LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped today for the 17th time in 18 days, falling 1.5 cents to $4.107, one day after decreasing 1.8 cents.
The average price has decreased 15.1 cents over the past 18 days, following a 21-day streak of increases totaling 58.6 cents that pushed it to its highest amount since July 21, 2015, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.
The average price is 9.7 cents less than one week ago, but 27.1 cents more than one month ago and 24 cents higher than one year ago. It has risen 71.6 cents since the start of the year.
The Orange County average price dropped for the 17th time in 20 days, decreasing seven-tenths of a cent to $4.068. It has declined 15.5 cents over the past 20 days, including 2.3 cents Thursday, after rising to its highest amount since July 22, 2015.
The Orange County average price is 9.6 cents less than a week ago, but 26.4 cents more than a month ago and 25.3 cents higher than one year ago. It has risen 71.9 cents since the start of the year.
“When prices are dropping like this, it's tempting to wait until your gas tank is almost empty to fill up again, but doing that regularly can actually damage your vehicle and cost you more money over the long run,” said Jeffrey Spring, the Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager.
“We recommend that drivers keep at least a quarter-tank of fuel in their vehicle at all times to avoid overheating the electric fuel pump or causing tank sediment damage to the fuel pump pickup, the fuel filter or the fuel injectors.”
Photo: Getty Images