Gas Saving Tips For Feds

[Buster]

your E85 is a terrible crime pushed on the amercian people. Its a negative fuel
Our preliminary E85 fuel economy estimates came out 20-25 percent lower than the Tahoe's 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway rating on gasoline.

So to put in simpler terms..

You may pay less per gallon at the pump for Ethanoil, but you'll be back more often to fill up, because your mileage will suck...So acutally you will be spending more over the course of a driving month or year.

Did I get that right?

 

[James48843]

So to put in simpler terms..

You may pay less per gallon at the pump for Ethanoil, but you'll be back more often to fill up, because your mileage will suck...So acutally you will be spending more over the course of a driving month or year.

Did I get that right?

In a 2007 Tahoe, that's right. 20% fewer miles per gallon. That's because a 2007 Tahoe is built and designed with gasoline in mind. It's not optimized for ethanol. 12 MPG? Well, a Tahoe certainly isn't the environmetnally concious's first choice of vehicles there, is it?


Do the same test with a new Turbo Buick Regal. The engine in a turbo Buick Regal is a direct-injected turbo-charged setup, that expereince has shown gets about 5% fewer miles per gallon, not 20% fewer miles per gallon. That's a lot better all the way around.


If the price of ethanol is 15% cheaper, then you'd need a 15% drop in MPG or less in order to make it financially better off out of your pocket.

But there is more at stake than just what is costs out of your pocket.

When you buy gasoline, you are sending your money from your back pocket, into the bank account of the oil companies, and ultimatly into the bank account of Osama bin Laden and his buddies. Or at least a portion of it.

When you buy E85, you are putting most of that money into the pockets of American farmers instead.


Your choice- who do you want your money going to?

Middle-east Shieks?

Or Mid-west farmers?

 

[WorkFE]

Your choice- who do you want your money going to?

Middle-east Shieks?

Or Mid-west farmers?

Middle-east Shieks might not be gettin shiek once all the protesting is over.:nuts:

 

[alevin]

I'll give you that one with the E-15 working ok for the newer stuff. On the other hand what about those of us driving older stuff like my 95 Honda Civic. Myself personally can thank my current and future level of prosperity on driving old cars and keeping them going myself for the most part. I plow all that car payment and extra insurance money right into my TSP. I know I am the unusual case but still there is a large segment of us out there especially these days who value those old cars.

if it's going to be E 15 then that's all it's going to be period just for logistical and practical reasons.

Anyways, I just thought I would toss that perspective out there. I can rig mine to deal with it or get something newer but I would sure feel sorry for the poor slob trying to survive on unemployment ect whose old only source of transportation died. .

Totally agree w/you Driz. My 1995 nissan pu has srved me well for past 11 years. I need reliable transportation too, and have been plowing $ not spent on car payments into tsp, home insulation and a new roof last year. I'm not ready to buy another vehicle, dont want to, dont need to. I wont use E15 in my rig as it is for fear of damage that would strand me somewhere far from home-its a long ways between towns out here.

It it goes E85 way, i'll be knockin on your thread asking how/what to retrofit.

 

[Minnow]

Ethanol is CHEAP!!! CHEAP!!! CHEAP!!! .... and good for you, too!!!

 

[Scout333]

Enjoy it-but its poison to a real engine like an LT1.
We will be drilling soon enough. the Green energy is MIA.

Ethanol is really tough on boat motors, lawn tractors, etc. My boat mechanic says its the effect on gaskets (eats them up) not so much the effect on the motors. If you try you can still find no-ethanol gas in our area. He believes its worth the effort.

 

[Valkyrie]

In a 2007 Tahoe, that's right. 20% fewer miles per gallon. That's because a 2007 Tahoe is built and designed with gasoline in mind. It's not optimized for ethanol. 12 MPG? Well, a Tahoe certainly isn't the environmetnally concious's first choice of vehicles there, is it?


Do the same test with a new Turbo Buick Regal. The engine in a turbo Buick Regal is a direct-injected turbo-charged setup, that expereince has shown gets about 5% fewer miles per gallon, not 20% fewer miles per gallon. That's a lot better all the way around.


If the price of ethanol is 15% cheaper, then you'd need a 15% drop in MPG or less in order to make it financially better off out of your pocket.

But there is more at stake than just what is costs out of your pocket.

When you buy gasoline, you are sending your money from your back pocket, into the bank account of the oil companies, and ultimatly into the bank account of Osama bin Laden and his buddies. Or at least a portion of it.

When you buy E85, you are putting most of that money into the pockets of American farmers instead.


Your choice- who do you want your money going to?

Middle-east Shieks?

Or Mid-west farmers?

so u are the liberal type that only reads or hears what u want to, so u can stay with the liberal/communist agenda.
from the link it was a vehicle designed for E85
"Using a flexible-fuel 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT"

and it takes plenty of diesel fuel and motor oil to make that corn, so if u don't want your money going to the shieks and oil companies u better stop driving all together. just about all of the clothing on your back and all the plastic u use, like the computer u use everyday is made from oil. so stop living and move back to the 1700 to 1800s to avoid what u propose. Please stop being so clueless.

http://www.zuko.com/Inexplicable/Thought_Provoking_Ethanol.asp

 

[nnuut]

Need I say more?:suspicious:

View attachment 10658
http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redirectto=http://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/index.asp

 

[Afishegg]

so u are the liberal type that only reads or hears what u want to, so u can stay with the liberal/communist agenda.
from the link it was a vehicle designed for E85
"Using a flexible-fuel 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LT"

and it takes plenty of diesel fuel and motor oil to make that corn, so if u don't want your money going to the shieks and oil companies u better stop driving all together. just about all of the clothing on your back and all the plastic u use, like the computer u use everyday is made from oil. so stop living and move back to the 1700 to 1800s to avoid what u propose. Please stop being so clueless.

http://www.zuko.com/Inexplicable/Thought_Provoking_Ethanol.asp

I agree...(except for calling him a liberal with a communist agenda.) Everything (it seems) that we use in our everyday lives uses oil somewhere in its manufacture process. This world is totally dependant on oil, and after umpteen decades building our entire way of life/systems around it, the call in the last few years to "ALL OF A SUDDEN" move away from "oil" seems to me to be very illogical and unreasonable call to heed; HOW!?!?, are you gonna undo decades and decades of dependancy on oil in a few years (even 20 years is very short minded) I honestly think we are going to face some very hard days ahead before we could ever move to another "system".....it just AINT THAT EASY, ...as they say.

 

[Buster]

I agree...(except for calling him a liberal with a communist agenda.) .

What was it, the "Agenda" part?:laugh:

 

[Valkyrie]

I agree...(except for calling him a liberal with a communist agenda.) Everything (it seems) that we use in our everyday lives uses oil somewhere in its manufacture process. This world is totally dependant on oil, and after umpteen decades building our entire way of life/systems around it, the call in the last few years to "ALL OF A SUDDEN" move away from "oil" seems to me to be very illogical and unreasonable call to heed; HOW!?!?, are you gonna undo decades and decades of dependancy on oil in a few years (even 20 years is very short minded) I honestly think we are going to face some very hard days ahead before we could ever move to another "system".....it just AINT THAT EASY, ...as they say.

That is not what I wrote or wanted to imply, I wrote that he is a liberal type, "Following" the liberal/communist and one can add marxist/socialist agenda. Just another confuse american who has never studied the papers the founding fathers wrote and their own comments.

modified my 4x4 truck so now it gets 22-23 hwy verses epa rated 19 hwy.
commute on my motorcycle 25F plus weather as long as there is no ice/snow or heavy rain, 37-39 avg, 47-50 hwy, second bike a DR200 EPA rated 105 mpg city. All would be 3% better mpg without E10. truck has 22 gal tank, motorcycle has 7 gal tank, Dr200 has 3.4 gal tank. I'm ready for the gas rationing. better mpg to come after I use my ceramic coating on the exhaust pipes.

http://www.gassavers.org/index.php
http://ecomodder.com/
http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/car_aerodynamics/#Body pan notes:
http://cumminsengines.com/assets/pdf/Secrets of Better Fuel Economy_whitepaper.pdf

 

[FAB1]

I have two big GM 5.7L monster station wagons.

Also two Buick Reattas, smaller, better gas mileage.

I'll keep driving all of them. I'll pay the price. At least at the
prices they are driving for there will be PLENTY of gasoline
for me.

:toung:

 

[driz]

Hey, if you want to save gas try what some of them at my workplace do, Carpool. I personally don't participate but I have to say it is funny to watch these guys trying to hook up to get out the door sometimes. We call them "The Car Pool Mafia". They are always trying to maneuver around so as to get as close together as possible. It's quite a comedy, just like a reality tv show.:embarrest:

 

[Boghie]

So much snark...
I love it...

Anyway, here is a real fuel economy and engine performance tip.

• Buy and install a K&N Air Filter.
• Even better, buy and install a K&N Air Intake.

Here is the website...

You will notice an IMMEDIATE improvement in both performance and mpg.

 

[Frixxxx]

Hey, if you want to save gas try what some of them at my workplace do, Carpool. I personally don't participate but I have to say it is funny to watch these guys trying to hook up to get out the door sometimes. We call them "The Car Pool Mafia". They are always trying to maneuver around so as to get as close together as possible. It's quite a comedy, just like a reality tv show.:embarrest:

I work 50-60 hours a week, no carpool buddies! I ride my motorcycle and I am happy that I live where I do to make it possible to ride almost 90% of the time.....But for some reason I can't get anybody into my rideshare program coming in @ 6 and leaving @ 6....hmmmm:laugh:

 

[driz]

So much snark...
I love it...

Anyway, here is a real fuel economy and engine performance tip.

• Buy and install a K&N Air Filter.
• Even better, buy and install a K&N Air Intake.

Here is the website...

You will notice an IMMEDIATE improvement in both performance and mpg.[/QUOT



Ah, not quite. I have had a couple of em including now. About all you are going to get is 1 mpg if that and it's on the higher end of that with a super pig and much less if its a small motor rig. Same goes for all that power. If you try hard enough you might just persuade yourself to feel it. Sort of reminds me of that "Smilin Bob little blue pill" Enzite ad I got bombarded with all night long on Sat tv for years. Keep whistlin that little tune in your head and you might believe it eventually yourself and get that twisted little smirk goin like old Smilin Bob:cheesy:. The most cost effective way to get one is wait till your paper one is up for replacement and get one off Fleabay then sell it there again when you trade or scrap your car. You can get used ones on Fleabay too and clean them up with the $20 recharge kit which will last you a decade or more. They are supposed to last a gazillon miles anyways.
If you are going to do anything pump up your tires some and drive it as close to 2000 rpm's as you can manage. That works out to around 50 MPH in most and you are gonna get laughed at. Do that on a freeway and someone might come along and offer to give you a push but here in Rockeaterville at night no one will notice. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone. In more reasonable terms just cut out one useless trip to the sub shop or Wallyworld to view the Cretins on the 1st of the month ect and you will probably find yourself right back where you were. Also replace those super fat tires on your pick em up truck or sporte ute with thinner ones when they wear out.

 

[pokerstar629]

I totally agree, I installed an AEM intake on my Honda s2000 5 years ago and it did make my car go faster, but I was using more gas as the extra power did make me wanna go faster. It was an amazing car, I could downshift to 3rd gear going 80mph. Got rid of the car because it was a police magnet.

 

[wwwtractor]

I am still driving my Honda Insight CVT 2001 and getting excellent mileage with a maximum reached of 70.9 miles per gallon over 100 miles back and forth to work.

http://www.delicious.com/wwwtractor/insight/

 

[PessOptimist]

Gas Saving Tips For Everyone

Interesting advice about getting the rest of us to pay you to drive to work.

The same thing works if you are going to be on travel status all week, get paid POV mileage for the ride in Monday and the ride home at the end of the week. Never made sense to me but then I am one of the few in my work unit that never travels. Most of my coworkers depart Monday in their GSA vehicles and come back at the end of the week.

I like the 4-10s thing though I have no choice and do sometimes curse the 6AM-4:30PM day. Every Friday morning I am quite pleased with the schedule.

Oh, the gas saving tip. When possible, turn off the engine when waiting at stop lights. I emphasize when possible meaning when safe and if the red light is a long one. Maybe that should be when prudent.

This only works if you have a lot of stop lights on your commute. It is better if you are familiar with the traffic light patterns. Some of the red lights on my commute are 2.5 minutes. Some are much less.

You also have to have faith in your battery. Out here they have a tendency to fail catastrophically without warning.

Most vehicles on the road today start pretty much instantly. You do have to pay attention. Stop, put it in N, (assuming you are the 90 something % with automatic) shut off the key, when engine stops turn key back to ON. This keeps all accessories like directional lights on. If you can see the opposing traffic light, when it goes amber, start engine. Apply brake and shift to D. If you are far enough back in line so you can't see the opposing light, watch for the light to turn green, you will have plenty of time to start the engine and shift to D.

Pay attention, I have had times when I started up and pushed the gas while still in N. Usually when the car immediately in front started moving and I was in engine off mode. If you do this and shift to D so as not to inconvenience the person behind you leaning on the horn, you may leave more of your tires on the road than you intended. But it might impress someone.

Your Mileage May Vary but I have noticed that I can increase my daily MPG and overall per tank MPG using this method. Especially if I get caught at the RR crossing at the UP switch yard near work. Those guys can and do legally block the road for up to 15 minutes.

Off topic somewhat as I think this thread started out as how to get the .gov to pay for your gas. Saving fuel will save you money.Maybe we need a thread about saving fuel instead of getting all of us to pay for your fuel? We are a very diversified MB.

Disclaimer: if any of the above terms like engine, key, off; traffic light, driving etc confuse you, don't try this. Just carry on as usual but try to pay some attention to driving and stay in your lane while texting, eating, reading etc.

 

[EmoDx]

Re: Gas Saving Tips For Everyone

Interesting advice about getting the rest of us to pay you to drive to work.

The same thing works if you are going to be on travel status all week, get paid POV mileage for the ride in Monday and the ride home at the end of the week. Never made sense to me but then I am one of the few in my work unit that never travels. Most of my coworkers depart Monday in their GSA vehicles and come back at the end of the week.

I like the 4-10s thing though I have no choice and do sometimes curse the 6AM-4:30PM day. Every Friday morning I am quite pleased with the schedule.

Oh, the gas saving tip. When possible, turn off the engine when waiting at stop lights. I emphasize when possible meaning when safe and if the red light is a long one. Maybe that should be when prudent.

This only works if you have a lot of stop lights on your commute. It is better if you are familiar with the traffic light patterns. Some of the red lights on my commute are 2.5 minutes. Some are much less.

You also have to have faith in your battery. Out here they have a tendency to fail catastrophically without warning.

Most vehicles on the road today start pretty much instantly. You do have to pay attention. Stop, put it in N, (assuming you are the 90 something % with automatic) shut off the key, when engine stops turn key back to ON. This keeps all accessories like directional lights on. If you can see the opposing traffic light, when it goes amber, start engine. Apply brake and shift to D. If you are far enough back in line so you can't see the opposing light, watch for the light to turn green, you will have plenty of time to start the engine and shift to D.

Pay attention, I have had times when I started up and pushed the gas while still in N. Usually when the car immediately in front started moving and I was in engine off mode. If you do this and shift to D so as not to inconvenience the person behind you leaning on the horn, you may leave more of your tires on the road than you intended. But it might impress someone.

Your Mileage May Vary but I have noticed that I can increase my daily MPG and overall per tank MPG using this method. Especially if I get caught at the RR crossing at the UP switch yard near work. Those guys can and do legally block the road for up to 15 minutes.

Off topic somewhat as I think this thread started out as how to get the .gov to pay for your gas. Saving fuel will save you money.Maybe we need a thread about saving fuel instead of getting all of us to pay for your fuel? We are a very diversified MB.

Disclaimer: if any of the above terms like engine, key, off; traffic light, driving etc confuse you, don't try this. Just carry on as usual but try to pay some attention to driving and stay in your lane while texting, eating, reading etc.

I'm not sure of the circumstance, but a federal employee can not use a GOV/GSA lease for travel to and from work. This is because you are not supposed to have the vehicle at the hose. But, as I learned when I the Officer in Charge of LORAN Station Searchlight, you could find ways around this law.

The Station was 55 miles from housing one way. Talk about an expensive commute. But we took the GOV's. The vehicles were are the Bureau of Land Management in Boulder CIty. We would drive to the BLM in POV's, about a 3 minute commute. Then drive the GOV's to the Station and Back to the BLM. THis was considered a Coast Guard mission as the entire station used the vehicles daily, there was a memorandum of agreement to keep the vehicles at a federal installation, and no one person kept the keys every day. The 2 duty personnel held the keys and the keys rotated weekly.

If your situation is similar and the unit can pay for the mileage for operational reasons, then this may be a good option. PM me for details.

- Emo