Gas prices in Charlotte are still high. Here’s how to adjust without breaking the bank
The cost of oil has gone down over the few days, leading to a slight decrease in gas prices in Charlotte and across the country.
After reaching an all-time high of $4.19 a week ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Charlotte area is $4.13, according to AAA. The average price of diesel fuel is just north of $5, down 15 cents from last week.
The national average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by four cents to $4.28 since Monday, according to AAA.
Here’s why the cost of oil is dropping, and how you can maximize your car’s gas mileage.
Why is the cost of oil dropping?
After oil prices spiked in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, AAA says the drop in oil prices is due to China’s announcement of new lockdowns due to rising COVID-19 infections.
Prices are lower because of market concerns that oil demand will decline, similar to 2020 when many countries implemented restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.
Will premium gas improve your car’s fuel economy?
A common belief is that premium gas – which currently costs 71 cents more per gallon than regular gasoline in the Charlotte area – will improve a car’s fuel economy.
However, unless your vehicle was designed for premium fuel, you probably won’t experience any benefits, fueleconomy.gov says. You can check your owner’s manual to see if premium fuel is recommended and under what conditions.
How can you improve your car’s fuel economy?
Paying more at the pump won’t improve your fuel economy, but there are plenty of other things you can do to get better gas mileage, according to fueleconomy.gov:
Get your car serviced regularly. If your engine is in poor condition, you can waste fuel.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. If your tires are underinflated, your car’s fuel efficiency can reduce by up to 0.3% for every pound of pressure dropped in all four tires.
Lighten your load whenever possible. Remove your roof storage rack whenever you aren’t hauling anything.
Avoid idling for long periods of time. Idling can use a quarter to a half-gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use.
Use cruise control. It can help you maintain a constant speed and will save gas in most cases.
Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.
