Ok. So I’ve been doing some experimenting with these ridiculous gas prices, and there’s not many ways around it, however I think I’ve found the quickest and easiest way to improve on your mileage.

BUY MID-GRADE GASOLINE.

It’s that simple. For those that don’t already buy the ’super’ or whatever that gas station calls the ‘middle’ priced gasoline… here’s a breakdown of WHY you SHOULD.

I drive a ‘91 Chevy Lumina Eurosport 3.1. 2 Door small car, comparable to a cavalier I guess, but longer.

With regular gasoline, I average about 23 MPG between city and the commute I do to Anchorage. Decent, but nothing to be too proud of for a small car. With mid-grade gasoline, this past weekend I drove to Seward and back, and averaged 29.

5 MPG!

– that’s a 28% increase in my gas mileage.

The KEY is this:

I’m paying 4.26 / gallon for regular, and only 4.36 / gallon for mid-grade!

– that’s a 2.3% increase in price.

Who in their right mind wouldn’t pay 2.3% more for gas when it gives you 28% better gas mileage???

I’m aware not everyone will have the same outcome by bumping up to the next mileage, and obviously a trip straight to seward gives a better gas mileage than city… But I guesstimate my average increase by switching to mid-grade gasoline is about 20%.

Some people are not so keen on paying the extra for mid-grade, especially as gas prices rise… but keep this in mind. Think back when gas was say…. $2.10 for regular, and $2.20 for mid grade.

That price difference is 4.7% more expensive to get midgrade than regular. As gas prices rise, GENERALLY mid-grade is still only $.10 / gallon more expensive, so it’s changed from being 4.7% more expensive for mid grade (remember 20% better gas mileage?) down to only 2.3% more expensive.

So broken down, that means the more expensive gas gets, the more beneficial it is for you to move up to Mid-Grade gas, and of course it makes your vehicle run better as an added perk.

So do yourself a favor… don’t take off like a fiend from every red light/stop sign, cruise at 67 MPH on the highway not 73MPH… the difference will honestly be about 4 or 5 minutes on a trip to Anchorage, but help drastically with gas mileage to stay at 67 instead of 73, and

BUY MID-GRADE GASOLINE.

Then again I’m not a professional financial adviser, this is merely my opinion and experience playing out. Take it for what it’s worth.

*Extra Tip: Add a can of injector cleaner to your gas tank every 10,000 miles for better fuel efficiency.

Nick