I've got a GAS pain
Mar 01 '08
The Bottom Line For me I want to know I'm getting the best, or above average mpg, especially in these times of $3.50 plus a gallon.
Today's gas prices in my part of the country just topped $3.40 per gallon and there's no let up in the foreseeable future. As long as the demand is where it is, expect prices to climb until oil companies figure out we've had enough. Everyone is effected by fuel prices even if you don't own a car or motorized vehicle. Start taking notice of anything you purchase from groceries to golf balls. Have you ever heard the famous car bumper sticker slogan "If you bought it, a truck brought it". Trucking companies will simply increase their rates and you'll see it on the price tag or feel it in your wallet on just about anything you buy.
I have a small business that in part consumes petroleum based products that include plastic trash bags, rubber belting, urethane duct hose, truck tires, ect. Most of these products have increased 50% to almost double in price over the last 2 years. Like most businesses I pass along this cost of operation (overhead) to customers. I raise my prices about once a year to keep up with this problem but I projected fuel to average about $3 a gallon for 2008. While I just watched the price hit the $3.40 I'm not going panic until it goes to $3.50-$3.60, I will push the panic button when it goes to $3.99....
Miles per Gallon "MPG" has only been in my top 10 category of concerns, but right now today it's numeral uno! There's only a few things that I can do to get the best mileage from my vehicles, which I've implemented the most obvious ones:
~Tire pressure~
~VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, air cleaner, properly tuned, wheel alignment, even certain grades of motor oil can help~
~NON aggressive driving~
~Removing EXCESS Weight~
Noting my time log on one specific work truck that drives the exact same route every day for a month, I found a savings of approximately 5 percent in January. February's figures were slightly better.
Every chance I get I drive my motorcycle to work vs my gas guzzling crew cab truck. Bike gets around 35 MPG, truck is about 10. What's this savings amount to? It costs me $34 to go 350 miles via motorcycle, $119 via my pickup.
My last gas pain was:
Most of us have experienced this problem at some point, it started a couple years ago when gas pumps started shutting off at $50. It took a few times for me to catch on, I didn't fill my tank, or the gas gauge was on E and you only drove a few hundred miles. Most gas pumps where you swipe the card outside have a limit of some kind. Today it's $75 at the Quick Stop I normally visit. For my pickup's 32 gallon capacity this is only a third of a tank! Consider this if you're one of those persons that tops off their tank and tries to calculate mileage, it's going to be off some, maybe a lot.
Just a few weeks ago I watched for the first time the readout at the pump went over $100. A little shocking yes, but when it gets to $10 a gallon will it be like the apocalyptic flick
Road Warrior where people would do anything for gas? Will we hear of "tanker truck" hijackings on the news?
Here's some "GAS MILEAGE TIPS" tips from the US Government:"http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml"
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
walkerpkw
|
 in Computer Hardware, Cars & Motorsports |
|
Location: Granite Bay California
Reviews written: 69
Trusted by: 69 members
About Me:
Warning! Epinions may be addictive. Sessions lasting more than 4 hours may cause permanent damage.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.