Is the Peak Price for Gas In the Rearview Mirror?

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The national average for a gallon of gas hit what may be 2023’s peak price of $3.88 earlier this week, only to slide a few cents in the following days. Today’s average is $3.86 – a penny more than a week ago.

“The recent drop in the national average, while small, is typical this time of year as much of the country makes the switch to less expensive winter blend gasoline,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “But the gradual seasonal decline in prices is being slowed by higher oil costs.”

With diesel fuel prices still being higher than they were in recent years, fuel economy is vital. While there’s not much the average person can do to affect fuel prices at the pump, there ARE things you can do to improve fuel efficiency. Here are 5 ways to increase fuel economy on a diesel pickup. Put them to use, and you’ll enjoy better engine performance and money savings at the pump!

Alternator Replacements | Accurate Automotive

By Accurate Automotive in Mesa, AZ


How do you know if you have engine belt issues?

Is your vehicle making unusual squeaking noises while you’re driving?

More often than not, drivers know when their belts require attention because their vehicle makes an unusual squeaking noise when driven. These noises can sound like chirping or squeaking noises. These noises should always be addressed and you should give us a call at (480) 890-0409 so we can diagnose your vehicle and ensure your issue is in fact a belt issue. If it is our ASE Certified technicians will offer you repair or replacement recommendations and we will move forward with your approved repairs. As always we are happy to give you a ride within 20 miles of our shop by downtown Mesa, Arizona.

LOS ALTOS, Calif. - Toyota Research Institute (TRI) today unveiled a generative artificial intelligence (AI) technique to amplify vehicle designers. Currently, designers can leverage publicly available text-to-image generative AI tools as an early step in their creative process. With TRI's new technique, designers can add initial design sketches and engineering constraints into this process, cutting down the iterations needed to reconcile design and engineering considerations.

American Driving Survey

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 dramatically changed many aspects of Americans’ daily lives, including travel behavior. As the United States continues to recover, some patterns of daily life that were disrupted by the pandemic are returning to previous trends. However, some shifts in lifestyles remain, and some new practices are emerging.

This Research Brief provides highlights from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s 2022 American Driving Survey, which quantifies the daily driving of the U.S. population in 2022 and compares results to 2021 and 2020.

Key Findings

94.5% of U.S. residents ages 16 years and older drove at least occasionally in 2022, unchanged from 2021 and 2020.

Alternator Replacements | Accurate Automotive

By Accurate Automotive in Mesa, AZ


Many Mesa drivers have probably noticed a bunch of warning lights on their dash when they start their engine. They flash on to test the circuits and then go off if everything’s OK. One of the warning lights looks like a car battery. Its job is to tell you if your vehicle battery’s not charging properly.
Mesa motorists probably know that their battery stores electricity – enough to start the engine and get moving. But that’s about it – you can only get a few miles or kilometers on battery power alone. You need an alternator to generate enough electricity to run your vehicle engine and power your electrical accessories like the stereo, power seats, heater fan, on-board computers and so on. On top of that, the alternator needs to recharge your battery. So when your vehicle alternator isn’t working, there isn’t enough electricity for all of those things. When your alternator fails, you aren’t going very far.

Annual New Car Ownership Costs Boil Over $12K

ORLANDO, FL - AAA’s Your Driving Costs (YDC) has been a reliable data source for the expenses associated with owning and operating a brand-new vehicle for more than seven decades. Based on the latest figures, the average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2023 has increased significantly, with an annual expense of $12,182 or a monthly cost of $1,015. This is a sharp increase from 2022 when the average yearly cost was only $10,728, or $894 monthly.

“It’s important for car buyers to clearly understand the costs associated with owning a new vehicle,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive research. “Due to global supply chain issues and constrained inventory of new vehicles, car prices rose dramatically in 2022. And while the situation continues to improve, the spillover effects are keeping prices high.”

The overall average manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the new vehicles in the 2023 YDC study is $34,876. This is $1,575 (4.7%) higher than last year. It is important to note that MSRP does not always correspond to a consumer’s actual purchase price and may vary depending on demand. Furthermore, a higher sticker price directly impacts finance costs, with this year’s vehicles boasting an average annual finance charge of $1,253, a staggering 90% increase from the previous year.

Fifteen Events Are Planned for the Goodguys 2024 Event Season

Fifteen events are planned for the Goodguys 2024 Event Season including a new northeast event at Dover Motor Speedway and an exciting new partnership and dates for the 14th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals!

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the world’s largest hot-rodding association, has announced their 2024 Season Event Schedule. Goodguys will produce 15 events across the country in 2024 bringing America’s Favorite Car Show back to many of the same premium venues and markets as 2023. Additionally, Goodguys will add a new event in the northeast and make a date change and collaboration announcement for the 14th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC to expand the hot-rodding experience for participants and spectators.

Make your plans to head on out to the "Valley of the Sun" and join us for our season ending event in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ! It's gonna be wild!


26th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals | November 17-19, 2023 | WestWorld of Scottsdale

THE SOUTHWEST GRANDE FINALE

November 18-20, 2023

WestWorld of Scottsdale
16601 N Pima Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Friday, November 18 - 8:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday, November 19 - 8:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday, November 20 - 8:00am to 3:00pm



Lee Weatherby’s 1-2-3-4 of Vehicles | Accurate Automotive

By Accurate Automotive in Mesa, AZ


How do you know if you have engine belt issues?

Is your vehicle making unusual squeaking noises while you’re driving?

More often than not, drivers know when their belts require attention because their vehicle makes an unusual squeaking noise when driven. These noises can sound like chirping or squeaking noises. These noises should always be addressed and you should give us a call at (480) 890-0409 so we can diagnose your vehicle and ensure your issue is in fact a belt issue. If it is our ASE Certified technicians will offer you repair or replacement recommendations and we will move forward with your approved repairs. As always we are happy to give you a ride within 20 miles of our shop by downtown Mesa, Arizona.

Gas Prices Nudge Down, But Further Relief Could Face Turbulence

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national average for a gallon of gas dropped four cents since last week, despite growing gas demand. However, the price of oil has declined several dollars per barrel and is holding steady below $80, contributing to lower pump prices. As Labor Day approaches, gas demand and volatile oil prices, particularly during an active hurricane season, could limit how much lower prices descend in the weeks ahead.

“Although the national average did a U-turn this week, the road ahead could lead to higher prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Ongoing concerns regarding potential storm activity could hinder falling pump prices this fall.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand jumped from 8.85 to 8.91 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased slightly from 216.2 to 217.6 million bbl. Although demand increased, growing stock levels contributed to pushing prices lower.

Lee Weatherby’s 1-2-3-4 of Vehicles | Accurate Automotive

By Accurate Automotive in Mesa, AZ


We understand that cars can seem complicated to many people. Therefore at Accurate Automotive, we do our best to simplify your vehicle for you.

When you bring your vehicle into our full-service auto shop in Mesa, Arizona we will do an inspection on your vehicle. At Accurate Automotive we look for four primary things.

1. Safety – Anything that is safety-related with your vehicle we want to address that. We want you to address that so we make sure you have all of the information you need to know. This information includes what is wrong with your car, truck, or van, and what safety implications come with that. If you come in and we find out your vehicle has a safety-related issue we will ask you to take care of it. This will protect you and those you love and care for and everyone else you share the road with.

Put the Brakes on Car Surging and Sudden Deceleration | Virginia Auto Service

Car surging and sudden deceleration are two issues that can send shivers down the spine of any driver. These phenomena can create dangerous situations on the road and leave you feeling helpless behind the wheel. Fortunately, understanding the root causes of these issues and seeking timely auto transmission repair services can save you from potentially disastrous outcomes. This article delves into the causes of car surging and sudden deceleration and discusses how professional auto transmission repair services can provide a solution.

Whether you’re an experienced driver or a novice on the road, there’s no denying that unexpected shifts in your car’s performance can be unnerving. Car surging and sudden deceleration is often the result of underlying issues with your vehicle’s transmission system. By understanding these issues and addressing them proactively, you can maintain a smooth driving experience and ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road.

What a Difference a Year Makes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2023) —The start of summer is nearly here, and drivers are finding prices far lower than last year. Lackluster demand and low oil costs are keeping gas prices relatively stable. The national average for a gallon of gas rose two cents since last week to $3.58, that’s $1.43 less than a year ago.

“We may be in a bit of a demand lull heading into the July Fourth holiday,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Drivers are benefitting financially, with 20 gallons of gas costing nearly $30 less than last year. And with the cost for oil low, drivers will find pump prices that are flat or drifting slightly lower for now.”

Proper Child Restraints in Vehicles Can Save Lives! | Good Works Auto Repair

Did you know that around 43% of children that die from car accidents do so because they weren’t properly restrained? Sometimes, the only good thing that comes from a very unfortunate situation is the possibility that the story will help prevent it from happening to someone else. That’s exactly why we’re sharing with you today the top reasons why proper child restraints in vehicles are so important.

In 2022, a child died in Virginia after being run over by the vehicle she was seated in – unrestrained. When the door was opened by another passenger, the young child fell out of the vehicle. According to the news reports, the police said the driver “immediately got out of the vehicle while the SUV’s transmission was still in drive, causing it to roll over the child.” This is an unfortunate situation that could have clearly been prevented from the start.

42.3 Million Americans Expected to Travel for Memorial Day Weekend

WASHINGTON, DC (May 15, 2023) - AAA projects 42.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Memorial Day weekend*, a 7% increase over 2022. This year, 2.7 million more people will travel for the unofficial start of summer compared to last year, a sign of what’s to come in the months ahead.

“This is expected to be the third busiest Memorial Day weekend since 2000, when AAA started tracking holiday travel,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “More Americans are planning trips and booking them earlier, despite inflation. This summer travel season could be one for the record books, especially at airports.”

Common Power Steering Repair Problems | Virginia Auto Service

Power steering offers a level of convenience that revolutionizes the driving experience. It uses fluid pressure to make turning your vehicle easier, so you no longer have to struggle with unyielding mechanisms when navigating bends and turns in the road.

The ability to navigate around curves and corners with ease is a major perk of modern driving. However, when your car’s power steering system starts failing or needs fluid replacement, driving becomes more difficult than usual — thankfully there are several common problems that could be the cause! If you notice any of these problems, you should start looking for power steering repairs near you.

Pump Prices Rise Slightly, But Still Lower Than a Month Ago

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 2, 2023) — Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by a penny to $3.37, which is still two cents less than a week ago. One reason could be an increase in demand, as the cost of oil has barely budged for the past few weeks. 

“Another reason is that the seasonal switch to summer blend gasoline is underway, which may account for this bounce in pump prices,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, “This blend is designed to lower emissions during the summer and is more expensive to refine. Switching to summer blend usually adds about five to ten cents to the price of gasoline.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand jumped from 8.91 million to 9.11 million b/d last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by nearly 1 million bbl to 239.2 million bbl last week. The increase in gas demand, amid tighter supplies, has contributed to rising pump prices. If demand continues to grow, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices increase.

Today’s national average of $3.37 is 12 cents less than a month ago and 28 cents less than a year ago.