Even though the U.S. Attorney General has already begun an inter-agency investigation into the manipulation of oil prices, three senators have asked the Jon Leibowitz, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and Consumerist pal, to investigate possible price fixing by this country’s oil refiners. [More]
gas prices
Drivers Line Up For Cheap Gas After Glitch Lowers Price To $1.10/Gallon
By 5.16.11
When people in the L.A. neighborhood of Wilmington began to get word that a Valero gas station was selling gas for the low, low price of $1.10 a gallon, there were soon cars lined up around the corner. But this wasn’t some crazy promotional discount; it was a computer glitch that lost the station’s owners thousands of dollars. [More]
The Cities That Guzzle The Least & Most Amounts Of Gas
By 5.11.11
As gas prices exasperate consumers at the pump nationwide, you might be throwing your hands up in despair and grumbling about how your neighborhood probably has it the worst. A new report shows that it’s not necessarily the biggest cities that are spending the most on gas. [More]
Higher Gas Prices Leading To Increase In Stranded Drivers With Empty Gas Tanks
By 5.5.11
Now that it’s more expensive to fill up your gas tank than it is to take a family of six out to the movies, folks are trying to stretch that fuel dollar as thin as they possibly can. Unfortunately this has led to a jump in the number of stranded motorists in need of a few drops just to get them to the next gas station. [More]
Not Filling The Tank On Your Rental Car Could Cost You $9 A Gallon
By 5.4.11
Next time you’re running close to the deadline for returning a rental car and have to choose between a late fee or being penalized for not having a full gas tank, be sure that you’re using the right per-gallon dollar amount when figuring out which will cost less. According to a new USA Today survey, the penalty for having to fill up a rental car’s tank can now set you back over $9 per gallon. [More]
Swiping Your Debit Card At The Pump Could Put A Huge Hold On Your Checking Account
By 4.29.11
When customers pay by debit card, it’s a common practice in the hotel and restaurant business to put a hold on their account for an estimated amount of the purchase. That way, there is still flexibility for you to write in a tip or to cover any other ancillary costs. Now, more and more gas stations are taking this approach for debit card customers who swipe at the pump, putting holds in the range of $50 to $100 that can linger on your account for days. [More]
Big Oil Companies Sucked Up Much Higher Profits Than They Did A Year Ago
By 4.29.11
You may not be too pleased about paying higher and higher gas prices, but rest assured that your money is going to a good cause — the continued enrichment of big oil. In the first quarter of 2011, the five largest oil companies all upped their massive profits from a year ago. [More]
Calculate And Track Your Gas Mileage With Fuelly
By 4.26.11
The best way to save money on gasoline is to use less of it. You can do that by driving less, and by being more conscious of your car’s gas mileage. Fuelly is a handy little web application that’s easy to use from your smartphone, or your computer. It tracks your gas purchases and mileage over time and calculates miles per gallon overall and per tank. [More]
Costco Sues California Man Picketing Over Gas Prices
By 4.6.11
For the past few months, a man in San Luis Obispo, CA, has been protesting his local Costco, claiming that the store’s gas prices are misleading. Now the store has sued the peeved protester, alleging that he’s trespassed on store property and made threatening statements. [More]
Government May Tap Petroleum Reserve To Tame Pump Prices
By 3.7.11
Because Middle Eastern turmoil is inflating the price of oil, leading to runaway gas prices that are in no way examples of gouging, the government is considering turning toward its own petroleum stockpile. [More]
Botched Paperwork Delays Law Capping Gas Tax
By 3.4.11
As gas prices have continued to rise in recent weeks, the people of Suffolk County in New York must have been so happy they passed a law that would cap sales tax on gas. The regulation was supposed to have kicked in on March 1, but, well… someone goofed. [More]
Gas Prices Rose 17 Cents A Gallon Last Week
By 2.28.11
Tighten those purse strings and skip those drives to the country — gas prices rose 17 cents per gallon this week and are likely to keep going up. [More]
Gas Prices Rise Amidst Egyptian Turmoil, But Now Holding Steady
By 2.1.11
The upheaval in Egypt is raising prices at the pump, with average prices rising to $3.10 a gallon, according to data from GasBuddy. Though Egypt is not a major supplier of oil, the Egyptian-controlled Suez canal and the nearby Sumed pipeline are key pass-through points for the world’s oil supply, and there are concerns that the civil unrest could spread to other oil-producing countries. As of Tuesday upwards pressure on oil prices eased off as so far back the protests haven’t disrupted transportation. [More]
10 Tips For More Fuel-Efficient Summer Driving
By 6.1.10
It’s the summer holiday season, which for many people means long hours on the road headed to the beach, the countryside, the mountains, the lake, amusement parks… and of course back home again. With gas prices still putting a crimp in many drivers’ wallets, the grease monkeys at AutoMD.com have come up 10 things you can do to enjoy your warm-weather ride with a few less worries. [More]
Gas Prices Have Jumped $0.20 In The Past Two Weeks
By 10.26.09
Gas prices have spiked in the last two weeks, reaching levels last seen during the peak of the summer driving season, says the AP. The increase in gas prices has retailers worried that consumers who are putting more money in their gas tanks will buy fewer gifts during the upcoming holiday season.
Can You Save Money By Motorcycle Commuting? Not Really
By 9.11.09
Sure, switching to a motorcycle or scooter for your highway commute might seem like a good idea, especially if you want to save gasoline and fantasize about gridlock-defying, illegal traffic maneuvers. But while motorcycle commuting has some good points, it probably isn’t going to save you much money over commuting by car.
By 6.9.09
../../../..//2009/06/09/wondering-about-average-gas/
Wondering about average gas prices across the country? Overall, they’re up (big surprise) and gasoline is currently cheaper than diesel fuel, too. If you missed it back in May, you can also learn why gas prices keep going up. Spoiler alert: it involves supply and demand. [Consumer Reports Cars]
The Staycation Is Soooo 2008
By 5.13.09
Roll on, Summer of 09! Staying at home is sooo last year. According to a recent travel survey, America is on the move again! 95% of respondents said they are planning to get away this summer. No more navel gazing and lawn mowing. It’s on to brighter things such as cruises, the Caribbean, and even Europe. Plus, with “historically low airfares” and gas prices down a buck fifty per gallon from a year ago, you can even visit *gasp* other parts of America!
