No matter who is to blame… The close of the pipeline… The politicians… or the war in Ukraine… There is one thing that is now affecting commuter students of SUNY Old Westbury and that is the soaring gas prices we are seeing at our local pumps.
As you drive to campus, you’ll pass a number of gas stations, many of which change their prices either hourly or daily for the worst. As of this writing, the gas prices are ranging from $3.85 to $4.67 per gallon, a tremendous expense and a large difference from one gas station to the next. One way that students can find the best prices for a gallon of gas is an application called, “GasBuddy.” The website, which is also seen in the App Store, relies on public reporting to post daily gas prices in their area. This can be useful in finding prices within your area or areas you are traveling in by simply searching the zip code. Once you find your preferred gas station within a reasonable distance, you receive directions and are on your way to save yourself anywhere from a few pennies to 30 cents a gallon.
How to Conserve Fuel:
Saving as much as you can at the pump is important, and equally as important is using the gas you get as efficiently as possible. According to the Automotive Association of America (AAA), there are a few fundamental rules that can help conserve fuel:
1) Minimize cold engine operation. To save fuel, don’t let the engine idle to warm up. Start driving and allow the engine to warm up that way. A car engine consumes one quarter to one-half gallon of fuel per hour when idling.
2) Drive conservatively and slowly. Avoid “jackrabbit” starts. Rapid acceleration and hard braking can lower fuel economy by 15 to 30 percent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 percent in stop-and-go traffic.
3) Anticipate road conditions. Monitor the traffic ahead and “time” stoplights to maintain momentum and avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
4) Observe speed limits. Your car’s fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speeds increase. Reducing highway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by 7 to 14 percent.
5) Check the tires for proper inflation at least once a month. Underinflated tires have increased rolling resistance that reduces fuel economy. They can also overheat and blow out.
6) Try to avoid the use of rooftop luggage carriers. Items transported on top of the car significantly increase aerodynamic drag, which reduces fuel economy.
With the use of the GasBuddy app, you’ll find the best gas prices around. And with a little care put into your car and moderation of your driving habits, you’ll be able to preserve the gas in your tank. Hopefully, no matter if it’s the pipeline, the politicians or the war in Ukraine, gas prices will go back to normal so your commute won’t burn as much as we continue the semester.
