TheState.com: Stretching Your Paycheck: Travel

Expert put brakes on myths for saving gas money

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Some things will stretch gas dollars; some won�t. Steve Mazor runs the Automobile Club of Southern California�s Automotive Research Center and put tips to the test to see whether they are myth or truth. A few major myths and a couple of tips:

MYTH: Oil companies run up prices to cash in on Sunday drivers so the best time to fill up is Wednesday. TRUTH: Just because that day is farthest from the weekend doesn�t mean drivers will save at the pump. �Really, prices are being dictated regionally so I don�t think that plays a role anymore,� Mazor said.

MYTH: Morning is the best time of day to pump gas because gas is denser when it is cooler. TRUTH: It is true that gas is denser when it�s colder, but double-walled underground gas tanks retain the temperature of the gas at the time it was pumped underground. To meet demand, tankers pump gas underground around the clock. �We sell gas so quickly that if it was hot when it went in, it will be hot when it comes out,� Mazor said. The difference may amount to �a few cents a tank.�

MYTH: A clean air filter makes a difference. TRUTH: A few cars had slightly better fuel economy when dirty air filters were replaced, but when cars were tested with blocked air filters, fuel economy �didn�t get worse, as we expected,� Mazor said. In fact, some cars slightly improved fuel economy with dirty air filters, but �you make your car a polluter for maybe 1 percent better fuel economy.�

MYTH: Gizmos or additives like acetone will save gallons. TRUTH: These products don�t help even a little bit, Mazor said. �We have tested many fuel additives and products . . . or devices that go on the battery cable, and none of them have ever shown any measurable fuel economy improvement,� Mazor said.

The hidden problems of driving on empty

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

High gas prices mean boom business for tow-truck drivers.

More drivers are finding themselves stranded on the side of the road without gas. The most common excuse the tow opera-tors hear is that customers thought they could make it to the next station. �It�s sad,� said Ronnie White, owner of a Youngsville, N.C., towing service, who has not seen it this bad in his 24 years in business. �They are trying to get to a station to pay 3 cents less (per gallon), and they end up paying me $50 for one gallon of gas.�

A lot of people are apparently driving on empty. AAA Carolinas, which has 1.6 million members, reported a 4 percent year-over-year increase in calls from S.C. members needing gas.

Damage control: For repeat of-fenders, the damage can be ex-pensive. Driving on low fuel can seriously damage your car.

Sediment � rust, dirt and other debris � collects at the bot-tom of the fuel tank. When you run low on gas, the sediment can clog up the fuel pump and dam-age the fuel injector and fuel filter, AAA Carolinas� Carol Gifford said. �It can be very expensive and very hard to fix,� she said.

How to save on your summer trip

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Trying for a late summer getaway despite soaring prices of gas and airline tickets

There are ways to get out of town without breaking the bank. We asked travel experts and dug through savvy sources to uncover ways to save, whether it's a grand tour of Europe or a road trip to Grandma's house.

HOTELS �Check rates with hotel Hotel-booking Web sites such as Hotels.com aren't always your best option. Sometimes you can get a better deal by going to the hotel's site or calling the hotel directly.

�Shun the 800 number Don't call a hotel's 800 number to make a reservation; you'll likely be directed to the national center. Call the hotel directly and ask for the manager on duty, who is motivated to fill rooms, and begin negotiating for a discount.

�Beware of special deals That "third night free" offer could be more expensive than a regular booking, for instance.

Before you buy, read the fine print about fees

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Travelers have to be more strategic to avoid some airline fees. Before you buy tickets, read the airlines' contracts of carriage so you know what kind of fees you may encounter. Read the section on baggage if you plan to check more than one piece, and look at the prices for changing tickets.

United recently began charging $25 for a second piece of checked luggage for coach-class customers on domestic flights. US Airways, Delta, Continental, Northwest and Air Canada have joined United in charging this fee. On most of these carriers, if you have elite frequent-flier status, you can avoid the charge.

These fees apply to luggage that meets normal size restrictions. If your bags are overweight or oversize, plan to pay more. On United, for example, if a bag exceeds 62 linear inches, you will be charged $100 extra per bag. If a bag weighs more than 50 pounds, you'll pay $100 per piece. If a bag is overweight and oversize, the fees will be combined. The carrier will not accept bags more than 115 linear inches and-or more than 100 pounds.

You'll also pay if you are checking bags beyond the second bag.

On US Airways, your third through ninth bags are $100 each for luggage weighing 50 pounds or less, $150 each for bags weighing 51-70 pounds and $200 each for bags weighing 71-100 pounds. On Delta's domestic flights, the airline charges $25 for the second bag, $80 each for bags three, four and five, $110 each for bags six, seven and eight, and $180 each for bags nine and 10.

Before you check bags, check your airline's baggage policy

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:10 EST

Before you take your next flight, check the baggage policy of your airline. Recent changes could cost you if you don't know the rules.

United has announced that it will begin charging $25 each way to check a second bag. The fee goes into effect May 5 and applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domes-tic economy tickets. The fee will not apply to elite Mileage Plus members, and because business travelers rarely check two bags, the policy will hit leisure travelers the hardest.

United is not the only airline making baggage-policy changes. Spirit has been charging $5 each way for checked bags and will increase the fee Wednesday. Passengers who re-serve checked luggage online will pay $10 each way per bag, and those who do not will be charged $20 per bag each way. Spirit describes the fee as environmentally friendly because the aircraft will be lighter and use less fuel if fewer bags are checked.

Southwest long had offered three free checked bags, but, in late January, it began charging for a third checked bag. People have complained about the fee, but at $25 each way it is what other carriers charge.

These days there are few blankets and pillows, and the magazine racks are empty, be-cause every bit of weight eats fuel.