Gas Prices!!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 652
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Originally Posted by Steina
No comments on my idea? Probably couldn't find politicians with the guts to give it a try anyway.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Churchville, MD
I agree with the "refinery" comments. It wasn't long ago that I heard on one of the news shows that the US refineries are operating at something like 98% capacity now. You also have these designer blends of gasoline for different markets. That adds to the price.
As an aside, if most vehicles in this country got 50 mpg your Government would have to make up the lost revenue by hiking the tax substantially.
We lose.
As an aside, if most vehicles in this country got 50 mpg your Government would have to make up the lost revenue by hiking the tax substantially.
We lose.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 0
From: TX
Originally Posted by mavinwy
And wezol5484, you ARE making your choice. You are working this summer to get a newer truck. My point is that you have the freedom to choose, but you may need to pay for your choice.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,174
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From: Near Wamego KS
Some of us need our trucks. I use mine as a truck for hunting and pulling a boat.
As an aside, if most vehicles in this country got 50 mpg your Government would have to make up the lost revenue by hiking the tax substantially.
Kind of like the huge tobacco settlement - the states where supposed to use the money on anti smoking expenditures - less then half of 1% is spent that way, the rest is propping up pork projects. The states have no interest is reduced smoking, its a giant revenue source. That and it saves money in the long run. A smoker discovers he has cancer at age 60 and his own insurance plan picks up the cost of treatment. About half the time he dies a year later. Had he not smoked he would have lived to the ripe old age of 85, the states would have been stuck with medicaid coverage for over 20 years.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Near Wamego KS
Product Gallons per barrel of sweet crude oil:
gasoline 19.5
distillate fuel oil 9.2
(Includes both home heating oil and diesel fuel)
kerosene-type jet fuel 4.1
residual fuel oil
(Heavy oils used as fuels in industry, marine transportation and for
electric power generation) 2.3
liquefied refinery gasses 1.9
still gas 1.9
coke 1.8
asphalt and road oil 1.3
petrochemical feedstocks 1.2
lubricants 0.5
kerosene 0.2
other 0.3
Figures are based on 1995 average yields for U.S. refineries. One barrel
contains 42 gallons of crude oil. The total volume of products made is 2.2
gallons greater than the original 42 gallons of crude oil. This
represents "processing gain."
Using that formula - the cost of producing a gallon of gas has gone up roughly $0.25 per gallon ($30 a barrel vs $40 a barrel) - but the selling price of gas has gone up roughly $0.60 per gallon. Somebody's making a little cash.
gasoline 19.5
distillate fuel oil 9.2
(Includes both home heating oil and diesel fuel)
kerosene-type jet fuel 4.1
residual fuel oil
(Heavy oils used as fuels in industry, marine transportation and for
electric power generation) 2.3
liquefied refinery gasses 1.9
still gas 1.9
coke 1.8
asphalt and road oil 1.3
petrochemical feedstocks 1.2
lubricants 0.5
kerosene 0.2
other 0.3
Figures are based on 1995 average yields for U.S. refineries. One barrel
contains 42 gallons of crude oil. The total volume of products made is 2.2
gallons greater than the original 42 gallons of crude oil. This
represents "processing gain."
Using that formula - the cost of producing a gallon of gas has gone up roughly $0.25 per gallon ($30 a barrel vs $40 a barrel) - but the selling price of gas has gone up roughly $0.60 per gallon. Somebody's making a little cash.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
If lack of refinery capacity is the problem, shouldn't there be long lines at the gas pumps? We have some of the highest prices here in SoCal, yet I don't have to wait whenever I go to fill 'er up.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 0
From: Near Wamego KS
Speculation on the spot market drives up the prices too.
Current refined fuel reserves are at a minimum - say 5 days at max. All it takes is a single disruption in the distribution pipe line and all Heck will break loose. Speculators are bidding up contracts that hedge against increases - supply and demand doesn't just occur at the pump. The Chicago Merc Exchange should be watched closer then the Dow.
Current refined fuel reserves are at a minimum - say 5 days at max. All it takes is a single disruption in the distribution pipe line and all Heck will break loose. Speculators are bidding up contracts that hedge against increases - supply and demand doesn't just occur at the pump. The Chicago Merc Exchange should be watched closer then the Dow.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Steina
If lack of refinery capacity is the problem, shouldn't there be long lines at the gas pumps? We have some of the highest prices here in SoCal, yet I don't have to wait whenever I go to fill 'er up.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Benrow77 -
Your cheese metaphor kinda makes my point; if there are no lines at the deli to buy the slices, how do you justify the high cost? Again, I see no "shortage" of gas. So, if the price of crude isn't causing the price spike, and it isn't being caused by lack of refinery capacity (no shortages), then what is? The oil companies are reporting record profits: if that isn't price-gouging, I don't know what is!
Your cheese metaphor kinda makes my point; if there are no lines at the deli to buy the slices, how do you justify the high cost? Again, I see no "shortage" of gas. So, if the price of crude isn't causing the price spike, and it isn't being caused by lack of refinery capacity (no shortages), then what is? The oil companies are reporting record profits: if that isn't price-gouging, I don't know what is!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
My 1970 F-100 with a 360, C6, and 3.73's gets 15mpg. It should get about the worst mileage of any vehicle, since it's an FE, but apparently it doesnt. Want to save money?
Tune 'em up and lean 'em out boys! Lets hurt those oil companies!
Here's some tips:
1. If it's computer controlled, make sure EVERY sensor, particularly the O2 sensor, is working correctly.
2. Keep your tires well inflated, usually 5psi more than is stated on the door sticker works great.
3. Make sure your breaks aren't dragging.
4. Run as much timing as you can without pinging.
5. Get the advance curve of your distributor dialed in correctly.
6. Run leaner jets in the carburetor, if it starts to ping go back up one size and call it good.
Edit: Almost forgot! The cam companies also make mild mileage cams, those might help too. Like 1000-4000rpm cams.
Tune 'em up and lean 'em out boys! Lets hurt those oil companies!
Here's some tips:
1. If it's computer controlled, make sure EVERY sensor, particularly the O2 sensor, is working correctly.
2. Keep your tires well inflated, usually 5psi more than is stated on the door sticker works great.
3. Make sure your breaks aren't dragging.
4. Run as much timing as you can without pinging.
5. Get the advance curve of your distributor dialed in correctly.
6. Run leaner jets in the carburetor, if it starts to ping go back up one size and call it good.
Edit: Almost forgot! The cam companies also make mild mileage cams, those might help too. Like 1000-4000rpm cams.
Last edited by rusty70f100; May 13, 2004 at 07:15 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Steina
If lack of refinery capacity is the problem, shouldn't there be long lines at the gas pumps? We have some of the highest prices here in SoCal, yet I don't have to wait whenever I go to fill 'er up.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Originally Posted by ga302p
You do not have to wait in line at the pumps, because the price of fuel is up to control demand. The price is controlling the demand. If Gas were .89 a gallon, you would be in long lines at the pump. Higher price, people use less. Simple lesson in supply side economics.