MPG, not MPH

05/27/2025

So discouraged, so many more people pass me as I drive the speed limit. I'm looking for ideas, to offer training for people who want to give up their addiction to screaming around our roads ignoring physics, conservation of energy, and realizing they are loaded guns, just looking for someone to hurt or kill.

04/17/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BZNETqJ34/?mibextid=D5vuiz

04/04/2025

Yesterday, I met the one person in Las Vegas (besides me) who has also pledged to drive the speed limit.

When I first hear this from someone, I half expect them (well, maybe ALL expect) the speaker to start making well-thought exceptions, like the usual suspects -- flow of traffic and the cops will think you're doing something wrong, and trying not to be noticed.

However, the person in question never went there, and said he was driving the speed limit or less.

I welcome anyone to try this. If you do, let me know. I'd love to hear your stories.

01/20/2025

I'm still working through getting video stories, but in the meantime, I'm noticing more drivers who are courteous, and obeying the traffic laws. I'm still amazed at how many. people run red lights around here, but it's nice to see not everyone doing that.

I was letting people get in front of me, and my nameless passenger wanted me to keep it up, even though a couple of times I went a little overboard. As I take more family. and friends around, I espouse the benies of being an MPG driver, and maybe I'll change one or two before I die.

Until then, enjoy our 47th president's inauguration, and happy Birthday MLK!!

01/17/2025

I'm gonna race you. BTW, who are you??

Looking at the streets I usually drive on, people drive Mopar cars, muscle cars, and cars that seem to want to go fast. Motorcycles rarely seek MPG as well, and usually go as fast as traffic allows.

Why, you might ask??

Because we have been marketed. We have been bamboozled. Hoodwinked. Fed a sack of lies.

Don't forget, when you watch the new car commercials, don't forget how much speed, handling, and agility play into those commercials. Maybe Subaru doesn't go there as much, but they have the WRX.

So, why race with someone we don't even know? Do we win anything once we get to the stop sign, the red light, or the exit (which will usually have a stop sign or red light)?

I suggest a constant commitment to the speed limit, coasting into stop signs and red lights, and let the gas-guzzling engine cracking crazies cut in front of us.

Unless we like higher auto repair bills, and spending more on gas and tires, give an "MPG" lifestyle a try. I love it, and now I'm mostly amused when I drive anywhere, watching the same stupidity happen over, and over again.

Who knows, maybe enough MPG drivers can peer pressure the others into safe and sane driving.

01/09/2025

This AI thing might not be so bad..

The "best" acceleration curve from a stop to the speed limit is generally considered to be a smooth, gradual increase in acceleration, often described as an "S-curve" profile, where you initially accelerate briskly, then taper off as you approach the desired speed to minimize jerk and maintain control, reaching the speed limit smoothly without sudden changes in acceleration.

Key points about this ideal acceleration curve:

Initial acceleration:
Start with a moderate acceleration to quickly gain speed from a standstill.

Mid-range acceleration:
Gradually increase acceleration to reach the desired acceleration rate, aiming for a consistent and smooth power application.

Tapering off:
As you approach the speed limit, begin to ease off the accelerator to smoothly transition to a constant speed, minimizing the "jerk" at the point of reaching the target speed.

Why is a smooth S-curve acceleration ideal?

Safety:
Minimizing sudden changes in acceleration (jerk) enhances stability and control, especially in slippery conditions.

Efficiency:
Smooth acceleration optimizes fuel economy by preventing unnecessary power surges.

Passenger comfort:
A gradual acceleration curve provides a more comfortable ride for passengers.

Factors to consider when adjusting your acceleration curve:

Road conditions:
Adjust acceleration based on factors like wet or icy roads, requiring a more gentle approach.

Traffic conditions:
If merging or entering a busy road, you may need to accelerate more briskly to reach a safe speed quickly.

Vehicle type:
Different vehicles may have different acceleration characteristics, requiring adjustments to your driving style.

01/06/2025

One more thing.. would you please repost these messages on your feed? Share them in messenger, and I'd love to have more people join in the convo.

01/06/2025

Exits and Red Lights..

Why do we speed up, pass people, when our ultimate goal is a stop, or slow down?

The laws of physics tell us that no matter what our rate is, our displacement will still be the same. Oh, yes, maybe you'll get ahead of one or two cars, but what's the point? 5 seconds? 10 seconds??

I get off near McCarran Airport (still won't call it HR), and the off ramp says 40 mph. The way most people drive it, that sign is written in invisible ink. I slow down to 55, then when I crest the hill, I coast. My fellow drivers cannot get around me fast enough, EVEN WHEN I'M SPEEDING!!

A long time ago, I got a ticket for speeding and running a stop sign. When the citing officer was talking to me, he said, "the funny thing was, that guy was speeding when you passed him." In other words, if I would have been driving the speed limit, and not ran the stop sign, the other guy would have gotten the ticket.

Do you want a ticket for speeding past a speeder? I've stopped that silliness.

So, here's to thinking about coasting to stop signs, coasting to red lights, and coasting off freeway off ramps that have slower speeds than the freeway. Coasting means less gas, less brake wear, and for us hybrid and e-car owners, a little recharge.

Remember, MPG, not MPH..

01/04/2025

What's your hurry?
Looks like many people drive it like they stole it. The funny thing is, I'll see how much faster it is to drive too fast, since my wife and I have separate cars and will drive to and from the same place (don't ask, it's complicated). Almost every time, I arrive a few seconds after my wife, but I have lower blood pressure and heart rate.

I get it, leaving for work late means you have to speed, run stop signs and red lights, and cut off people, all because of your mistake (i.e., leaving five minutes after you should).

Or, does it?

Late for work? An appointment? CHURCH?? We don't get to tell the officer "I was late for work, so please don't give me a ticket."

We don't get to tell the gas station, "I had to burn an extra gallon of gas to get to work today, so please give me a refund."

And we don't get to tell the repair station, "My spark plugs fouled because I was running late for church. Please repair my car at no charge."

Every time we push down the gas pedal (or accelerator pedal for you hybrid/electric vehicle drivers), we choose. Go fast, or go long? MPG, or MPH?

Just think, you can keep all these conversations out of your head, just by driving smooth and driving the speed limit.

01/03/2025

I see the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety is on to this idea, too. We have been force fed speeding autos, and have not been adequately informed about how to drive safely. Think of all the cop movies, war movies, with car chase scenes. Thanks to the author who values quality of life, even life itself, over revving engines, squealing tires, and traffic accidents and deaths.

Performance and adrenaline are commonly used to sell cars, SUVs and pickups, even as speed is implicated in more than 12,000 road deaths a year.

01/03/2025

Col 3:22 NASB95
Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who [merely] please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Lesson 1: We obey God, and we should also obey the laws.

I hope that you never, ever think I'm a "holier than thou" type. I make mistakes. 1John 1:8-9 makes our sin state very clear.

But, I have taken a pledge over the past year, to follow the laws. Full stops at stop signs and stop lights. Drive the speed limit. Stop driving like a road raging maniac. Allow vehicles to pass in front of me.

So, where do we begin to obey the traffic laws? How about speed?

Speed makes your vehicle go. Speed is good if you need to blend into traffic, stay with traffic, and exit traffic. However, too much speed causes almost all accidents, as well as the use extra gas, bearing wear, tires, brakes, you name it.

Now, when was the last time you tried driving near the speed limit, if the traffic wasn't bumper to bumper?

This is the first challenge. Drive at the speed limit, or less.

My one suggestion is this: set you cruise control for the speed limit. My un-cruise-control foot tends to go back to my speeding days.

The speed limit seems less like a limit and more like a suggestion, which usually gets ignored. And, the idea that you can't go the speed limit because of the flow of traffic is bunk. I've been doing it now for over a year, and except for a couple of idiot drivers who want to teach me a lesson (which I never learn, btw), the response has been not horrible.

As gas prices crept up, I started looking for ways to get better mileage on my vehicle. Took off some roof racks, kept the tires inflated, and started a serious prescription for raising my MPG.

The best way to start you MPG not MPH journey is to check your speed. Accelerate from a stop smoothly, coast into red lights, and as best as you can, obey the speed limit. Better gas mileage, better cardiac health, and less stress on the road should be the results.

Sometimes, I watch as people scream past me, as I'm doing the speed limit in the right lane, and wonder if most people still think gas is still a buck a gallon. [shakes my head]

And as the verse above states, obey our masters (aka police, HP, marshals, you get the idea) which leads to benefits and blessings. And, any chance you get to fear God, you draw closer to Him.

LORD, I pray for my friends and family that you protect them on the roads. Allow us to stay alert, watch our speed, and learn how to have less stress, more peace, and more miles on the road ahead for us. Let us use the gifts and treasures You have given us to Your glory, and our benefit. Jesus, thanks for hearing and giving heed to our prayers. Amen.

Tomorrow's post: TV Auto ads and Your Driving Habits