Carseek.com Experts Say Gas to Hit $5 By Summer

San Jose, Ca (March 27, 2008) - With the coming of summer, American drivers find themselves spending more and more of their hard-earned dollars feeding their cars at the pump. Looking at reports from across the country, the writers and researchers at California-based Carseek.com are joining the host of automotive pundits predicting that gasoline will hit $5 a gallon in coming months. As a site long devoted to helping consumers pick the right car at the best new car prices including financing and insurance options, Carseek takes no pleasure in adding its voice to the growing consensus of industry analysts who say American drivers are about to experience their highest fuel costs in history.

“We like to be upbeat and optimistic around here. We love cars and everything about them,” said Wes Mayder, CEO and President of Carseek.com. “But the truth of the matter is that in localities with the highest prices and lowest wages, Americans are using about 13% of their paychecks on gas. In big cities with lots of public transportation the figure is about 2%, but across the board those numbers are going to go up.”

The weekend before the Easter holiday, drivers in California paid $3.63 on average, while motorists in states like Oregon and Washington were at $3.40. “Drivers are going to have to start getting savvy about when they fill up and where they look for gas,” said Mayder. “That’s the kind of information we’ve provided in the past and you can expect more of that kind of content in our articles section in the coming weeks.”

Mayder pointed to the numerous little tricks busy drivers might ignore, like the fact that gasoline from stations along major highways is usually more expensive as is fuel sold by auto repair shops and car washes. “Prices head up over the weekend,” said Mayder, “so drivers should try to fill up mid-week. Timing and looking for a lower price outside your regular route can make a big difference in how much you pay.”

In the Articles section of the Carseek site drivers can find pieces like “10 Ways to Save Money on Gasoline and Increase Fuel Economy” as well as “Hybrid vs. Gas - Comparison of Costs and Benefits.” Additional information covers emerging technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and even electrics powered with lithium-ion batteries.

Auto reviews at Carseek.com are posted according to manufacturer with daily news briefs appearing in the site’s right-hand column. Tools like “Finance” and “Insure” can be found on the top menu bar along with access to the site’s comprehensive library under “Articles” with the "news" section updated daily. The editors invite your questions, comments, and ideas. Send email to: editor@carseek.com.