Have the rising fuel prices changed your driving habits?
5/12/08, 03:48 PM
#1
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Have the rising fuel prices changed your driving habits?
What are people doing to help mitigate the ever rising costs of gasoline? Are any of you actually driving less? Are you driving slower on the freeway? Using alternative transportation?
Personally, I have started riding my bicycle to work. I am fortunate enough to live about 6 miles from my work site. I have estimated that I save around $250 a month in gas and parking.
Personally, I have started riding my bicycle to work. I am fortunate enough to live about 6 miles from my work site. I have estimated that I save around $250 a month in gas and parking.
5/12/08, 04:08 PM
#2
Needs to be more Astony
Nope, my budget is not planned out to calculate gas so if i end up spending more in gas i prob end up spending less on junk and it evens itself out.
5/12/08, 04:18 PM
#3
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Yep, I haven't drove my truck or Mustang in months and I only drive when I really have to. These days everybody is sharing Fusion since that's the only car in family that can get at least 20 mpg.
I'm even thinking on trading in either truck or Mustang for Scion xD.
I'm even thinking on trading in either truck or Mustang for Scion xD.
Last edited by Zastava_101; 5/12/08 at 04:20 PM.
5/12/08, 04:42 PM
#4
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Same topic came up on another board - here's my response.
I've been doing it for a while now. I'm a little extreme, and some will say stupid, but I've been attempting some 'hypermilling' stratergies. I accelerate very slowly, and I coast as long as possible to every stop... within reason, I'm not a dick rolling for miles at 20mph w/ people behind me. But, if nobody's behind me, I'm coasting. If I'm in a situation where I'm coasting to a long light, etc, I'll shut the motor down while coasting and not turn it back on till the light turns green. Yes, all this sounds dangerous and stupid, but I'm judicious when I do it. So far, I've seen a dramatic improvement in mileage. I've taken the unnecessary junk out of the trunk of the car, keep my tires just slightly above the recommended limit, and never speed. My needle's still above full and I've got 67 miles on this tank so far.
Bash me if you want, 'tis cool, I understand. Just keep in mind I'm not rude and holding up traffic, I'm in the right lane and do speed up (slowly) if I'm in a situation where I the person behind me can't get around if he wants too.
Oh, I'm doing this in my 91 Integra, not my Mustang.
Also, I've been riding my Harley as much as possible to work and have been much more discriminate when deciding which errands need run.
I've been doing it for a while now. I'm a little extreme, and some will say stupid, but I've been attempting some 'hypermilling' stratergies. I accelerate very slowly, and I coast as long as possible to every stop... within reason, I'm not a dick rolling for miles at 20mph w/ people behind me. But, if nobody's behind me, I'm coasting. If I'm in a situation where I'm coasting to a long light, etc, I'll shut the motor down while coasting and not turn it back on till the light turns green. Yes, all this sounds dangerous and stupid, but I'm judicious when I do it. So far, I've seen a dramatic improvement in mileage. I've taken the unnecessary junk out of the trunk of the car, keep my tires just slightly above the recommended limit, and never speed. My needle's still above full and I've got 67 miles on this tank so far.
Bash me if you want, 'tis cool, I understand. Just keep in mind I'm not rude and holding up traffic, I'm in the right lane and do speed up (slowly) if I'm in a situation where I the person behind me can't get around if he wants too.
Oh, I'm doing this in my 91 Integra, not my Mustang.
Also, I've been riding my Harley as much as possible to work and have been much more discriminate when deciding which errands need run.
Last edited by 05GT-O.C.D.; 5/12/08 at 04:44 PM.
5/12/08, 04:53 PM
#6
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To ease the cost, I fill up after the fuel gauge has gone done 1/4 tank. My driving pattern in the mustang remains the same although I tend to go on fewer drives that I use to.
5/12/08, 05:08 PM
#7
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
No, not at all.
Of course, averaging 15 miles a day in my main vehicle makes the price increase not really affect me.
It seems to rain often enough that I've only used about 7gals. in the Stang this month. I haven't bought any gas for it yet this month.
Yeah, that extra $30 bucks a month is gonna kill me.
Of course, averaging 15 miles a day in my main vehicle makes the price increase not really affect me.
It seems to rain often enough that I've only used about 7gals. in the Stang this month. I haven't bought any gas for it yet this month.
Yeah, that extra $30 bucks a month is gonna kill me.
5/12/08, 05:46 PM
#8
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Yes, every time I drive by a gas station charging more than the usual $4.19 for diesel I raise my fist in the air and start saying words that would make a baby cry. 
...
You know, there is something wrong with that sentence. Diesel prices make me
.
...
You know, there is something wrong with that sentence. Diesel prices make me
.
5/12/08, 05:50 PM
#9
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SOMEONE needs to start refining alternative fuels (and not just for diesel's).
5/12/08, 06:14 PM
#10
Mach 1 Member
You bet it shall really change ours!!
You bet!! For the daily driver, the Hand writing on this, is now really on the wall! We did some test driving around town last month in a new 2008 Ford Escape Hyrid and we just loved it! Plenty of good power all round. 34 MPG City works great for me. So bye-bye big Ol' school SUV. We will be ordering our new 2009, from our area Ford dealer. As soon as that starts up this summer. And then we get on the waiting list for the Fall deliveries.
On the other hand. Our own Calstang is pretty much a joyride and show car. So we just drive it about with no real thoughts or concerns on the mileage and gas costs. This, because life is just way too short, to have to quit having that kind of driving fun, at any affordable costs!! "RC"
On the other hand. Our own Calstang is pretty much a joyride and show car. So we just drive it about with no real thoughts or concerns on the mileage and gas costs. This, because life is just way too short, to have to quit having that kind of driving fun, at any affordable costs!! "RC"
5/12/08, 08:50 PM
#11
Good luck trading in your truck. The stealerships around here just laugh when you drive up in a Full size SUV or Pickup and say you want to trade. They told me my DSG 2002 Harley F-150 was worth about $10,000.00 in a trade
5/12/08, 10:59 PM
#13
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Then I guess I'll have to get rid of Mustang. Nobody is driving that car anymore, it just sits in the garage.
5/12/08, 11:07 PM
#14
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no changes for me - my total (roundtrip) daily commute to work is about 90+ miles and still and will always have a heavy right foot, unless i have kids in the car. one thing that helps out is that my company just started allowing telecommuting twice a week, so that helps out, but it doesn't matter to me because i've already budgeted for gas prior to purchasing the 'stang.
5/13/08, 03:04 AM
#15
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I'll go out on a limb here and say we ain't seen nothin' yet. Before long we'll all be forced to radically alter our driving habits. The rising cost of oil is going to change everything.
It really is ironic that cars like Camaro and Challenger are showing up at this moment in history. I can almost guarantee that they will be gone after a single four-year model run ... or will see their power trains modified extensively.
It really is ironic that cars like Camaro and Challenger are showing up at this moment in history. I can almost guarantee that they will be gone after a single four-year model run ... or will see their power trains modified extensively.
Last edited by Hollywood_North GT; 5/13/08 at 03:05 AM.
5/13/08, 05:14 AM
#16
Legacy TMS Member
I drive like 05gt most of the time as long as I'm not in any ones way. I floor it less than I use to. No plans of trading it in for a 4 banger yet. I have been having thoughts of getting rid of one of my other cars for a 4popper tho
5/13/08, 06:18 AM
#17
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No more drag racing on Fridays, no more drives to the other side of town to try out that new restaurant, no more 30 mile trips to go 10 miles (those were my favorite). Also, last fall bought a 98 Yamaha YZF600R that's getting around 45mpg.
