Future of Gas Prices

[bladerunner]

The electric car folks don't realize that their batteries are recharged with coal fired electricity, and I get a chuckle out of that. Excelsior!

Exactly.  And after the whole Fukushima thing, everyone is ditching nuclear in favor of coal and LNG facilities, which increases our carbon output.  No one really seems to care about that though.  I am not endorsing nuke power, though I believe when done properly, it is very safe, but it shows that the whole argument against fossil fuels in purely political, eco garbage.

[PromiseKeeper]

Gov
On a state level, the Va governor is going to pass a law requiring ultrasounds to those about to undergo an abortion.  Forcing his personal beliefs, not what the supreme court declared in Roe v. Wade, onto his constitutents.  What medical benefit is an ultrasound prior to aborting?   Too much power.

Del,
On the flip side of this are the insurance and pharmaceutical companies that are dictating our health care. This goes far beyond "medical benefits."I for one appreciate what the Virginia governor is doing. He is no more "forcing his personal beliefs" than the Supreme Courts judges did when Roe vs. Wade was tried. The fact is, an ultrasound will show that what is being aborted is far more than an unformed mass of cells. It is a human life. The Virginia Governor is demonstrating this and emphasizing the value of life and taking a stand against legalizing the murder of unborn babies. Just because something is legal doesn't make it right. Maybe this will allow the parents-to-be to really consider what they are about to do. I believe this is a far more important issue than $5 gas, and I cant afford it any more than anyone else.
Respectfully,
Scott

[74GMC]

I live in NB, Canada, If I'm over in Maine doing some shopping I always drive over on a empty tank so I can fill up. Gas where I live is $128 a liter, supposed to go up to a all time high of $150 a liter. At a $128 a liter it works out to $448 a gallon. Not looking forward to the end of the summer when it hits 150 a liter. Might have to limit diving my 74, not to happy.

[beastie_3]

I live in NB, Canada, If I'm over in Maine doing some shopping I always drive over on a empty tank so I can fill up. Gas where I live is $128 a liter, supposed to go up to a all time high of $150 a liter. At a $128 a liter it works out to $448 a gallon. Not looking forward to the end of the summer when it hits 150 a liter. Might have to limit diving my 74, not to happy.

I knew it was expensive in the UK, but that is ridiculous!

[Stewart G Griffin]

i was listening to Marketplace on NPR and according to it, if you live in houston or the south wherever the refineries are you're in luck.  If you live on the east coast like me not so good----because it takes money to actually transport the fuel here.

But they did say prices were going down---for this week anyways.


i'm definitely going to try the grill block idea----stay tuned for that.

[PromiseKeeper]

I live within about 15 miles of a refinery and am paying $3.89 (March 16)

[Stewart G Griffin]

The other thing i'm thinking about is tires such as Michelin's XPS rib run pressures at 80psi, yet somehow i don't think it might help.  But it might.  i'd like to try it.

The other strategy is to go to 195/75 15's or smaller if possible.   These would take less energy to turn.

P.S. i'm not actually worried about gas prices now or for the summer;  i spend more on groceries per week.

[PromiseKeeper]

There is actually a rolling resistance rating on tires. It makes a difference on mileage, but they are pricey, so you'd have to do the math to see if it is worth it

[Stewart G Griffin]

The other, other thing i'm thinking about is, after watching the dodge RAM commercial last night, it occurs to me that ALL 1/2 ton pickups these days can get at least 20MPG, in some cases a little more.  GM, ford and Chrysler.  Don't know about toyota/nissan but i'm sure they are working on it.

The weight certainly has not changed---if anything thing it's higher.  Cubes have not changed either.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Discuss the possiblity of CNG conversion:

[Edahall]

The other, other thing i'm thinking about is, after watching the dodge RAM commercial last night, it occurs to me that ALL 1/2 ton pickups these days can get at least 20MPG, in some cases a little more.  GM, ford and Chrysler.  Don't know about toyota/nissan but i'm sure they are working on it.

The weight certainly has not changed---if anything thing it's higher.  Cubes have not changed either.

Our trucks can get 20 mpg as well.  Instead of focusing on engine efficiency which not much can be done there, focus on aerodynamics.  Aerodynamics is probably one of the biggest reasons why newer trucks get better fuel economy.

Regarding aerodynamic mods, here are some ideas.

I would first start off with extending the front bumper down to almost the ground and installing a cover that angles downward from the cab down to the tail gate.  You can use thick rubber to bring that bumper down.  There are a bunch of other things you can do such as using pizza pans as hub caps or rear fender skirts but then the truck starts to look silly.  Also, make sure you are using low resistant tall and skinny tires.  If your truck is 1/2 ton, go with a 30x9.50 and if it's 3/4 ton, go with a 235/85/16.

Here are several truck that were ecomodded to the extreme to give you an idea what I was explaining.  Pay particular attention to the slopping canopy and the front bumper.  These guys also smooth out the bottom of their trucks with a pan so they don't need to extend the bumper so far down.

--And oh by the way, that 1994 Toyota T-100 went from 23.3 mpg to 32 mpg at 75 mph.  And that truck was a lot more aerodynamic than our trucks to begin with so there's even more gain to be had on our square bodied trucks.

[Jason S]

--And oh by the way, that 1994 Toyota T-100 went from 23.3 mpg to 32 mpg at 75 mph.  And that truck was a lot more aerodynamic than our trucks to begin with so there's even more gain to be had on our square bodied trucks.

Any fuel mileage figures from the '60's Dodge?  If it had the 225 slant-six to begin with, it ought to pull some decent mpg's.

[Edahall]

--And oh by the way, that 1994 Toyota T-100 went from 23.3 mpg to 32 mpg at 75 mph.  And that truck was a lot more aerodynamic than our trucks to begin with so there's even more gain to be had on our square bodied trucks.


Any fuel mileage figures from the '60's Dodge?  If it had the 225 slant-six to begin with, it ought to pull some decent mpg's.

Sorry, no mpg figures for that 60's Dodge.

[joel]

ain't there something the government SHOULD do to keep one industry from ruining so much other businesses in lost business?  Such as I cant afford the parts i want because extra dollars goes in the tank. I have a daily driver.

[Stewart G Griffin]

It's presently $3.97 for regular around here, so let's just say $4.  It cost about $48 to fillup(car), but that should last a week.  i don't think it's time to panic just yet.  i mean i just spent over $100 in groceries.