Capstone Investments – April 8 2026
By Bryce Pease CFP® Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Casey Morris CFP® Capstone Pacific Investment Strategies, Inc. California, Colorado, Nebraska
Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, gas prices have risen sharply over the past few weeks. Nobody wants to pay more at the pump, and even if the fighting ends quickly, it may take a lot longer for gas prices to return to normal. (Economists often say that gas prices go up like a rocket when the price of oil rises but come back down like a feather even when the price of oil falls.) For that reason, it’s never a bad idea to explore ways to save.
To help, I’ve put together a few easy tips on how to increase your car’s fuel economy and pay less — or at least less often — at the pump.
THE GAS TANK
Making the right choice at the gas pump is an important first step to keeping your car running efficiently and economically.
Follow your owner’s manual recommendation for the right octane level for your car. For most cars, the recommended gas is regular octane. Using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit—and costs you more at the pump. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gas can be a waste of money.
Gas savings gadgets? Steer clear. Be skeptical about any gizmo that promises to improve your gas mileage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested over 100 supposed gas-saving devices—including “mixture enhancers” and fuel line magnets—and found that very few provided any fuel economy benefits. Those devices that did work provided only a slight improvement in gas mileage. In fact, some products may even damage your car’s engine or cause a substantial increase in exhaust emissions.
THE STEERING WHEEL
When it comes to stretching your gas budget, how you drive can be almost as important as how far you drive.
Stay within the posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Avoid unnecessary idling. It uses as much as a half gallon of fuel per hour.² Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait. Avoid jackrabbit starts and stops. You can improve in-town gas mileage by driving smoothly and gently. Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve fuel economy when you’re driving on the highway.
Casey and Bryce
www.capstonepacificinc.com
phone 402-207-5383
or 626-915-7006
¹ “Gas Saving Products: Fact or Fuelishness?” FTC, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-FT-PURL-LPS104499/pdf/GOVPUB-FT-PURL LPS104499.pdf
² “Fuel Economy,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fuel-economy
