The second half of the month should see a fall in September gas prices due to the switch to less expensive winter-blend gasoline

The auto club says the switch to cheaper fuel is scheduled for Today. This Friday the average cost for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.41 across the United States. September gas prices are down 3 cents from last week where it was $3.44.

The average across the U.S. for gasoline declines during the weeks following Labor Day, which is due to the end of summer driving season. Today also marks the day when refineries transition to a winter-blend gasoline every year. Emission requirements in the summer that are in place to prevent pollution in warmer temperatures are not needed in the winter. Global politics, natural disasters and other events can cause instability in gas prices in the months ahead as well.

You would think September gas prices would increase due to the political unrest, particularly in Ukraine and Iraq. Fortunately these developments have not had much impact on the gallons of fuel being imported so the cost has not been effected. The growing U.S. fuel production and decreased global demand has reduced the worry about any disruptions in supply as the Middle East and Russia are going through turmoil. Crude oil settled at $92.27, down $1 from last week.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted inventories fell 970,000 barrels to 358.6 million barrels, gasoline stocks rose 2.4 million barrels to 212.4 million barrels and gasoline demand fell almost 900,000 bpd to 8.611 million bpd last week. This last April was when demand for fuel has been this low. However, the latest level is about even September gas prices a year ago, as is the current four-week average for gasoline demand.

The EIA projects that fuel prices will continue to decline through December about 20 cents per gallon lower. These are better prices than last years gas prices which averaged $3.51/gal. 2014 should average $3.46/gal this year and $3.41/gal in 2015, 4 cents lower and 6 cents lower than last month’s STEO, respectively.

You can increase the miles your car can travel in a single tank by taking care of your vehicle. Regular maintenance and Go15, a high performance engine treatment that increases your vehicles miles per gallon. GO15 smooths the metal surface in your engine, reducing friction will give you increased fuel economy and extends your engine life.

CURRENT AND PAST SEPTEMBER GAS PRICES

Regular Unleaded Gasoline (*indicates record high)

The dings and scratches on your car are sometimes unavoidable. People hit your car in the parking lot; they walk by and scratch it with their carts or their purses, and so many other things. But to keep your paint job looking as shiny and new as possible, it’s important to know what can damage your paint. After all, your car’s exterior has more enemies than just sharp objects, ex-significant others and stray shopping carts. Make sure you’re aware of the 10 common things that can cause damage to your automobile’s paint.

1. Road construction: Areas of road construction tend to have loose rocks and pebbles, wet tar and other pointy objects that aren’t secured. Avoid driving through construction zones if at all possible, as these “constructions bits” can scratch, stick to and all around damage the paint on your car.
2. Rain: yes rain. Rain pulls with it pollution from the air and this can make your car very dirty. Continuous rain can also cause parts of your car to rust, which will eat away at the paint. If you have a garage at home, make sure you use it.
3. Bug guts: Those splattered bugs on your car acidic. Wash them off right away to prevent damage; once those suckers harden they are next to impossible to scrub off.
4. Writing messages: writing messages or drawing funny pictures with your finger on a dirty car is an easy and humorous joke. Unfortunately, that dirty can have the consistency of sandpaper, and etch that image into your car’s paint permanently! Keep your car clean and keep the “dirt artists” away from your vehicle.
5. Silly string: Whatever this stuff is made of is potent, and bad for your vehicle. It’s not too hard to get it off when it’s wet, but when it dries and hardens it can peel back your paint when you try and scrape it off.
6. Coffee: coffee and its caffeinated friend soda, are both acidic drinks. If you spill this on your car’s exterior make sure you wipe it up right away.
7. Shaving cream: chances are you’re not shaving in your car, but this is another item that is commonly used to leave prank messages on cars. Shaving cream can permanently discolor your paint, and it should be washed off immediately.
8. Bird droppings: It’s common knowledge that birds always find the cleanest, shiniest cars to poop on. This just seems to be what they prefer! But besides being ugly and gross, these droppings are also acidic and no friend to your car’s paint.
9. Salt: We’re talking about the kind of salt used in the winter to de-ice roads and sidewalks. This stuff can be corrosive: so don’t let it stay stuck to your automobile’s exterior for weeks on end.
10. Sprinklers Systems: Automatic sprinkler systems can leave permanent water droplet spots on your vehicle’s paint. Direct sunlight will permanently burn these water sports onto your car, and there may be nothing you can do about it.

Cars are durable, and they’re meant to be driven, so there’s no doubt that your vehicle’s paint job will encounter some unavoidable dings and dents. But knowing these then common items that can cause even more harm to your car will help you at least stay away from avoidable damage!

Most people when looking to buy a new car stay within the same car company for a few reasons. Some do it for the family history, the experience the brand has, or even the marketing techniques that companies use. But here are 12 little known facts about some familiar cars.

Mercedes-Benz: This German brand traces its history to the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagon, considered to be the first automobile. If you think the Model T was the first automobile you probably misread history.

The Chevy Corvette: This sports car was named after a small, maneuverable ship and is actually the official state car of Kentucky. The Bluegrass states is the only state where the Corvette is produced.

The Honda Accord: This was the first automobile from a Japanese manufacturer to be built in the U.S. when it began rolling off the assembly line in Marysville, Ohio in 1982.

FIAT: This Italian automobile’s name comes from the words “Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino”. The first initials combine to spell what means in English, “Italian Automobile Factory of Turin”. Sounds a little faster than that doesn’t it?

Volkswagen: Original Volkswagens’ were produced at the urging of Adolf Hitler so Germany could make a “people’s car”. Prior to introduction in the 1930’s, German cars were mostly luxury models owned by the few.

The Chevy Camaro: The name was created by Chevy to coincide with its other “C” car branding names including Chevelle, Corvette and Corvair. It was designed to convey the merging of “camaraderie” and “go”

The DeLorean: this car made famous in the “Back to the Future” series, is actually constructed of fiberglass. Its fiberglass underbody has a thin stainless steel skin.

Jeep: the first Jeeps were made for war use in 1941. They began being made for the general public in 1945. Today they are the oldest off-road vehicles made.

Volvo: the Swedish carmaker traces its history to a ball-bearing manufacturing company. The name Volvo appropriately means… “I roll”.

The Ford Mustang: while Ford has used horses in its For Mustang logo, the idea for the name came from a World War II fighter plane called the P51 Mustang. John Ferzely, co-designer of the car suggested the name to the car company.

Pontiac: this General Motors brand name was named after an Ottawa Indian Chief. The cars were produced in the Detroit area until 1939. Ironically the Indian Chief was famous for his attack on Fort Detroit in 1763.

Prius: the name Prius in Latin means “before”. Toyota says the name was chosen “before” the environment became such a hot issue. But if it was before, how did they know?