How about we all drive Vespas?

In Business

By Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Friday, April 04, 2008, 5:52 PM)

Even the people who answer the phones at the gas stations we call every Wednesday are displeased by the amount they are charging for a gallon of unleaded regular. One fellow, laughing, said he has a stack of loan applications next to the pump.

There are ways to get better mileage from your vehicle, but there's really nothing most of us can do about how expensive fuel has become -- nor can anyone without an advanced degree in petroleum economics (if there is such a thing) understand how prices are set up.

Here are our gas prices with last week's in parentheses:

Bass Lake Shell, $3.79 ($3.69); Oakhurst Valero, $3.55 ($3.49); Oakhurst Chevron, $3.72 ($3.65); Coarsegold Kwik Serv, $3.59 (no answer last week); Coarsegold Shell, $3.69 ($3.59); Bootjack Market, $3.69 ($3.69); Pioneer Texaco in Mariposa $3.69 ($3.59); AMPM Arco near Avenue 12, $3.47 ($3.42).

Oh, well. As the Star has said so many times before, they can charge what they want to and we can either walk or pay the price. As someone who comes in from Mariposa every day for work, I'd rather drive.

The best you can do is go smaller -- much smaller -- and get a motor scooter (from Mariposa to Oakhurst might take almost as long as walking, what with all those hills) or be sure your car is running at tip-top condition and you're getting the best prices you can.

Here are some tips from AAA of Northern California on saving gas money:

Don't go to the same old station out of habit, shop around for the best price.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires can be costing you 2 percent of your mileage.

Slow down. Driving fast and taking off fast from stops uses more gas than easy, steady driving.

Clean out the trunk or bed. The more stuff you carry around in your car or pickup, the more drag there is on the engine.

Inside story

Internist Stephen Lee has joined the medical staff of John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa. He sees patients at medical clinics and oversees care of hospitalized patients.

Lee earned his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa. and is board certified in internal medicine.