Gas prices are already pushing $4 a gallon across Central Florida, and the intense summer heat is making every drop count even more.
For drivers already stretching their budgets, the combination of high prices and reduced fuel efficiency is creating a painful reality at the pump.
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“Oh, my God. Where can I start? They are too high, and the income is too low. Honestly, I spend about $300 a month just on gas,” Estel Lopez, a Central Florida driver, told News 6.
Some drivers say they’ve had no choice but to rethink their daily routines.
“My mom has a smaller car, so she’s doing most of the pickups for me because it’s less gas,” Lopez added. “Instead of like, I used to go to work in the morning and on my break, go back home. Now, I don’t do that because I can’t. It’s a lot of money.”
Elvis Diaz, another Central Florida driver, put it simply.
“They’re a little too high. Very high,” Diaz said.
Traditionally, warm weather can actually improve fuel economy; engines heat up faster and run more efficiently. But extreme heat changes the equation.
Keeping the air conditioning running is a non-negotiable for most Central Florida drivers during the brutal summer months, even though it comes at a cost. Reports find that running the AC in extremely hot weather can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 25%.
“No way. I can’t not have the AC,” Lopez said.
Diaz, however, believes proper vehicle maintenance is one of the most effective ways to protect fuel efficiency, regardless of the weather.
“I don’t think it affects the vehicle as much as the maintenance does. Like inflating the tires and using the proper fuels and so forth,” he said.
Summer also brings another cost factor: gas stations switch to a pricier “summer blend” of gasoline, which burns cleaner but costs more to produce. That blend remains in effect until mid-September.
The U.S. Department of Energy offers several recommendations for drivers looking to get the most out of their fuel this summer:
- Roll the windows down at lower speeds; use the AC at highway speeds.
- Avoid setting the AC temperature lower than needed or running it more than necessary.
- Park in the shade or use a sunshade to keep the cabin cooler before getting in.
- Before turning on the AC, drive with the windows open briefly to let hot air escape — this reduces demand on the system and helps the vehicle cool faster.
- Don’t idle with the AC running before driving. Most AC systems cool more efficiently while the vehicle is moving.
- Review your owner’s manual to understand how your specific AC system works and how to maintain it.
- For plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle drivers, pre-cooling the cabin while still plugged into a charger can help extend range. Using a warmer AC temperature setting will also conserve battery power.