Gas price relief: Residents happy to see recent drop in gas prices

Jeff Broddle | Cadillac News Larry Stone fills up a gasoline can at the EZ Mart in preparation for snowmobile season.

The year was 1968.

After getting married, Bill McCarthy and his new wife Barb packed up their belongings in their new Ford Torino, which cost them $3,200, and they set off to begin their life together out west. The couple was on their way to their new $150-a-month rented home in San Clemente, Calif., where when they opened their back door, they would step onto the beach along the Pacific Ocean.

On the way to their new dwelling, couple took their time along Route 66 and stopped to see some of the sights along the way like the Grand Canyon, mountains and even got sidetracked and went out of their way to view geysers.

When they stopped to fill up their 20-gallon gas tank, McCarthy had to shell out 34 cents per gallon, which he thought was pretty expensive back then. He said the $6.80 it cost them to fill up the tank would go a long way back then.

Fast forwarding to today, not only has rent on that ocean-front house gone up, but the price of a gallon of gas has as well.

According to michigangasprices.com, as of this past week the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Michigan is approximately $2.13. The price of gas has been steadily dropping since July and early August when the average price was $3.10 per gallon.

Tim Woodard of Paris said he, like many others, is relieved to see the cost of gas has been steadily heading downward. Woodard, who drives a truck, puts on at least 80 miles a day to and from his job in Cadillac.

“I recently figured out how much it costs me in fuel - it was about $550 last month,” he said.

Woodard figures he spent at least one and a half times more when gas was around $3 a gallon.

“I never really sat down and figured it out - it was pretty surprising to see that figure,” he said. “It is nice to see the price drop, but I really don't expect to see much below $2 a gallon again.”

Jim Rink, spokesperson for AAA, agreed that it is unlikely gas prices will drop below $2 a gallon. He sees the current low prices as temporary.

“As early as January of next year, we will probably see the price start to rise again,” Rink said. “Consumers shouldn't think that the worst is over or they shouldn't conserve anymore. Something could happen that would set the prices high again.”

Whether the price of gas is high or low, Manton resident Dona Longstreet said she'll continue driving no matter what. But to help, she has implemented some gas-saving strategies such as slowing her speed down and consolidating errands.

“Whatever the price is, I'll take it and be glad I have a car and can pay for gas,” she said. “I can't believe that I would ever see gas down to $2 again. I am happy it went down and I think it is a whale of a deal.”

Taking everything into consideration, Rink said we are fortunate to have gas at the price it is today. Adjusted for inflation, gasoline is still less than it cost in 1980.

“When we get to the $3.11 mark or higher, then it is starting to reach the 1980 levels.”

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The following are tips on how to save gas mileage. Equivalent gasoline savings are based on if the price of fuel is $2.31/gallon.

€ Drive sensibly: aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. The equivalent is 12 to 75 cents per gallon.

€ Observe the speed limit: While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. For every 5 mph a person drives over 60 mph, it is like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon for gas.

€ Remove excess weight: avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle. An extra 100 pounds in a vehicle can reduce miles per gallon by up to 2 percent. Taking out 100 extra pounds can save between 2 and 5 cents per gallon.

€ Use cruise control: can help maintain a constant speed and save gas.

€ Use overdrive gears: car's engine speed goes down which saves gas and reduces engine wear.

tberkebile@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)