Shifting gears

[texastoast]

I spent some time driving today, looking for the perfect scooter.

Admitted, I'm driving slower now trying to save gas. Not using my AC in the car. Many would think that in Houston in June driving around without an AC is just NUTS. How could anyone survive?

I did. I'm still here after about two hours driving without the AC on. Made it. Inspired by all those folks who lived and worked in Houston for 100 years without an AC.

While I was driving, I observed all the folks flying past me (I drove the speed limit). I caught up with most of them at the next red light after they had spent 400-500 feet slamming on their brakes (wasting fuel to kinetic energy). (I braked about 100 feet and sometimes none.)

I thought it worthy of shaking my head when I caught up with two different cars that had passed me 10 minutes earlier on the freeway at the exit where I turn off to head to the house. Just think, if they had left 90 seconds earlier, they might have actually beat me home.

90 seconds. Is it worth it in mileage?

[pt22]

1. Unless you're driving with all the windows closed, you're wasting more gas

than if you run the a/c.

edit: probably should have said "using" rather than "wasting"

[Jed Dilligan]

2. Depends on the car.

[pt22]

3. What kind of car would that not be true of?

...

[Jed Dilligan]

5. An old or crappy one with poor aerodynamic design.

[texastoast]

4. That's one of the big myths

And I've proven it myself by checking my mileage. At highway speeds (over 50), it's better with the windows up, but not around town.

[pt22]

6. Uh huh.

...