Israel Conflict Contributes To Pump Pains
Posted July 14, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The mercury’s not the only thing that’s rising these days.
As we head into a weekend that’s forecast to be blazing hot, prices at the pumps continued to soar due to ongoing violence in the Middle East pushing oil prices above $78 US a barrel.
“We are certainly in uncharted territory,” said Victor Shum, an energy analyst.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if $80 is attained soon with this slew of geopolitical events in a tight market.”
Fighting between Israel and Lebanon, which broke out this week after two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped, has contributed to the latest increase.
Though neither country is directly involved in the oil market, there are fears the conflict could expand to involve the rest of the region, which produces nearly a third the world’s supply.
That means drivers can expect to pay $1.10 or more per litre at the pumps this weekend, causing frustration and more calls for government price controls on fuel.
“Of course, I would like that but I’m not an economist, so I don’t know,” said driver Jamie Wyse.
About 35 cents on every dollar of gasoline goes to taxes, something motorists feel should be reduced given recent prices.
“There has to be some kind of control,” added driver Elizabeth Rafeiro. “I don’t know what at what point people will get ridiculous and people can’t afford to drive. But maybe that will make people think about their SUVs and get them carpooling like they really should be.”
Gas Saving Tips
Face it, you have to drive and there’s no magic fuel around yet that can replace gasoline. Even hybrids have to have a little something in the tank. Here are a few ways to economize:
Watch your warm-ups. You only need about 30 seconds before putting the car in gear. Otherwise, you’re just wasting fuel.
Don’t idle. It’s estimated one minute of sitting in neutral or park uses the same amount of gas consumed when you start your engine.
Accelerate slowly from a stop sign or a red light. So-called jackrabbit starts will use up your gas faster. And if you’re driving in the city, that probably means there’s another red light waiting for you just a block away.
Consider buying gas at night. It’s not just the lower price. Gas is the most dense when it’s cool out, like the evening or early morning. You may actually get slightly more for your money because pumps measure volume, not density.
Don’t overfill. Most new cars have an automatic ‘stop’ when the tank is really full. Adding a few extra squirts to reach an even amount on the price readout or to top it up usually just wastes fuel.
Try to drive at a constant rate of speed. Slowing down and speeding up wastes a lot of gas.
Check your tire pressure. The air eventually goes down, especially during the colder months. Driving with improper inflation in your tires can lead to equally improper inflation in your wallet. And it can also be dangerous.
Watch your weight – and we don’t mean your own battle of the bulge. Too much junk in your trunk can create drag that weighs down your car and wastes fuel, especially on hills.
Consider car pooling or public transit. Not only is it environmentally friendly but it can save you a lot on future fill-ups when someone else is doing the driving and your car stays in the garage.
Here are some websites that list some of the cheapest gas prices across the city:
