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View Full Version : When Your Hobby Is Saving Gas, You Save Money


atlaw4u
06-24-2008, 10:27 AM
"“Everyone’s got a hobby,” Keim said. “Mine’s saving gas.”
" (http://www.wydaily.com/read_article.php?article=425)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/1990_-_94_Geo_Metro.jpgAndrew Pike - Williamsburg Yorktown Daily - June 24, 2008

Paul Keim’s Geo Metro cost him nearly nothing. A lady wanted it gone and Keim was happy to take it off her hands. It was, after all, the eighth Geo he’s owned.

“The Geo is not a fashionable car,” Keim said. “It’s not full of bells and whistles.
“It’s transportation.”

It’s also efficient transportation. Keim, who works as a U.S. Postal Service truck mechanic, took an interest in fuel efficiency back in 1997 when gas prices were much lower and fuel efficiency less talked about.

“It was kind of like a game,” Keim said of trying to squeeze extra mileage out of a tank of gas.
His Metro is EPA rated at 41 mpg, but now he consistently exceeds that rate. Keim got 49 mpg on his last tank.

So with gas around $4 per gallon, Keim’s car keeps him away from the pump, but not from wanting to fill up, especially today.

“I might fill up tonight,” Keim said, eagerly awaiting the final numbers that a fillup would produce… http://www.wydaily.com/read_article.php?article=425

Robert Lastick
06-24-2008, 12:00 PM
2000 Saturn, SL 1.8L 4 cyl, 5 sp. Man.
Daily commute = 96 mi.
10% City - 90% Hwy, mostly rural roads.
Lifetime MPG = 51.6
Last Tank = 61.2 MPG

Nice Job, Paul!! Heres my specs. Keep up the good work!! I am sure we are inspirations to others wanting to preserve their standard of living!

voodoo22
06-24-2008, 08:20 PM
My lifetime average would be much better if I could use our car only for the commute, but today for example, I had to drive a long way home on a toll highway to get my wife to the hospital and at 120 km/h for 65 km's I'm now over 40 km's behind my usual pace for the amount of gas used when my tank is at the level it is.

I don't care obviously, as my wife is fine and all the important things worked out, but this also illustrates how much more amazing lifetime averages like you guys have for your car is.

lamebums
06-24-2008, 10:58 PM
My lifetime average would be much better if I could use our car only for the commute, but today for example, I had to drive a long way home on a toll highway to get my wife to the hospital and at 120 km/h for 65 km's I'm now over 40 km's behind my usual pace for the amount of gas used when my tank is at the level it is.

I don't care obviously, as my wife is fine and all the important things worked out, but this also illustrates how much more amazing lifetime averages like you guys have for your car is.

I imagine some day if I get married, the wife gets pregnant, and when she goes into labor nine months later and needs to get to the hospital, the baby will be born on the floor because I drove too slow. :D

Daox
06-25-2008, 04:59 PM
Not everyone is comfortable going the full 9 yards. You can't expect them to either. Think of your grandparents doing P&G as they go to the grocery store... I wouldn't even want them to try.

A024523
06-26-2008, 10:17 AM
I agree with Andrew, because the fact is that everyone's situation is unique. Someone who has a really short commute, engine is on its last legs and can't afford a new one, lives on Manhattan Island, drives only in hilly terrain and/or always drives with their car loaded with passengers would be definitely skilled just to match their EPA. We are here to be supportive of each other, so let's be positive. :) I even applaud those who join with low MPG SUVs and trucks, because each percent they beat their EPA is double the fuel saved of each percent I beat my EPA in my Tercel.

PS - "93 Hatch" CARPOOLS, so multiply his milage by 2 and that's 53 MPGPP (miles per gallon per person). That beats my best tank of 50 MPGPP driving solo.

PaleMelanesian
06-26-2008, 11:11 AM
95H, you're just fine. New car, automatic, carpooling - just meeting EPA is an accomplishment. I don't know anything about your drive, either. Wayne would be the guy to ask, with his 05 Accord auto.

A024523
06-26-2008, 11:13 AM
Back on topic, I've saved more gas than can fit in the passenger area of my car and the trunk and the gas tank, combined! :D That's a lot of money saved, too.

Wow, I'm not worthy! :omg: I have only saved 40 gallons since April, maybe enough to fill my trunk? :rolleyes:

93Hatch
06-26-2008, 12:19 PM
95H, you're just fine. New car, automatic, carpooling - just meeting EPA is an accomplishment. I don't know anything about your drive, either. Wayne would be the guy to ask, with his 05 Accord auto.

Actually I've had the car for 8 years, but have only recently starting commuting (and hypermiling with it). And I just pumped the tires up to max sidewall pressure the other day, partway through the latest tank. My commute is about 50 miles/day, and at least half of that is highway, not too much congestion. I drove much slower in my old Civic for some reason. I guess after 8 years of driving the Accord like a maniac has developed habits that are hard to break. But I am working on it. I need to learn the transmission's shift points. It is so smooth that the shifts are hard to detect sometimes.

Also, I only carpool with one other person.

Any tips or advice are welcome from anyone!

ikea4532
06-26-2008, 12:39 PM
well 93 hatch i do not think you should care what anyone thinks on here: BUt my thought is that you are doing well, i too just got here and have two people in my car and am saving gas even though i just bought an old HCH it is still nice with this community that i am getting EPA, I never used to get EPA. WIth my Driving record, i would always look at a cars EPA and subtract 10-15% off of it and look at them that way. Now i do not have to do that.

A024523
06-26-2008, 12:39 PM
Also, I only carpool with one other person.
My bad, but it still puts your MPG per person closer to 50, depending on the proportion of your drive with/without passengers.

and have two people in my car

Nicely done Ikea, so you are easily getting over 100 MPG per person! I think I need to look into carpooling. :)

PaleMelanesian
06-26-2008, 01:03 PM
93hatch, I suggest you look into Hang Time for the highway. I've found good results in my auto Odyssey.

93Hatch
06-27-2008, 09:38 AM
93hatch, I suggest you look into Hang Time for the highway. I've found good results in my auto Odyssey.

Thanks for the tip!

Right Lane Cruiser
06-27-2008, 11:26 AM
Just as a note: The ratings on the signature banners are calculated by comparing your logged average to the combined EPA rating (simplified to 50% city and 50% highway driving). If your average exceeds that number (the combined EPA number is higher than 100%) you qualify for "Skilled" rating.

93H, you earned that rating and should be proud of it -- most drivers don't even get close to EPA ratings!

For vehicles prior to 2008, "Skilled" is for 1-24% over combined EPA, "Expert" is for 25-49% over combined EPA, and "Elite" is for 50%+ over combined EPA. As the 2008 EPA ratings are lower, the percentages have been adjusted so that the ratings are as equivalent as we can manage.

And Auston, my wife has threatened me with death if I let her give birth on the floormat! :eek:

A024523
06-27-2008, 11:34 AM
For vehicles prior to 2008, "Skilled" is for 1-24% over combined EPA, "Expert" is for 25-49% over combined EPA, and "Elite" is for 50%+ over combined EPA.

I think they need a new category of "Ridiculously Elite" for those surpassing 175% and "Insanely Elite" for those surpassing 200%. :)

93Hatch
06-27-2008, 12:25 PM
Sorry to all I will be carefull what I say from now on

SORRY!

Scott T. Morris

No problem. Now what about that mileage log?:D

1996ToyotaTercelDX
06-27-2008, 05:24 PM
yeah i tried to post it under the mileage log link and it does not show up when i post a comment what else do i do?

B.L.E.
06-28-2008, 06:52 AM
I find that when you drive to get excellent gas mileage, you don't just save fuel costs, your brakes also last a long, long time. Engines last a long time also. When I had a '91 Geo Metro, people almost wouldn't believe my gas mileage, until I pulled out my driving log with fill-ups and miles and mpg calculations, usually around 50 mpg or more, but what really made their jaws drop was when they asked how many miles I had on the odometer, 288,000 when I finally got rid of it.

ILAveo
06-28-2008, 12:39 PM
Just as a note: .........

And Auston, my wife has threatened me with death if I let her give birth on the floormat! :eek:

I'd let her use the seat if it were me:p, but yeah, that's one of the times you'll be motivated to drive faster than usual.

A024523
06-28-2008, 03:18 PM
yeah i tried to post it under the mileage log link and it does not show up when i post a comment what else do i do?

There is a great explanation on this link... http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5095
Good luck! :D

Chuck
06-28-2008, 03:39 PM
And Auston, my wife has threatened me with death if I let her give birth on the floormat! :eek:Got an idea...lets take a collection to rent a Tesla, or at least a PHEV Prius with aeromods. :D

Right Lane Cruiser
06-30-2008, 01:19 PM
Got an idea...lets take a collection to rent a Tesla, or at least a PHEV Prius with aeromods. :D

Now that would be SWEET! :D



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