SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – It’s not all doom and gloom, there are ways to still save despite the gas pump prices.
“Listen, I’m not happy about it,” Seasonal Resident at Longboat Key Mike Langer said. “Prices were already going up before the latest of the Russian-Ukraine situation.”
Experts say Russia’s attack on Ukraine is a large reason why gas prices are through the roof.
“Since this conflict began, the average price here in Florida has increased 73 cents per gallon,” AAA Spokesperson Mark Jenkins said. “Oil prices have jumped about 32-dollars per barrel.”
Drivers want to know when we will see any relief.
“I think when global supplies can stabilize a little bit, when there’s the expectation that supplies will meet demand, then you’ll see oil prices begin to back off,” Jenkins said. “I would expect gas prices to remain at current levels for some time, possibly through the summer.”
We may not see a decrease in gas prices for a while, so one way to save money at the pump is by staying up to speed with your car maintenance.
“If you don’t take care of your body and you don’t exercise and you don’t eat right, you’re putting it through more demands,” Jim Taylor Automotive Manager Elsa Downie said. “And you’re not using it wisely. It’s the same thing with your car maintenance.”
She says if you keep up with routine inspections, your car will run better, and you’ll save.
“When you go get your oil changed, have them check your filters, have them check the state of your tires, your tire pressure,” Downie said.
Putting the pedal to the metal can also affect your gas usage.
“When you’re at a stoplight and it changes to green, don’t just hit the gas and go, cause there goes your gas,” Downie said.
Watch your speed, too.
“The faster you go, the more gasoline you’re burning through,” Jenkins said.
Paying with cash is another great way to save. Some gas stations charge you more to swipe a card. Also, be sure to look for any rewards programs.
“You can save 5/10 and sometimes 30 cents a gallon,” Jenkins said.
Every cent counts at the pump.
“I’m not crazy frustrated, but I look forward to the day they start coming down to the two-dollar range,” Langer said. That would be nice
Some more gas-saving tips include avoiding excessive idling. If you can, avoid driving during rush hour. Also, try to use express lanes when you see them.
