Spending money "for the green of it"

Since the cost of gas returned to a reasonable amount, America's obsession with saving money on fuel has been redirected. The drop in gas prices came just in time for the holidays, and probably saved retailers' bottom line from oblivion. Now that the country is focused on "the economy" and "unemployment level", the gas station has returned to being just one more stop on the commute home from a long day at work. But there is something new at the pump........ Shell is advertising a "gunk-cleaner" grade that costs about 50 cents more per gallon - Probably not a marketable product in the summer of 08, but a good investment? Which is better? A hybrid or expensive fossil fuel? Hybrids and fuel-efficient car sales remain strong (see comments about hybrid auto makers), and a clean engine runs more efficiently, so my hunch is, preventing the gunk build might save gas. But how do we know that the so-called "Shell V-power" is worth the investment? Does the benefit out-weigh the cost? Why would spending more green on what is ultimately a finite resource really make sense? It remains to be seen if a high priced premium fuel can survive the current economic "crisis". I might like to see some evidence that the gas saves money in the long-run. In the mean time, I'll stick to my own method of saving; cruising at 60 mph on a freeway that has a 65 mph speed limit. I make my choice, and others are free to make their's - for now (see more on the freedom to choose your speed). As my 7th grade teacher said: " Pay your money - take your choice" .

If you can afford it, fill up with the most expensive gasoline out there, just "for the green of it".

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Save fuel or 7 minutes. Happy speeder commute advice.!

According to the US Census Bureau, in 2006 the average time to commute from home to work ranges between 15 and 31 minutes. The average was 25 miles. O.K., I drive 26 miles, each way, and it takes me 45 - 120 minutes. Atlanta must not be very average... According to the US Department of Energy, for each 5 mph you drive over 55 mph, you lose 6% of efficiency. So, at 75 mph, that would be 24% less efficient. If gas costs $3.99 per gallon, you’re really paying closer to $5.00 per gallon. No WAY! , you SAY?! Let’s compare the fuel cost of your trip to work at 55 mph speed versus 75 mph. If your car averages 25 mpg, then your 25 mile commute at 55 mph will cost you 1 gallon of gas, which is $3.99. If you drive 75 mph tomorrow, (that darn snooze button), and your fuel efficiency drops by 24%, then you could say that the trip cost 24% more, or $4.95. At 75 mph, you spend @ 96 cents more to get to work. If you make this trip 250 times, that’s $240.00 extra one way - $480.00 both ways -(who goes to work and doesn't come home?). All other things being equal ( which they aren't, but just pretend) the increased speed got you to work @ 7 minutes sooner. If you are running 5 minutes late, getting to work 7 minutes faster than usual is a blessing, and you have the right to spend 96 cents to drive 75 mph. Interstate 285 here in Atlanta has a speed limit of 55 mph, and I would never encourage breaking the law, so if you do speed, speed at your own risk. These calculations are based on an article from THE NEW YORK TIMES blog: Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. The math is dependent on several other factors not taken into account, so the estimate is just an ESTIMATE! For an excellent list of gas saving tips, you can refer to this WIKI article: How to Increase Fuel Mileage on a Car
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Why does the demand for gas increase in the summer?

June 3, 2008: Watch this video clip on CNN's website: In it, CNN's Miles O'Brien gets a hypermiling lesson from a guru of fuel conservation, who gets 50 to 150 mpg in his Honda Accord. This guru, Wayne Gerdes, is also cited on the Happy Speeder website from his interview with Reader's Digest in May, 2008. That article is where he describes his radical energy saving tactics, like using an "Ice Vest" to avoid running the auto air-conditioner.

I am shopping around for an "Ice Vest", if anyone has suggestions. Anything to cool off while sitting in traffic sounds good to me. Especially during the summer, when here in Atlanta, the blacktop interstate is often 100 degrees before noon. The good thing about commuting during the summer, is that the rush-hour traffic is usually not as heavy as during the school year. Less traffic = shorter commute time = less fuel use, right? Maybe; but if you are like me, you don't see much savings. Possibly because of the unbearable heat and the necessity of running the a.c.. I have been trying to turn off my car's a.c. more often now, but it is taking some getting used to. Until the gas prices became painful, my natural reflex, if the air was too cold, would be to adjust the interior temperature up a few degrees. After all, isn't that why my car has an interior thermostat? Another reason could be that I often drive faster than I would during heavy traffic. This is not because I can't drive slow without traffic to impede me, but if I hit the snooze button 1(or 2) times more, thinking to myself, "well, traffic will be light...", then I end up running late. Oh, it is easy to blame... I could blame the weather, the automobile manufactures, the public school system, and more... If only blaming would save money at the gas pump. It doesn't, though, and if I want to reduce the pain in my pocket, I am going to have to make a choice. The choice between my car's a.c. and my snooze button is not going to be a hard one. I am free to get up and Drive a little slower to SAVE A LOT!!

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