Tire Pressure: If you are on a long trip, check the tire pressure regularly if you are traveling though temperature changes; moving from cold to hot will increase your pressure, while moving from hot to cold will decrease.

For example, if I start in wintery Iowa and begin a road trip to Arizona, my tire pressure will increase as I head southwest because of the temperature change. Since it is best to check pressure before moving my car, each morning before hitting the road, I will check/adjust my tire pressure.

It should be noted that the gas price website does not give quantitative octane levels but uses qualitative terms. This will give you inaccurate gas prices because the “premium” in one state may differ from “premium” in another.

For example, the lowest octane number in Iowa is 87 for “regular” unleaded, 89 octane for “plus”, and 91 octane for “premium”. In a western mountain states like Utah, “regular” starts at 85 octane, then jumps to 88 or 89 octane for “premium”, and then 91 octane may be called “super premium”.

According to the gas price website “regular” is cheaper in Utah when compared to Iowa, which is true, but the fuel is also at a lower octane.

I do not care what elevation I am at, 85 octane is not something I am willing to put into my car – especially during a trip where I may end up at a lower elevation.

The more you know!