Alternative Ways to Save Money on Gasoline

Tennessee Valley drivers are turning in their SUV keys in favor of Hybrids. So many in fact Capital Toyota's supply can't keep up with the demand. Even with a down-payment today you'll have to be patient for your new Prius.

Taft Butcher is the general manager of Capital Toyota in Chattanooga.  He says, "It's probably going to be after the first of the year and its probably going to be a 2009. That's how popular they are,"

Toyota officials say the backup is because they just can't make enough batteries to keep up.  "The transaxles in the batteries," explains Butcher.  "They have a hard time keeping up with production because the car is in such demand."

But even if you're lucky enough to have a hybrid or another car that's good on gas mileage, there seems to be no way to avoid the pain at the pump.

Andre Richardson filled up a five gallon tank for his lawn mower Monday morning.  "I come probably once every two weeks just to get gas for my lawn-mower. I pay probably $20 a week just for a push-mower and its gone up ridiculously."

Keep in mind the price at the pump is not for 100% gasoline. Many stations' products include ethanol.

Mechanic and owner of Hyde's Automotive Alan Hyde doesn't think that's a problem, though.  "Its raising the price of corn I guess, but other than that I don't see any effect on today's later model cars," he says.

Most gas stations now use a mix of gasoline and generally 10% corn-based ethanol. A study by the Consumer Federation of America says using the ethanol additive saves consumers money. But ethanol enriched gasoline can harm cars built in the 70s.  "You're seeing it in a lot of the old vehicles with a carburetor," adds Hyde.

He says he doesn't see many of those old cars anymore. Many Chattanoogans are changing to more compact cars since that seems to be the best way to save some green at the gas station.