Getting Better Milage

Now short of running out to buy the last remaining Honda Civic Hybrids on the lot you might be wondering what you can do to save gas in a shortage. Here are a few ideas at Edmunds that can help. A few other ideas:

• Don't start the engine until you are ready to move. Letting the engine run while you are fiddling with things just wastes fuel.
  
• Do the same at the end of your trip. As soon as you park cut off the engine before reaching for items you want to take out of the car.
  
• Cut off your engine when waiting at Rail Road crossings or other places where you will be idle for more than a minute.
  

Turns out the damage done by Katrina may be worse than I thought. Gas is already at $3.00 or higher a gallon; much higher in some places. Tonight I learned that 90% of the gasoline supply to my state has been temporarily disrupted by Katrina.

Even though the most extreme disruptions are likely to last only for a week or so, there are still going to be supply problems that will likely keep prices over $3 for a while. Perhaps this brush with European gas prices will lead to the commercialization of autos like the one inspired by the boxfish. Or the introduction in the US of cars like the Citroen in yesterday's posting.

In the early 1990's I had a friend with a 4 door Ford that got over 40 MPG. Have you tried finding a car today that can get 40 MPG in the US market? Its not an option unless you go with a hybrid or VW diesel. But it shouldn't have to be that way, I should be able to get a car that breaks 40 MPG without being as exotic as a hybrid.