High Gas Prices And Idiots

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
you know what amazes me? that people will complain about high gas prices, but still speed (which lowers your gas mileage); and still sit idling in the drive-through lanes at banks or fast food places (which wastes gas). gimme a break.

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
here's ten tips from gasbuddy.com:[quote][list=1]
[*]Avoid high speeds: As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph versus 75 mph will reduce fuel consumption by about 15 percent.
[*]Do not accelerate or brake hard: By anticipating the traffic and applying slow, steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20 percent.
[*]Keep tires properly inflated: Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire underinflated by 2 pounds per square inch increases fuel consumption by 1 percent.
[*]Use air conditioning sparingly: When the air conditioner is on, it puts extra load on the engine, forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20 percent). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
[*]Keep windows closed: Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10 percent.
[*]Service vehicle regularly: Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
[*]Use cruise control: Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
[*]Avoid heavy loads: Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
[*]Avoid long idles: If you anticipate being stopped for more than one minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
[*]Purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle: When buying a new vehicle, examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually, choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.
[/list][/quote]

[StColette]

I watch people keep there cars turned while trains are going by. Our trains down here last an average of around 30 mins to an hour to go by, in some places. And I just sit there in amazement watchiing people keep there cars running lol

[rkwright]

ok I try the air conditioning tip... but in Houston its so hot so fast, and I drive black car. I can't keep it off more than like 15 mins before I'm so hot.

[Brother Adam]

MYTHS

Gas Saving Gadgets

The Environmental Protection Agency tested about 100 of these gadgets and said most do nothing for your car. In fact, they may hurt your engine. Consumer Reports magazine also tested some of the gadgets and advised that you save your money: They don't work.

Using air conditioning wastes gas

Not always, according to Consumer Reports. If you're going more than 40 miles per hour, it's probably better to have the air conditioning on. But if you're driving around town at 30 miles per hour, keeping the windows down will be your best bet.

Hybrids

Are they best when it comes to gas efficiency? Not always. You need to do your homework if you're interested in buying a hybrid. Some of them, but not all of them, will save you money on gas, particularly when you factor in the purchase price.

[url="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/09/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main766084.shtml"]http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/09/...ain766084.shtml[/url]

[rkwright]

Yea... over 40MPH the drag and wind resistance is greater having your windows down and thus its better to just run the AC.

[havok579257]

[quote name='StColette' post='1588276' date='Jul 1 2008, 12:38 PM']I watch people keep there cars turned while trains are going by. Our trains down here last an average of around 30 mins to an hour to go by, in some places. And I just sit there in amazement watchiing people keep there cars running lol[/quote]


What? Do you mean you sit at a railroad crossing for 30mins to an hour? How do you not go crazy. I would be going insane.

[havok579257]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1588271' date='Jul 1 2008, 12:34 PM']+J.M.J.+
here's ten tips from gasbuddy.com:[/quote]


Windows up and no air conditioning in the summer? That could be a problem.

[HisChildForever]

With the air conditioning, I keep it blasting for 15 minutes and then turn it off - with the windows shut, obviously it stays contained - but I keep the cool air circulating on low, without the air conditioning on. It helps maintain it. This is good for short trips.

[StColette]

[quote name='havok579257' post='1588287' date='Jul 1 2008, 12:55 PM']What? Do you mean you sit at a railroad crossing for 30mins to an hour? How do you not go crazy. I would be going insane.[/quote]

yep we sit at the railroad crossing for 30 mins to an hour on some trains. We have coal trains that run through our area (Kansas City Southern Railroad has a station here). Some of the coal trains are sooo long and heavy loaded that they move what seems to be at 3 to 5 mph, if even that. Given some of the trains are over 100 carts long as well. lol

[havok579257]

[quote name='StColette' post='1588295' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:01 PM']yep we sit at the railroad crossing for 30 mins to an hour on some trains. We have coal trains that run through our area (Kansas City Southern Railroad has a station here). Some of the coal trains are sooo long and heavy loaded that they move what seems to be at 3 to 5 mph, if even that. Given some of the trains are over 100 carts long as well. lol[/quote]


Man, how do you not end up extremly late for things if you accidently end up when a train is passing?

[StColette]

[quote name='havok579257' post='1588297' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:06 PM']Man, how do you not end up extremly late for things if you accidently end up when a train is passing?[/quote]

I call if I'm on the way to an appointment or to work. They understand, because it's such a common occurence around our area. I have missed Mass before because I was stuck at a train for more than an hour, of course I went later on in the day.

During high school and middle school lots of students missed first period because of trains lol The schools actually had copies of the train schedules to make sure we were telling the truth.

[BG45]

30 minutes for trains...geez.

As for idling at fast food, I do that. It wastes more gas to turn the motor on and off about seven times in as many minutes, or usually less. But the bank, nope. I just turn it off; I've never made it through a bank drive thru in under 20 minutes.

What really amazes me is all these people with gigantic SUVs and pickup trucks that whine about gas. I always feel a bit better if I put in about four gallons and pay nearly $20 or so, and the guy next to me is past 100 on his SUV.

[StColette]

[quote name='BG45' post='1588313' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:18 PM']30 minutes for trains...geez.[/quote]

Record time I"ve sat stuck at train tracks was almost 2 hrs. lol Near where I grew up we had double tracks, two tracks right next to one another. Sometimes you would get stuck by one train and then you would hear another one coming on the other tracks. You would have to wait on two trains. And sometimes the trains would stop for a while lol and then start up again. lol I'm from a really small town, where everyone knows everyone, usually in the long time cases we would all park our cars and get out and talk to one another lol

[Jesus_lol]

or buy a motorcycle! seriously, the biggest fattest ugliest motorcycle driven recklessly will still get the same gas mileage or better than a hybrid. except the biggest fattest motorbike will still cost less than a hybrid, and any normal sized bike will cost half as much(3-6K) as the cheapest new car available and normal bike get gas mileage in the range of 50-70MPG.



nother tip, try and stay in the higher gears for longer, keeps the engine rpm's down.

Edited July 1, 2008 by Jesus_lol