Random pics and travels

Hi all--

I will be posting anything that I see, hear, or notice. Preferably with the Prius in it, of course.

A bit of background: 2007 with 56k miles, touring wheels and varying tint on the windows.




This was taken the day after I bought it. I was appalled to learn the tires were at ~32 PSI all around! No wonder I was getting less than 50 MPG. They're at 60 all around now.





If tired old eyes can't read the sign, it says "Parking for low emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles only." Best parking spot in the house. I love it, but it may have the counterproductive effect of added pounds when I walk less

 

The old GM plant in Moraine, Ohio. It shocks and appalls me that GM got $50 billion in taxpayer dollars, is posting record profits because the government allows the "new" GM to write off the losses from the "old" GM - in effect, GM pays no taxes. And for their trouble, they closed the plant, throwing thousands out of work.With that $50 billion in taxpayer dollars, they could have easily converted and retooled the plant from producing SUV's and trucks to more fuel efficient cars.





Getting some great fuel economy by holding Super Highway Mode

 

The "buy gas now, damnit" flashing pip came on a few days ago, so I had to give in and fill it up. But I did get quite a few miles out of that tank of gas.





This.... sucks.

Mercifully, this wasn't me. Has anyone, ever since they've bought a Prius, found themselves going to the gas station for reasons other than gas - such as beer, convenience store, car wash, etc... but not buy gas? This was one such day for me. And I noticed this had burned a hole in some guy's wallet.

 

Hi schorert--

I noticed you live in Mass, according to your profile. To quote one of my professors last semester, "the typical Boston driver feels the need to average about 78 miles per hour and stay within four inches of the vehicle in front of them. So, it's necessary for Chase Precast [a construction company] to place concrete freeway dividers along Route 128 to protect the drivers from... the gestures... of each other."




With regards to pictures, not much to report. Did get a chance to walk around a bit and enjoy the nice weather. Burned no gas

 

Hi Kamikaze--

One of these days (preferably sooner than later) I'm going to try and do a controlled test and prove that PSI=MPG.

Although hardly scientific, I got about 45 MPG when driving the car from where I'd bought it (AutoBeYours.com) home, a trip of almost four hours. It immediately jumped into the low 50's without me changing my driving style one bit. Now, with some hypermiling it's closer to 60 MPG, and I've had the tires at 60 PSI all around.

The tires are rated for 51 PSI max sidewall. I've seen cars with their tires pressed up as high as 80 PSI without any negative effects unless you count the damaged spine from hitting even the slightest of potholes.

 

Probably borderline FHoPol, but I just have to show off this bumper sticker.






This was taken today. Even when driving on the highway, the outside temperature never dropped below 104.