Consumers, Commuters Sick About Rising Gas Prices

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles residents can debate anything --  the weather, the presidential election, if the Dodgers should have made the playoffs.

But there is one thing everyone seems to be in agreement about: rising gas prices.

And in a word, LA residents hate what is happening at the pump.

The cost of gas rose 19 cents overnight ... and experts believe the rising will continue.

How high is too high? A lot of consumers, and commuters, believe they have reached the breaking point.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporters Carter Evans and Amanda Burden talked to disgruntled consumers and commuters Friday. She also talked to some experts on how to save.

Evans spoke to Karina Hernandez who needed a push to get to the pump. She spends, on average, $100 a week on gas.

And for the time being, she can't believe how much she's spending and how less far she's going.  "I do sales for a living so I get up and take appointments, I have to have my car."

Genoush Tunian has also had enough. "I think $5 is really the limit. And $5.50 is a little too much."

Alison apRoberts (cq), of the California Energy Commission, says while refinery problems have caused a slowdown in deliveries to gas stations around the state, don't call this a shortage.  "As of right now there is ample supply to meet demand," she says, adding, "We do think this is short term and it should be resolved soon."

Not soon enough for some. Evans, leaving on the 5:50 p.m. to Lancaster, spoke with commuter Kelly Gibbs who said with current gas prices, she would be spending close to $800 a month to go from Palmdale to Redondo Beach.

So for now, it's the train. "Even when it was $3 a gallon [it was too high] so I've been doing this for about a year-and-a-half now."

Burden talked to fed up consumers. "This really hurts," said one. "This is so ridiculous," said another.

She also spoke to Nurit Katz, UCLA's chief sustainability officer, for great ideas on how to save at the pump.

• Keep your tires fully inflated: "There are little things you can do. Like keeping the tires filled and not carrying extra weight around in the car," says Katz.

• Close windows while driving: "You reduce drag."

• Lighten up on the gas peddle: "Lighten up on the gas peddle and break gently."

• Don't rev your engine: "There are little, small ways to save gas. It's not a lot, but it adds up."

According to gaspricewatch.com, the best times to fill up are early mornings and evenings when gas is densest. The best day to buy? Wednesday.

Burden also says to avoid filling up near freeway off-ramps where prices tend to be higher (who knew!?) She also recommends accelerating before you hit a hill and not while on it. Also, another great tip: don't fill your tank to the very top, as fuel may splash out.

For the cheapest gas near you, click here for up-to-the-minute prices.

Costco has announced that they are not selling gas at several locations until further notice. For the locations not selling fuel, click here.