New excuses given for high gasoline prices

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GALLUP — New Mexico residents have probably seen the last of gasoline prices under $3 per gallon, at least for the foreseeable future, said Jeannie Chavez, spokeswoman for AAA New Mexico.

Gasoline prices statewide have hit all-time highs, she said.

The reasons for this are complicated and are not directly tied to the price of oil from the Middle East, she said.

"We do not have enough refinery capacity to meet the demand," she said.

Even if the refineries that exist were operating at 98 percent capacity, there would not be enough refined gasoline to meet the demand of American motorists, especially since the summer driving season is upon us, she said.

In addition to that, the refineries are doing maintenance and converting to summer gasoline blends from winter blends, she said, so capacity is even further down.

Higher New Mexico prices
AAA forecasts gasoline prices for Memorial Day are going higher for New Mexico, which, for some unknown reason, always has higher gas prices than the national average, she said.

AAA is projecting that 38.3 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home this Memorial Day, a 1.7 percent increase from last year. And, this is despite high gas prices.

Chavez said traveling on Memorial Day, gas prices nationwide will average $3.114 for regular unleaded self-serve, up 24.8 cents from a year ago.

New Mexico's average gas prices are $3.271, a new record high, up 38.2 cents from a year ago.

In Gallup, gas is averaging $3.321, up from $2.930 a month ago and up from $2.975 a year ago.

As of Friday, gas prices for selected cities, with this week's price compared to a week ago in New Mexico were:

• Albuquerque: $3.271, $3.118
  
• Las Cruces: $3.294, $3.110
• Santa Fe: $$3.321, $3.200
  

Other cities:

• Denver, Colo.: $3.236, $3.138
  
• Durango, Colo.: $3.328, $3.208
  
• Flagstaff, Ariz.: $3.211, $3.225
  
• Amarillo, Texas: $3.217, $ 3.101
  
• El Paso, Texas, $ 3.203, $3.016
  
• Las Vegas, Nev.: $3.186, $3.171

AAA offers gas saving tips
With prices looming even higher, vehicle owners should do some things to make their vehicles run smoother, better and get better gas mileage. And, most of these things cost little or no money.

The most costly will be a tune-up. Replacing the fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs and PVC valve, if necessary, will help get better gas mileage. Costs will vary on what kind of vehicle and where the tune-up is done.

Shopping around for prices on car work is a good idea and can save you money, she said.

Chavez has said it in previous stories in the Independent and she is repeating it here: Tires.

"For every one pound of air pressure your tires are under-inflated or over-inflated, you will lose 1 percent of gas mileage," she said.

Under-inflated is more common than over-inflated. If your tires are 10 pounds under-inflated, as many are because of consistently hitting potholes in the roads, your gas mileage will suffer a 10 percent loss.

Use air conditioning sparingly.

A poorly fitting gas cap can cause evaporation of gas.

Clean your car out the more you carry in your car, the less gas mileage you get.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin, call (505) 287-2197 or fax: (505) 287-2581.