Have gas prices affected you?
 

Has/will the increase in gas prices affect your driving behavior?

Have gas prices affected you?
 

Gas prices have really gone up around here.

I'm more conscious about checking the air pressure in my tires, no more full car loads of people (I own a 4 door), and downshifting to slow down is a no-no.
So glad I drive stick civic :D

Its not affecting me either. The guy who pumped my septic tank today is another matter. His fuel bill has increased a shocking amount but he hasn't passed on the cost to his clints yet, hoping things'll shift.

It is TOTALLY affecting me! Gas here is 2.70/gal., which is, the highest EVER. Last summer the highest I paid was 2.13/gal. and I thought that was outrageous. Now, it's unreal. I do NOT drive unless I MUST. Gas prices are killing volunteer organizations...think about that...mom and pop denied Meals on Wheels due to ever higher gas prices and NObody is reimbursing---they all say, "suck it up"---a lot of us can't do that.

Yes, prices have gone up around me. So far, there has been no impact on my lifestyle. We don't drive that much, and we have a pretty fuel efficient car. Geo Prizm.

One of my buddies in Sweden told me the other day when we were talking about gas prices that he just laughs when Americans complain about gas prices. They're easily double what we pay

It's affected me some. I've gone literally one week on less than a quarter tank of gas because I dread paying to fill it. Granted I live literally 4 minutes from work so I haven't been suffering too much. Or maybe the money is just an excuse to put off a chore that I've always hated. Probably the latter.

(identical threads merged)

I chose two months ago to get a larger, gas guzzlin' vehicle. It's irritating that the new tank is larger than the old one, at the same time prices are up, so while I used to fill for $20 I now fill for $50. It's a jarring experience. But I don't really drive that much overall, so for me the effect is still rather small.

Gas here is currently $1.139 a litre.

That's $4.31 a gallon for all you Yanks.

it's pretty painful to my wallet. the airport is 45 minutes away from my house so i'm limiting my outings out there to saturday and on an as needed basis for sunday. the other day it cost almost $60 to fill my truck. i'm thinking about buying a motorcycle to help the situation.

I try to drive less, but if i drove less than I do now, I would go absolutely stir crazy... MUST LEAVE THE HOUSE. I do try to take the bus when I can or have an extra $2. I am hopefully getting a bike soon so I don't have to drive the car anywhere, I can just ride. I prefer it that way.

I'm pretty stoked that I got rid of my SUV for a SAAB about 4 months back. The SAAB is getting kick-ass mileage. My commute is 46 miles per day, so I go through some gas, I tell ya, but BART and a bus would cost more. Public transportation sucks in Northern California, and in the East Bay in particular.

My 1999 Explorer 4x4 automatic gets approximately 15-16 mpg. These prices are *killing* me. It costs me just about $44.00 to fill my tank completely, and I get about 300 miles per tank. I drove a minimum of 40 miles round trip to work each day, and that wouldn't be so bad, except that I also drive 10 miles minimum per day on work business (reimbursed at a rate of .405 per mile). My outside activities tack at least another 40 miles per day onto my driving on average, so at 90 miles per day, a tank of gas lasts me 3 days and change. That is about 10 tanksful per month, or over $400.00 at present. We have two other cars.

Somewhere, some of Dubya's pals are lighting Cuban cigars with $100 bills, and laughing their asses off at what a bunch of chumps we all are.

I've only been driving for a little over three years, and gas has gone up more than $1.30 in that time. ($1.19 was high right after I started driving. Then it spiked to $1.30 and stayed around there for quite a while.) About $0.50 of that increase has happened in the last month. I just got gas a few days ago at $2.39 (and the next day it went up to $2.49). The last time I'd gotten gas, it was $2.09. The fill-up before that was at $1.99. I don't know, but every time it jumps here, it seems like it's by 10 cents. I'm sure it's gone up to $2.59 by now and I just don't know about it.

No one around me seems too concerned, but I'm a full-time student and I only work part-time over the holidays. So, it costing more than $25 to fill my 11 gal tank is a lot to me. At least I traded in my 17mpg truck two years ago for a 30-32mpg car though. I live that far from university though, so if gas goes up much more, I won't be coming home on every weekend as I have in the past.

I live in a rural area, so there isn't any public transportation, and biking/walking isn't an option. It's 7 miles to the house of the friend who lives nearest to me. And it's 10 miles just to get into "town" and another 10 to get to the city, which is of course where everything is.

In the past year:

--Gas has gone up 60 cents for me (it was around $2/gal a year ago in Philly...it's currently $2.589 in St. Louis)
--I have a new car (2003 Malibu) that is not as fuel-efficient as my old cars (1994 Escort, 1995 Metro)
--I've gotten a delivery job

I put out about $180-200/month in fuel costs. A year ago, I was probably spending about $60-80/month. But I'm not complaining...it's the price I pay to do what I do. I don't like the prices, but we're still not paying as much as we were in 1983. *shrugs*

You beat me to it, syc. People who obsess over gas prices drive me nuts. I have a friend who will drive five miles out of her way to save $0.15 a gallon. Even if she weren't driving any further for that gas, she's only saving $4.50 per fill-up, or $27 a month if she fills up every 5 days. That's less than one meal at a restaurant, or one-fifth of their monthly cable bill.

Gas prices are the epitome of "penny-wise, pound-foolish" to me. I don't even pay attention to the price, ever. It is what it is. McDonald's costs more now than it did a year ago too; it's called inflation. If you need to save money, most people have plenty of other places they could cut back on.

(And not to turn this into a political argument, but "Gas prices are too high!" and "No blood for oil!" are mutually exclusive. You can't bitch about both.)[/threadjack]

I took a V8 Titan this time around for a demo. 60 miles ONE way to work. $52 last night to fill it. With a range of approx 340 miles, that's about 5 1/2 trips to or from work. I'll fill it again Saturday on the way in.

Weep for me.

I'll be taking a 6 speed Sentra SER next time to average out the cost.

what, I won't!?

A reminder...well two reminders. :biggrin:

1- the fuel in your tank not only feeds the engine it's a coolant for the electric fuel pump that's also in the tank. So try not to let the tank get too low, especially in hot weather.

2- You can get gas in Iraq for 10 or 20 cents a gallon. Of course we're buying it in Kuwait for much more and trucking it in at a cost of $millions every month.

Well, here's my vast age showing, but I remember when gas was maybe .35 cents a gallon. Granted, everything else was cheaper back then too, but there's still no way around the fact that gas prices are taking a higher percentage of our money than they used to.

I miss my old Explorer, but it was a gas hog (Patrick, you have my sympathy). My little Toyota RAV that I now drive gets easily double the mileage of the Explorer, thank God!

At $2.00/gal I could buy a week's worth of gas for $30. Prices in my town have now gone up to about $2.70/gal, so I now pay $40.50. That's an extra $42.00 a month. If you are on a tight budget, that $42.00 extra hurts.

People are complaining about gas prices in the U.S. when it is generally three times higher in Europe to the gallon. But they get along fine, don't they? I really hope gas prices continue to rise, even exponentially, because that will finally shock this country into being more enviromentally concious/thoughtful.

2.70 a gallon here as well, also doesn't seem to reduce driving people.

In Europe they have this invention called efficient systems of mass transportation. A lot of 'em use this object of transportation called the "train." Amazing invention that. When I visit my family in Switzerland, the ones who live in the city have electric street cars that stop practically at their doorsteps and run 24/7. The street cars have nice direct routes to the train station. The trains take off ever 10 minutes for everywhere in Switzerland and the rest of Europe that you can imagine, and places that you can't imagine either.

Stuff like that in the US? That will be the day!

I'm happy he wins that contest. He can trump me on gas prices. I Hope he pays 10 times what I pay and enjoys the bragging rights. Crap, 100 times would work for me.

I recently changed jobs. My new job is less than 5 miles from my house; I fuel up once every 2 weeks (or less if I travel little on weekends) vs. twice a week for the old place of employment.

Even with high prices, my fuel costs no longer take a considerable chunk of my after-tax pay.

the thing i hate most about gasoline is that it only has one use... you can't eat it, you can't drink it. I hate paying for things that don't have dual use. Even toilet paper has multiple functions... not just wiping your rear.

Anybody else heard about those guys who are rigging up hybrid cars with a bunch more batteries for +-$6,000, getting an estimated 250 mpg in the process? I can't imagine how paranoid EMT's would be around a wreck with that much juice goin through it.

Yes, I'm really bummed out I used to be able to fill the truck for 50,000Rp = $5.25 but gas here has soared up to 2500Rp/litre = $1.05 a US gallon.
Now it cost's $9.50 for a fillup. I'm going diesel it's cheaper:lol:

There are apparently already protocols in place for cutting hybrid cars to bits with the jaws of life and that really cool big radial saw ...

Originally I'd heard the hybrids were quite dangerous to EMTs, but more recent information seems to indicate that's not entirely the case. If I hear anything further (the EMT who is a firefighter should be in work tomorrow) I'll let you guys know.

I have a car that gets around 18/gallon. While I admit that I seriously miss my 32 MPG sportscar, I am still only filling up two or three times per month. Put it on the gas co. card, throw money at it once a month ... minor, not major impact at this point.

For fuel economy maybe one of these. At

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0144779740...70kwcdi%2epage

There is a sports version


http://www.smart.com/-snm-0144779740...hlights%2epage

And a Roadster

http://www.smart.com/-snm-0144779740...hlights%2epage

Apparently the extra battery guys are just getting extra non-gas miles in order to get to 250 MPG. They plug in at the end of their trip.

So how long do they have to drive it before the recoop the extra $6K for the extra batteries???

Guess that depends on the gas prices in the particular area, and how far/what kind of driving is done. I wonder how all that extra weight affects mileage/performance during regular (non electric) engine operation, the wear on your tires, your brakes, suspension, etc. Car batteries aren't light.

Prices aren't just affecting our driving.

I just got my light bill.

Actual usage: $65

Fuel Adjustment: $75

I want to get one of those bio-diesel cars. There was something in National Geographic about it, it's around 60-80 MPG and it costs about 8 dollars to fill up the car's tank for a month.

Of course not. One need only learn from history. Gas had to go to about $7 per gallon in the late 1970s before people actually changed behaviour.

Meanwhile, people are so foolish as to complain and yet not do anything about it. There is good reason why the US government could give GM something like $100 million in 1994 to build a hybrid - and GM still does not have one 11 years later. Price of gasoline is still quite normal. However too many assumed gasoline at the lowest price levels ever (in the 1980s and early 1990s) is normal. Gasoline in 1970 was about $1.75 per gallon. Any yet only a few years ago, people were complaining when the price was $1.40 per gallon. More examples of silly emotion. Behavior did not change because their complaint had no basis in reality.

Gasoline is still quite cheap. One need only learn from the numbers.

Meanwhile those who think they are saving money at Wawa are again lying to themselves. Gasoline that provides less MPG is not cheaper.

What is the first thing anyone does if they are really concerned about the price of gas? Record every gallon and every mile. Start by learning what is and is not really more expensive; what is and is not really working. Most are not doing this because gasoline is still so cheap.

Surprised there's no UK contribution so far. Thanks to our tax regime we currently are paying £0.90/US$1.62 per LITRE - as there are 3.7854 litres per US Gallon that's equivalent to $6.13 per US gallon. Needless to say I cycle a bit more!

Are you factoring in the fines for buying on an "odd" day when you were an "even"?

$7?

Not even during that month where the gas station reset the pumps for liters instead of gallons because that was the only way they could get the counter to work right (price had exceeded .999) did we pay $7/gallon.

Some of us weren't even alive in 1983!

Is it an excuse to act like one's own situation is the worst it could possibly be and/or ever has been? No. I don't pretend that gas is at its highest ever. I just say that it's the highest it has been in my life.

Of course, I didn't start paying attention to gas prices until my teens, so it has never been under $1 as far as I can recall. So at least that means it has gone up "less" for me than other people. I have $1.19 (the first "high" price I can recall from my senior year) to hold onto; other people have $0.35.

[quote=Neurotica]Some of us weren't even alive in 1983![quote]

The important people were.

:high five:

Awww now, we already have enough of an inferiority complex. We don't need any help from upper generations.

What they probably didn't tell you is how much it really costs to produce bio deisel and the associated subsidies and such.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biodiesel/

Driving one of those shitboxes you would probably be dead before the credit card bill came anyway. :eyebrow:

You've got a lot to learn about human nature and things not always being what they seem. On the up side you've chosen a good place to learn by being here....stick around. :biggrin:

Forget bio-diesel - hydrogen fuel cell technology is advancing, with eco-friendly production of hydrogen from ethanol cost-effectively (derived from sugar beet) - if you want proof then take a look at this prototype bike - ENV (spec available via link to pdf) - looks reasonably interesting.....

Any historical price provided without correction for inflation is how the propagandists 'lie by telling half truths'. In 2005 dollars, gasoline in the late 1970s was about $7 per gallon. Historically, gasoline prices today are not excessive.

Price for gasoline has simply gone back to historically normal prices. Unfortunately, too many don't consider inflation so they can appease their emotional reactions.

As was posted previously, fundamental science demonstrates that hydrogen as a fuel is not possible. Hydrogen has too little energy per pound and requires too much energy to deliver. Basic science numbers demonstrate that hydorgen as a fuel would result in something like 80% loss of energy by the time that fuel gets to the vehicle.

Curious that GM management is pushing hydrogen since GM top management is devoid of technical competance. The realities of science says hydrogen is a lousy fuel for too many reasons. But then GM also created the EV-1. Then outright lies about its numbers such as range. The real world range for EV-1 (the all electric car) was about 60 miles. GM would not even let EV-1 designers use anything but lead acid batteries because GM did not make batteries of other technologies. This is the same GM that says hydrogen is the future? "Fool me once- shame on you. Fool me tens of times ... at what point do I finally get it?"

Hydrogen has other interesting and practical applications. Batteries based upon hydrogen look particularly promising. No other fuel has the energy per pound numbers that petroleum provides. Those numbers damn hydrogen as a totally impractical fuel. Again, seek that recent and previous discussion here about hydrogen.

Nice try, tw, but no cigar:

Okay, so I talked to the fireman.

They treat hybrids exactly the same as they do any other car.

They cut the battery cables and then they hack it to pieces.

in an accadent it is ALWAYS wise to chop the battery leads , DE-ENERGIZE that Mother Fucker !!!! A EMT told me that YEARS ago , and explained that if you de- energize the car it is that much less likely to catch on fire , it made sence to me .

I have done this more than I care to relate !!!!!

I filled up my work truck today , it was running on fumes , 40 gallon tank , $100 + fillup !!
Thank GOD(S) for the company gas card !!!!!!

Will check out the thread you mention, but will also take the risky route of replying first.

Situations change over time. Did you check the links I gave? When there is motivation to do so money gets invested to research and improve. Wars generally do that, but so can extreme eceonomic conditions - North Sea oil wouldn't have happened without the '73 oil crisis which caused the cost of deep-sea wells/drilling to become viable. The structures needed to support this activity were then developed as the cost justified it.

There are lots of other examples like IBM mainframes of the 70's (that required their own dedicated rooms to operate) to PDAs of the 90's. Had you been around in the 70's (were you?) there is no way that you would have agreed that a computer with the same processing power would be available hand-held size within 20 years.

The current developments with the ENV bike (range 100 miles currently and a top speed of 50mph - inventors say this will/can increase), the portable fuel cell pack that goes with it, the hydrogen production unit that is no bigger than a shoe box and also the development of ethanol production from sugar beet, corn, wheat, barley and other crops seem to suggest that this is now heading in the right direction and that the advances mentioned are providing the kick-start needed. And let's not forget the bike is a British invention (is there a way to attach music to these posts - a bit of Elgar might fit nicely at this point?)

Also have a look at this article about a heat and compression driven process plant (damnation - it's American) that has been built and that will turn various items (like old computers and turkey remains) into fuel. Process claims to streamline and accelerate the same processes that our planet takes to produce coal to permit old waste/rubbish to be converted in hours rather than millions of years. At last, a useful home for all those Thanksgiving dinner leftovers!

Will search out earlier Hydrogen discussion now - can you point me in the right direction?

$100?? I'm paying equivalent of $100 every time I fill up my Audi A4 with 15 gallons here in good old Blighty (all right, I do get a bit more than 8 to the gallon - nearer 30, but it still smarts!)

So, future Harleys wil say po-tat-o, po-tat-o when they need fuel? :lol:

Harleys say po-tarht-o, Triumphs say Po-tayt-o.

BTW I work in the area of the shipping market that moves vegoils and chems in bulk. The amount of ethanol moving now is well on the increase. Palm oils of the quality to create bio-fuels are also going the same way. As usual when the market gets over excited about a new use for its commodities, it over-reacts, as was the case last winter, and so there are still plenty of stocks of the stuff in north west Europe storage (sourced mainly from S.America and Far East for Palm oils). Reports of heavy government investment in Europe and the States in all such areas of alternative energy probably has a lot to do with the bubble that's arisen

The higher gas costs here in Cincinnati have my attention but only becuase of the effect that they have on the majority of people here.

For me personally it's just been another nudge to start riding my bike again and the benefits have been both quickly realized and worth the extra effort.

I normally make my 10 mile round trip ride to work and back 3-5 times a week and if the weather is good, an extra 10 or 20 miles on the weekend.

For all practical purposes of description, I sit in a cold dark office staring at a computer screen during the day for 8-11 hours....then come home to a cold dark room and sit in front of a computer for a few hours after that. If there is someone that could use a little time unplugged, that would be me. I dont watch TV and would prefer not to **ever** have to go outdoors. :blush:

It's not easy getting the extra BS around to bike to work in the morning and dealing with the weather and the traffic. It has certainly improved my overall outlook though and now I can feel the difference through the day when I drive the car to work.

The truth is that I have not seen many people riding their bikes around instead of driving, and that would include the people at work with high end bikes even though they dont live far away. There is a man in our department that regularly goes to the bike trails after work and on the weekends to pedal away 50-100 miles at a time. He also drives a SRV. I don't get it. I suppose it's just too much of a nerd alarm that one is actually riding a bike to work instead of driving.

I guess I just dont give a crap about being cool and see all the benefits of saving gas money to spend it on pizza. :)

Because riding a bike on the street is dangerous. :eyebrow:

That may be. But I promise not to hurt any of the other drivers with my .44 unless they are threatening my life. :)

There's the solution to the high price of fuel, Slang. Drive the car, take the .44 to the station. Tell 'em its the S&W discount... :worried:

Good idea Elspode. When I escape and take over your country, your life will not only be spared but you shall be installed as the Minister of Spiritual music. :gift:


Might I suggest another solution? Invade a country that has plenty of untapped oil and control it's reserves while pretending to free it's people from a nice patient, loving family man like me.

That should just about solve entire problem.

Actually, last I checked, Slang is not a fan of S&W due to their government pandering.