Rising Fuel Costs Versus EPA Mileage
The price of gas doesn’t seem to be going down, it might drop a few cents here and there but we aren’t going to see gas prices like the ones offered in July of 2007, that’s when the increase in the cost of fuel began to rise. What can you do? There are a few things such as keeping your tire pressure at a proper inflation, you can get scheduled oil changes and make sure your automobile is tuned up so you can squeeze every bit of fuel energy possible out of your tank of gas. Limiting your unnecessary driving is another way or even carpooling with those who share the same office is a great way to save on fuel.
But let’s face it, we need our cars, we depend on them to get us around and finding the best gas mileage vehicles has become a sure fire way to get the most out of our cars. If you’ve driven by a car dealership that sells SUV’s or Hummers then you’ve probably seen nothing less than a buy one get one free deal going on. Larger trucks or SUV’s are considered gas guzzlers and people just can’t afford to fill them up anymore. Consumers are looking for economically fuel efficient cars so they don’t have to make a decision between groceries and gas.
Some of the best cars for gas mileage in 2008 are hybrids; these cars are a combination of electricity and gas. The Toyota Prius gets an estimated 48 MPG on the highway and 45 MPG in the city; this averages out to be 46 MPG. The Prius is a smaller car and not for families of 5 or more. It can be a great first car for a college student or a car that families can purchase to replace their existing gas guzzler.
Another factor to look at in fuel costs is basing how much it will cost over a 5 year period. If you purchase a car generally your loan is set for 5 years, if you lease a car it’s usually a standard 2 year deal. Either way you should look at fuel costs, the price of gas will continue to rise so it’s best to find a car that fuel efficient for the long haul.
There are even hybrid SUV’s. The EPA standards for these vehicles are approved to give you the same pulling power for a larger family while helping control greenhouse gasses. Ford, Mazda and Toyota offer hybrids that get 34 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. They are more fuel efficient than before and still offer the room you need to travel with family.
Some of the worst cars for gas mileage are large trucks, SUV’s and impractical vehicles like sports cars. While these are needed in some cases they have become too expensive to maintain. If you can afford to drive one and fill it up with gas each week then the rising cost of fuel probably doesn’t concern you. Many people are finding that purchasing a fuel efficient vehicle now will allow them to sell it back and they’ll get a good return on their investment. That’s what a car has become, an investment.
If you’re shopping for a fuel efficient car to replace the one that just doesn’t seem practical anymore then look for one that gets great gas mileage and can still maintain your busy lifestyle. Reducing your dependence on fuel will help to lower the cost and you’ll be able to take those family vacations that many have been forced to cancel.
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