Record Vancouver Fuel Prices (reporter seeking BC ecomodders to interview)

[litesong]

Originally Posted by litesong

..Our Hyundai Elantra, bad-mouthed for poor MPG by leadfooters, just got 45MPG, traveling from Eastern Washington to West Washington, over 3000+ foot Snoqualmie Pass.

The post above was our automatic Elantra. Just today, a round-trip from Western Washington to Eastern WA & back, in our MANUAL TRANNY ELANTRA, crossing over 4000+foot Stevens Pass both ways, & burning 87 octane E10, showed 49MPG on the trip computer as we neared home. With our 87 octane gasoline cars, I've noted that true MPG with 87 octane E10 usually is 2 to 3 MPG less than the computer. But burning efficient 87 octane 100% gasoline (E0) the car computer is quite accurate.

[MetroMPG]

Here's a link to the article by Adrienne Tanner which ran 7 hrs ago:

Thanks for the heads up! For some reason the story didn't pop up in my email alerts.

[litesong]

Originally Posted by litesong

..... a stop for....gasoline, (then) turned 45MPG while passing over a 3000 foot mountain pass.

Originally Posted by litesong

The post above was our automatic Elantra. Just today, a round-trip from Western Washington to Eastern WA & back, in our MANUAL TRANNY ELANTRA, crossing over 4000+foot Stevens Pass both ways, .....showed 49MPG on the trip computer as we neared home.

Not only was the MPG higher with the manual, while climbing MORE mountain slopes, our 6 speed manual Elantra, from the factory, has ~ 6% lower gearing than the automatic (in 6th gear), which gives better acceleration & holds a gear better than the automatic, in the mountains. It really feels like the manual Elantra has more power than the 6speed automatic. Are automatic transmission losses great enough to give a seat-of-the-pants feel, as compared to a manual transmission? The automatic Elantra likes to be in 4th while ascending to 4000+ foot Stevens Pass. The manual was equally happy (or a bit more?) to be in 5th gear ascending to Stevens Pass, even with an extra person. I have to test both transmissions to see what rpms (at a given speed) the automatic has in 4th gear, as compared to the rpms (at the same given speed) the manual gives in 5th gear (Yes, I'll do that!!).

[Tahoe_Hybrid]

another issue of high prices is the gas stations making a killer profit here in California they stayed at 4.29 premium fuel over despite even in LA it was less then my area by about 20 cents(same brand) EVEN cheaper if you got the car wash at 3.89(remium fuel)

[litesong]

Originally Posted by Tahoe_Hybrid

another issue of high prices is the gas stations making......

Tho gas has been dropping for a while in the U.S., the eastern Salish Sea(Puget Sound) shows itself to be separate from the rest of country, by holding on to high prices($3.30-$3.50). A few places dropped to $3, with one spot dropping to $2.75. One town had a gasoline war (it was so short, it was really only a skirmish), & prices dropped to $2.55 $ 2.48(even under Idaho prices). But sanity returned to the oil station markets & oil is back up. But I managed to get 34 gallons before the bounce back up. Yeah, yeah, yeah....I know gas in Texas is below $2.

[litesong]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I put over $50 into my wife's minivan the other day.

So many people feel trapped by their local gas prices. This whole thing of "local gas prices" is the oil industry's method of extorting more money than is reasonable from....the "local yokels". Our local gas prices are hanging high, despite a drop in gas prices, nationally. Our local gas prices show I can get 19 gallons for two of our cars for $64. Finally, I said "No, that isn't fair". So I travel.....& get 19 gallons for $52 or $48.

[Fat Charlie]

I have choices, 2 in my town and a few 20 miles away. I buy it when the tank needs it and it fits my schedule. I'm not going to burn gas to save money on gas.

[litesong]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

.....I'm not going to burn gas to save money on gas.

I love to drive through my beautiful Washington state. Don't you have a beautiful place to drive? I make sure that I get cheaper gas, somewhere on my journeys, before returning to my unfortunately high-priced region.

[Fat Charlie]

That's burning gas for enjoyment, and picking up cheaper gas in the process. That's totally cool.

I just don't have time or much pleasure driving, and when I can shift my commuting to more pleasant roads it's for the sanity instead of the gas prices.

[litesong]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

I just don't have time (f?)or much pleasure driving.....

Yes, I highly recommend retirement..... early & before your future plans. First plan is NOT to get killed on your job or other places. I highly recommend NOT getting killed. Best plan is to work at what you enjoy...... hoping that what you enjoy, includes much pleasure driving. Professional landscape photographers would fit in that plan.