How are gas prices affecting your choices?

With AAA now estimating that the average price for unleaded gas has crossed $3/gal, how are drivers coping with the dollar drain from their wallets? Compared to last month, more contend that pump prices are forcing them to delay major purchases, reduce dining out, decrease vacation/travel, carpool, and spend less on clothing. In addition, more than two in five (43.4%) insist they’ll simply keep their cars in park more often, up from 41.0% last month. How may this affect the critical back-to-school season? Discounters may be the winners here, unless department and specialty stores offer special sales, bargains, and promotions. Take a look at the chart below to see how consumers are coping, compared to ’05:
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kart1 - 8/15/2006 1:07:17 PM

0 Boost

I was complaining some time ago, but now I am not anymore. The higher prices have not changed anything.

chewy - 8/15/2006 2:33:58 PM

+1 Boost

I am thinking hard about my future car, if prices go up any higher the Veyron is looking not as appealing.

RefuG - 8/15/2006 8:17:49 PM

0 Boost

Has anyone heard of AMSOil? It is a synthtic motor oil sold here in US and it improves gas comsumption by 20-30%. It costs twice as much as Castrol/penzoil and others, but you can go 20,000 miles between oil changes.

G

nextGen - 8/16/2006 12:40:12 AM

+1 Boost

RefuG yeah I use the synthetic AMSOil and effect of improving gas mileage at the rates you mention is not true. Low fuel consumption is largely dependent on your driving style and how well you follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your particular vehicle. Maintaining a proper tire pressure level also increases the efficiency and safety of the car.

As for the extended life of the newer synthetics, make sure you replace the oil filter a lot sooner than the oil since the filter will break down sooner and its flow will be retarded over time.

Synthetic is definitely the way. The higher price of synthetic over conventional oil is probably the only barrier to choosing synthetic. But once that is overcome if it is a factor then the benefits of synthetics is many.

chewy - 8/16/2006 4:23:01 AM

+1 Boost

Changing your oil after using the same one for 20 years will give you a fuel economy boost, but using synthetic instead of mineral will give you no boost in fuel economy. Maybe .2 MPG at best.

shiftright - 8/16/2006 10:40:13 AM

+1 Boost

As a performance car buyer and enthusiast, the current price of gas has little influence on my buying or driving habits/decisions.