Tips from Angie

Gas spike leaves service companies scrambling.

Now that paying more than $3 per gallon has become commonplace, service companies are being forced to make tough choices. Caught by questions of whether to eat the rising fuel costs, pass them along to their customers or invest in energy saving methods, companies often feel they're at the mercy of the pump.

According to an exclusive Angie's List poll of service companies across the country:

85% have been affected by the increase in gas prices.
55% are limiting areas of town serviced and combing routes to save gas.
60% are passing along the increases in the form of higher prices.
43% say their customers understand the increased prices; 9% say they're angry.
43% expect these changes to be long term.

Larger operations may have room in their budgets to account for the increased expenses, but the price spike can be crippling for smaller businesses.

Cutting office expenses, overtime and lunches out were the most common reactions to the price increase. Here are a few more ways to make your mileage go a little farther.

Drive Sensibly - Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration) can lower gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% in town.
Observe the Speed Limit - As a rule of thumb, every 5 mph over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon.
Regular Maintenance - Keeping the engine tuned-up, tires inflated and using the proper motor oil can improve gas mileage by up to 9%. Replacing a clogged air filter alone can improve a vehicle's gas mileage by as much as 10%.
Route Calls by Area - Minimize travel time and mileage by trying to schedule service calls by location rather than first available. If you have service calls in the same area, see if you can coordinate with those customers.
Buy Greener Vehicles - Selecting which vehicle to purchase is the most important fuel economy decision you can make. The difference between a 20 mpg and 30 mpg vehicle amounts to $744 per year.