Gas prices in McHenry, as with gas prices across the country, have spiked over the course of the last year. And higher gas prices are a leading cause for the increases in prices for almost everything else. It’s called inflation but you can fight back – tune up your car, truck or SUV to save.

In January of 2021, the price of gasoline in the Chicago area was approximately $2.60. It is now around $3.75. That’s a more than 44-percent increase at the pump. In other words, the cost of driving has gone up substantially and may continue to rise.

How much the increased cost of gasoline affects you depends on how much you drive and how efficiently you drive. If you’ve got a heavy foot and are prone to jackrabbit starts, you’re probably using more gasoline than you have to. But, if you drive economically, you have a chance to increase the miles per gallon that your car, truck or SUV can regularly achieve.

You can also improve the gas mileage of your car, truck or SUV by keeping your tires properly inflated. Tires that are low on air not only wear poorly, but they don’t roll as efficiently; your mpg is liable to suffer.

The other thing you can do is to make sure that your car, truck or SUV engine is operating at peak performance. An engine that isn’t quite running at its best isn’t likely to achieve the same mpg as a vehicle that is.

If your vehicle hasn’t had a tune up in a while, this might be a good time. While you’re at it, have the oil changed on schedule. Change the filters – fuel and gas. Have the wheels aligned and the front end and suspension checked. All of these are factors that can contribute to better or worse gas mileage. 

Who knows when, or if, gasoline prices will come down again? There isn’t much you can do about the cost of milk, meat, bread or produce at the grocery store. But you might have a chance to do something about how much gasoline you use. Drive smart, and make sure your car, truck or SUV is in tip-top condition and the prices listed in front of McHenry gas stations won’t hurt quite as much.