Q: How does the shape of a car impact fuel economy?

A: During early design phases, engineers use computer simulation software and wind tunnels to design a vehicle's shape so it easily cuts through the air while driving. The lower the resistance the air puts on a vehicle, the lower the drag. When drag is low, an increase in fuel economy is noticed. Drag is a force that opposes forward motion. Drag is much more applicable at high speeds than at slow speeds. Among other factors (such as vehicle size, weight, and engine design), aerodynamic styling can significantly influence the fuel economy of a vehicle. To maintain the aerodynamic efficiency of your vehicle, do not add unnecessary accessories or modify the vehicle in a way that impacts the way the air flows around the vehicle.

Q: Is it cost effective to be enrolled in an auto club?

A: Auto clubs, such as AAA (www.aaa.com), can provide piece of mind if you drive an older car or do lots of traveling. Most clubs cover tows (up to a certain distance), jump starts, lockout services, and recoveries (e.g., being pulled from a ditch). However, memberships commonly cost between $50-100 a year depending on the extent of the services. Some auto clubs also provide free maps and discounts on travel related services (e.g., hotels and rental cars). Another alternative is to check with your automotive insurance company. You can often add emergency roadside service to your policy for minimal cost.

Q: According to the news reports, crude oil prices per barrel are at record highs. How many gallons of gasoline does a barrel of crude oil make?

A: A barrel is equal to 42 gallons of crude oil. Crude oil goes through a distillation process at a refinery to make gasoline and other products. According to the American Petroleum Institute, one barrel of crude oil can make about 19.4 gallons of gasoline, 9.7 gallons of fuel oil, and smaller quantities of other products.

Q: My son will be turning 16 soon. What types of cars will be the most economical to insure for him and what can I do to lower the rates?

A: As you have found out, insuring a teenager is expensive. Some cars are less than others to insure for your teenage driver. In general, sports cars and sport-utility vehicles are the most expensive to insure for young drivers. Look for cars that have anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices. To find safety ratings on specific cars, go to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s website at www.iihs.org. While shopping around for insurance, ask the insurer about good grade discounts. Students on the honor roll can often get a 10% -25% discount. Educate your child about the importance of keeping their driving record free of tickets and accidents. Check with your insurance company if additional discounts are available for teenagers that take accredited driver education safety courses.

Q: Should I pay for the insurance add-on when I rent a car?

A: If you have an automotive insurance policy that includes third party liability, collision, and comprehensive it may cover the insurance on rental cars. It is best to contact your insurance agent to clarify whether or not you need to purchase additional coverage when renting a car. Call your credit card company too. Some credit card companies offer car insurance if you charge the rental car on your card. Also check your insurance policy if it covers the cost of the rental car. If your vehicle is being repaired and is being covered by your collision or comprehensive insurance, you may have a car rental endorsement that pays that expense. If you do not hold a car insurance policy, you should pay the extra for the rental insurance. This will cover you from lawsuits and property damage if you get in an accident during the rental period.

Q: Gas prices are over $2.00 a gallon where I live. What do people pay for gasoline around the world?

A: Even at these seemingly high prices, U.S. residents pay much less for gasoline than some in other places. For example, residents in the UK, Germany, and Hong Kong pay over $5.00 a gallon. In the U.S., 25-40% of the cost of gas is attributed to state and federal taxes. In Europe, about 75% of the cost of gasoline is tax. Venezuela commonly has the lowest gas prices at less than $0.25 a gallon. This low price is due to government control and regulation.

Q: With the national average gas price at $1.84 a gallon, what are some ways I can get better fuel mileage on my vehicle without making drastic changes in my lifestyle?

A: Performing periodic maintenance is extremely important in attaining the best fuel economy. Some of the most important ways to increase fuel economy include inflating tires to the correct pressure, installing a clean air filter, and performing required tune-ups.

Q: What do the numbers 100/300/50 mean on my insurance policy?

A: These numbers indicate the amount of money the insurance company will pay out if you are at fault in an accident. The first number (100) indicates that this policy would have $100,000 bodily injury coverage per person. The second number (300) indicates that the policy would have a limit of $300,000 bodily injury per accident. The last number (50) sets the property damage limit at $50,000.

Q: How do I calculate the fuel efficiency of my car?

A: To calculate how many miles per gallon (MPG) your car is achieving divide the number of miles traveled by the number of gallons used. For example, if you traveled 300 miles and used 15 gallons of gasoline, your car got 20 MPG.

Q: What is tire road hazard insurance and how much does it cost?

A: Tire road hazard insurance can be purchased from your tire dealer when you purchase new tires. Some tire dealers and manufacturers include this in the cost of the tire, while others may charge around $10.00 per tire for the insurance. This covers the cost to replace the tire if it is damaged beyond repair. Road hazard warranty coverage is only valid if the tire has more than 2/32 of an inch of tread. In addition to the minimum amount of tread, some tire manufacturers have time limits like 3 or 5 years. Tires used on commercial vehicles are also not commonly covered. To fully understand what is covered, be sure to read the fine print.

Q: Does running the air conditioner make a car use more fuel? If so, would it be better to drive with the windows down when it is hot outside?

A: Running the air conditioner (AC) puts more of a load on the engine, resulting in higher fuel consumption. However, if you are running at highway speeds the AC actually consumes less fuel than if you drive with your windows down. When the windows are rolled down the aerodynamics of the car is less efficient, resulting in more drag. An increase in drag increases fuel consumption. Running the AC is more efficient than driving with the windows down at highway speeds.