Gas Prices dropping as summer winds down

JACKSONVILLE, Fla – As summer winds down the price of gas is going down.

In it's monthly gas report AAA says it expects gas prices to fall an additional 10 to 20 cents a gallon by the end of October.

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Not only that, but the group is finding that your vehicle may get better fuel mileage than you realize.

AAA found that four out of five drivers report better gas mileage than EPA estimates. It has a lot to do with how you drive, and a few tips can make sure your mileage is even better.

As for gas prices, the average price in Florida is $3.34, down about two cents from this time last week, something drivers are happy about.

"I've been seeing the diesel drop quite a bit it was up over $4 a gallon now were down to $3 and something now," Robert Dykes said.

Robert Dykes says he drives about 300 miles a week in his diesel truck so seeing the price of gas go down is a relief. And it turns out Dykes and other drivers may be getting better gas mileage than they thought.

"First off, the EPA studies that gives you the gas mileage is not always correct," AAA spokesman Bill Bishop said.

"Those mileage quotes are done in a controlled environment it's on a machine it's not out on the highway so that's why some of the mileage is different."

AAA group did a study and found 81 percent of drivers reported higher gas mileage than EPA estimates, while only 16 percent reported lower fuel economy than EPA ratings.

Bishop says it's easy to find out your cars true gas mileage, first log your odometer reading.

"Each time you get gas write down the gallons that it takes to fill up the car and then the last fill up look at that odometer meeting get the difference and divide by the number of gallons," Bishop said.

Bishop says the type of vehicle you drive and driving habits go a long way when it comes to increasing fuel efficiency as well; maintain a steady speed, get junk out of the trunk, avoid excess idling, and be sure your tires are properly inflated.

"I tend to do jackrabbit starts and hard breaking and that gets poor mileage. But if you take off gently and even coast when you're coming to a stop use the brakes as little as possible you will get better mileage," Bishop says.

Bishop says it's generally accepted that with an extra 100 pounds in your car you lose one mile per gallon. If you want to learn more about your car you can check out http://www.fueleconomy.gov