Gas prices and routine
maintenance are the factors
that drive Bucks students
crazy on a daily basis.
Throughout Bucks’ parking
lots, students act like predator
and prey-following
departing students to their
cars in order to snatch up a
good space.
But during these tough economic
times, students who
pay for gas on a weekly basis
in order to get to school are
running on empty.
According to the Energy
Information Administration,
as of March 2, the current
average price for gas on the
east coast stands at $1.92.
Alicia Volpe, 21, a psychology
major from Levittown
said, “It’s okay where it is,
but it could be cheaper.”
Volpe spends about $40 a
week to fill up her 2002
Hyundai Accent to accommodate
her lifestyle and five-day
school schedule.
By many standards, the current
prices are better when
compared to just a few
months ago when gas prices
ranged between $2.50 and $3
a gallon for regular unleaded.
“Prices aren’t so bad, but
when they get higher my car
is kind of a gas hog,” said Eric
Eitelgeorge, 20, a social service
major from Doylestown.
Higher gas prices cost
Eitelgeorge $60 to $70 to fill
his 97 Volkswagen Passat
VR6. At the current prices it
still takes roughly $40 to fill
his tank.
Other students pay less
when it comes to filling up at
the gas station.
Mike Ireland, 20, criminal
justice major from Levittown,
owns a 1987 Honda Accord.
He forks out $20 to $30 for a
full tank of gas.
To save on gas, some Bucks
students have even considered
alternatives to physically
going to school.
Ashley Wunder, 21, a history
major from Levittown,
contemplated taking online
courses to save on gas.
Frequency of driving and
distance are not the only factors
that affect a car’s gas efficiency.
Overall maintenance of a
car can greatly determine
how well a car runs, thus saving
students on gas.
Eitelgeorge said he “very
meticulously” maintains a
working car. Some of his
methods involve oil changes
every 2,500 miles, getting
new tires every so often and
making sure all the fluids are
at proper levels.
Properly inflated tires along
with regular tune-ups
improve a car’s fuel efficiency.
According to drivesmarterchallenge.
org, “Fixing a car
that is noticeably out of tune
or has failed an emissions test
can improve its gas mileage
by an average of 4 percent –
saving up to 25 gallons of
gasoline and about $80.”
It is recommended that a
car’s oil should be changed
every 3,000 miles because it
contributes to a better running,
fuel-efficient car.
Air filters should also be
changed every 12,000 miles.
There are also better methods
to driving that make a car
more efficient.
Those who like to speed
should know that going more
slowly will improve fuel efficiency.
Along with observing
speed limits, drivers should
also use their car’s heating or
air conditioning less. The less
it’s used the greater amount
of gas money that will be
saved.
Drivers on highways
should use cruise control to
save on fuel. And, if any of
these options aren’t appealing,
there is always car pooling
or public transportation.
Bucks offers a ride board
that lists students interested
in carpooling.
For more information, visit
bucks.edu/life/rideboard.