Memorial Day Surprise in Three Cities: Possible Free Tank of Gas

Yes, it's promotional, but it still seems worth sharing: the "helpful Honda" people in blue polo shirts you see on TV commercials will this year repeat their Memorial Day giveaways of free gas and window washing for Honda owners in Long Beach, Pasadena and Sherman Oaks.

The locations aren't disclosed, but the Southern California Honda Dealers group will fan out to gas stations between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., as they did last year, in this KABC segment.

And Honda drivers will be surprised with a free tank of gas, that will even be pumped for them, a dealership spokesman said.

For all motorists, gas prices are expected to be lower this summer than last, but there was no relief this Memorial Day weekend, experts said.

"If you can gas up today to prepare for your Memorial Day driving, do so," said Chuck Bonner, the lead analyst for GasPredictor.com. "Retail gas prices should have stabilized in the Midwest, but will continue rising on the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast," Bonner said. 

"This is one of the more volatile Memorial Day weekends that I can remember," Patrick DeHaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst at GasBuddy.com, told Patch.

While you can't control the price at the pump, you might be able to control how much gas your car burns. AAA offered these tips: 

• Properly inflate your tires 
  
• Avoid flooring the accelerator and slamming on the brakes
  
• Drive the speed limit 
  
• Keep up-to-date on routine vehicle maintenance