Of Gas?
Bankrate has an oddly fun interactive tool that easily calculates how far different types of cars will go on a single tank of gas. The tool also lets you imput the price of gas in your area, so you can easily see how much you'll be paying when its time to fill up. More » -
good news
Gas Prices Drop By 10 Cents, Chicago Has Nation's Most Expensive Gas
Gas prices have dropped by about $0.10 this week according to a national survey quoted by CNN Money. More » -
hallelujah
Gas Prices May Remain Stable Through The End Of The Year
Take out the keys, throw open the garage, gas prices may soon end their wallet-busting ascent. Analysts armed with charts and calculators think gas prices may camp for the rest of the year around the $3 mark. Of course, hurricanes or explosions can wreak havoc on estimates and refineries, but barring interference from terrorists, careless workers, or Mother Nature, the worst may be over. From the L.A. Times: More » -
your money
When Warmer Temperatures Throw Off Gas Pumps, Consumers Pay
"In the summer time fuel gets hot and as the fuel gets hot the volume expands, but the energy does not," says a new report from NPR. The basic idea is that while the volume of fuel expands and contracts, the amount of potential energy within the gas stays the same. A gallon of gas at 80 degrees won't push a car as far as a gallon of gas at 60 degrees. More » -
Wary of high gas prices, teens are changing their social patterns; sharing the cost of a tank of a gas is now common, while driving around aimlessly at night has become a thing of the past.
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news from the swamp
Senate Passes Energy Bill With New Fuel Economy Standards
The Senate has passed an energy bill that establishes new fuel economy standards. More »
gas
New York, 12:55 AM
Mon Nov 23
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