Consumerist

gas

AAA: The Number One Waste Of Gas Is…

By consumeristcarey 6.3.07

Running the air conditioner on full blast, keeping the trunk full, and idling excessively are all great ways to waste gas; but, the number one waste of gas may surprise you:

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average driver can improve mileage by 3.3 percent simply by inflating their vehicle’s tires regularly. In fact, according to the AAA, under-inflated tires are the No. 1 way we waste gas. One out of every four cars and one out of every three pickups, vans, and SUVs have at least one extremely low tire.

Next time you pull into a gas station, whip out the old tire gauge and see if your tires need some air. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

markets

Why Is Gas So Freakin' Expensive?

By consumerist.com 5.29.07

Did you know that gas price gouging almost never occurs as prices rise? Rather, it’s most often when dealers keep prices artificially high even as their costs fall.

economy

Only Two States Have Average Gas Prices Under $3

By Meg Marco 5.22.07

Congratulations New Jersey and New Hampshire! Your average price per gallon for that life blood we call gasoline is still under $3. New Jersey has the cheapest gas at an average price of just $2.93! How do they do it? More importantly, how did we managed to write this post without cracking a New Jersey joke? Because we’re above that, people. Yes, we are. —MEGHANN MARCO

cars

Get 30 More Miles Per Tank: Turn Off Engine If Idling More Than 10 Seconds

By consumerist.com 3.29.07

If you’re going to be idling for more than 10 seconds, you can get 30 more miles per tank, according to the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency and the Celias blog.

cars

5 Ways To Find Cheap Gas

By consumerist.com 3.9.07

Life Clever has five different ways to find cheap gas fast: Desktop widgets, websites, text-messaging services, mobile web browser and GPS.

cars

Potentially Insane Ways To Increase Your Fuel Efficiency

By Meg Marco 3.6.07

Wayne doesn’t get high mpg marks by tinkering with engines or using funky fuels or even, most days, by driving a hybrid. He gets them by driving consciously – hyperconsciously….

cars

New EPA Fuel Economy Stickers To Use More Realistic Estimates

By consumerist.com 2.5.07

Starting with the 2008 line, new cars will feature an improved fuel economy sticker with better estimates of gas usage. The stickers will show an increased range of expected mpg, depending on how one drives.

cars

Exxon Mobil Posts Largest Annual Profit In US History

By Meg Marco 2.1.07

Exxon Mobil’s record annual earnings followed a year of extraordinarily high energy prices as crude oil topped $78 a barrel in the summer – driving up average gasoline prices in the United States to more than $3 a gallon. Prices retreated later in the year.

Way to go, Exxon. —MEGHANN MARCO

gas prices

Gas Price Election Conspiracy Press Coverage is Adorable

By Meg Marco 11.7.06

We think it’s cute the way that reporters try to compensate for the partisan nature of reporting on “election conspiracies” and go out of their way to find the most plain-spoken down-homey stereotypically right-leaning type dude they can.

electric

HOWTO: Dispute a Utility Bill

By Meg Marco 10.26.06

While it doesn’t compare to Michelle’s $27,933.55 bill, last year we received what can only be called a totally bullshit $170 electric bill for a month when everyone was out of town. The problem was–we had no idea how to dispute it. Call in our Uncle Mickey? Scream colorful metaphors into the telephone?

people's gas

The $27,933.55 Gas Bill

By consumerist.com 10.25.06

Michelle Stevens was shocked to open her mail and see People’s Gas bill for $27,933.55

whitefence

WhiteFence.com’s Tainted Ties

By consumerist.com 10.23.06

A few weeks ago, we posted about WhiteFence.com, a site that lets you compare and contrast service providers, which could be especially good for when you’re moving.

electricity

Questions To Ask Energy Resellers

By consumerist.com 10.10.06

Many states offer a choice of energy suppliers. Some of these energy resellers actually can offer savings, but before you sign, be sure to ask a few questions, especially if they come to your door.

whitefence

WhiteFence: Slash All Your Bills, Compare and Contrast

By consumerist.com 10.6.06

UPDATE: WhiteFence is not an unbiased recommendation site. They form “partnerships” with certain providers, limiting consumer choice. Read more in this update.

deadbeats

A Cold Shower A Day Keeps The Gas Company Away

By consumerist.com 10.6.06

Erstwhile Consumerist guest blogger and Upgrade Travel editor Mark Ashley has been taking a lot of cold showers lately. Heck, his nipples protrude like fleshy awls. Yet unlike most men who take to basking themselves in an icy deluge, Mark is not trying to extend his life or cut down on his sex drive: the situation’s been thrust upon him by Chicago People’s Energy (as Communist a name for a gas company as I’ve ever heard).

readers

WalMart. Always Low Compassion, Always.

By Meg Marco 9.18.06

Running low on gas and stuck with nothing but a gift card WalMart won’t let you use? Far from home? Screwed? In your desperation, don’t try to sell the card at a loss to another customer. Wal-Mart will call the cops on your soliciting ass. Then they’ll throw you out of their parking lot and call you a “vagrant.”

cars

Giant Puddle of Oil Found Under Gulf of Mexico

By consumerist.com 9.6.06

In one of the largest oil finds in several decades, Chevron successfully ran a test-well in the Gulf of Mexico into a reserve with the potential for 3-15 billion barrels. The drilling opened up new possibilities for ultra-deepwater offshore drilling, but don’t expect it to affect pump price anytime soon. The first drop won’t hit markets until 2012, experts say.

readers

Check The Pump Button

By consumerist.com 8.30.06

Gabe reports going to his local Sunoco and pressing the button for 87 Octane. When he checked his receipt, he found he was being charged $3.16/gallon instead of the expected $2.96/gallon

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gas