6 ways to lower gas prices
#2
05-10-2007, 08:21 PM
Diesel Bomber
Am I the only one that read and hears everyday about the oil companies "record profits" every quarter"? I don't think it would matter if fuel was $10 a gallon, I'm out here on the road everyday, all over the country, and even when it was four dollars, people are still out ridin around all day, doin nothin but causing traffic jams. I remember when it was four dollars, going to Florida and saw nothing but campers, rv's and boats gettin towed and driven down the road hard as they could go. The only ones they are hurtin is the poor people and the poor truckers like me
#3
05-11-2007, 08:21 AM
Diesel Wrench
a dozen books could be written on decreasing gas and fuel usage. covering everything from increasing the use of our rail systems to car pooling, using mass transit, to having people move back to the cities and force them to walk to work or ride a bike.... a nation wide study i recently read did show that the homes people buy are 5 to 10% closer to their work place than the homes they bought 10 years ago...
the author below thinks the government should mandate fuel efficiency, while i think it's a societal issue, and a life style issue. i hope to see changes made in my life time but i'm not holding my breath..
================================================== ======
this fuel efficiency guide is for class 8s but most of these ideas will work on our trucks....
Fuel Economy
Bob Weber, chief engineer for Class 8 vehicles at International Truck & Engine Corp., says fleets can improve their fuel economy numbers by adhering to the following spec'ing and operating suggestions:
Slow down; use speed governors. “Speed is the largest factor in fuel efficiency because aerodynamic drag forces go up exponentially with vehicle speed,” he says. International offers a programmable option on its engines called Vehicle Speed Limiting (VLS) that caps how fast the truck can travel. Slowing down from 70 to just 60 mph using VLS could yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Spec a fuel-efficient engine. Though engine selection is a matter of personal preference, fleets should be aware of engine-specific fuel consumption patterns.
Gear vehicles to cruise speed. Spec the transmission final drive ratio, axle ratio and tire size to match the OEM-recommended engine rpms for your highway cruising speed. Powertrain optimization can yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Spec roof deflectors. These are particularly beneficial for tractors hauling tall trailers and operating at speeds of 45 mph and above. Estimated annual fuel savings is 10%.
Spec low rolling resistance tires. Assuming optimal tire pressure, they can yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Reduce engine idling. A number of idle reduction solutions are available, including programmed engine shutdown, fuel-fired heaters, and electric air-conditioners.
Spec an automated transmission. Can result in fuel economy savings of 5%.
Spec low engine speeds. Setting engine cruising speed at 1,800 rpm rather than 2,100 will enable the engine to operate more efficiently, thus improving fuel economy about 5%.
Specify cab side extenders. For tractors hauling-sided trailers traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, the addition of cab side extenders can improve fuel economy 3%.
Monitor tire pressure weekly. Could cut your fuel costs by up to 3% a year.
Spec chassis skirts. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, skirts can offer about 3% in fuel savings annually.
Spec a direct-drive transmission: With a final drive ratio equaling 1.0, this can save 2% a year in fuel costs.
Spec aerodynamic mirrors. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, aerodynamic mirrors will provide about 1% to 2% fuel savings annually.
Spec a bumper dam. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 65 mph and above, a $150 bumper dam can improve fuel economy 1.5 %.
for our pickups:
tonneau covers and camper shells both can improve the aerodynamic efficiency...
the right tailgate spoiler can also help.
improving air intake and exhaust system will also improve mpgs...
a very small improvement in mpgs could result from using HID headlights that use half the current drain requiring your alternator to work less.....
lastly don't let your wife or your dog stick their head out the window while driving a highway speeds
================================================== ====
if any of the below statements are true,
then, why is it that no one in the U.S. is modifying our current inventory of trailers.....clearly i'm missing something.....
* Aerodynamically redesigning a truck cab can be made to reduce fuel costs by 7.5%, and aerodynamically redesigning the trailer as well reduces costs by a further 7%
* With the latest refinements to the design, it looks likely to bring the overall saving figure up to 20%
http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/arti...-truckers.aspx
the author below thinks the government should mandate fuel efficiency, while i think it's a societal issue, and a life style issue. i hope to see changes made in my life time but i'm not holding my breath..
2 - Increase efficiency
Lawmakers are instead focusing on raising vehicle efficiency standards, which have remained basically stagnant for over two decades.
On Wednesday, a Senate committee approved a bill raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 from the current 27.5 miles per gallon.
It's a move that, all else being equal, could shave 3 million barrels of oil a day off the nation's current 24 million barrel a day habit, said Callahan.
Greenest cars
The auto industry lobbied hard against the bill, saying it would be expensive for business, with domestic manufacturers already being on life support.
And environmentalists are peeved the bill contains wording to lift the mandate if it does indeed prove too expensive.
But Callahan believes this Congress will pass something raising fuel efficiency standards.
Lawmakers are instead focusing on raising vehicle efficiency standards, which have remained basically stagnant for over two decades.
On Wednesday, a Senate committee approved a bill raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 from the current 27.5 miles per gallon.
It's a move that, all else being equal, could shave 3 million barrels of oil a day off the nation's current 24 million barrel a day habit, said Callahan.
Greenest cars
The auto industry lobbied hard against the bill, saying it would be expensive for business, with domestic manufacturers already being on life support.
And environmentalists are peeved the bill contains wording to lift the mandate if it does indeed prove too expensive.
But Callahan believes this Congress will pass something raising fuel efficiency standards.
this fuel efficiency guide is for class 8s but most of these ideas will work on our trucks....
Fuel Economy
Bob Weber, chief engineer for Class 8 vehicles at International Truck & Engine Corp., says fleets can improve their fuel economy numbers by adhering to the following spec'ing and operating suggestions:
Slow down; use speed governors. “Speed is the largest factor in fuel efficiency because aerodynamic drag forces go up exponentially with vehicle speed,” he says. International offers a programmable option on its engines called Vehicle Speed Limiting (VLS) that caps how fast the truck can travel. Slowing down from 70 to just 60 mph using VLS could yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Spec a fuel-efficient engine. Though engine selection is a matter of personal preference, fleets should be aware of engine-specific fuel consumption patterns.
Gear vehicles to cruise speed. Spec the transmission final drive ratio, axle ratio and tire size to match the OEM-recommended engine rpms for your highway cruising speed. Powertrain optimization can yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Spec roof deflectors. These are particularly beneficial for tractors hauling tall trailers and operating at speeds of 45 mph and above. Estimated annual fuel savings is 10%.
Spec low rolling resistance tires. Assuming optimal tire pressure, they can yield fuel savings of up to 10% a year.
Reduce engine idling. A number of idle reduction solutions are available, including programmed engine shutdown, fuel-fired heaters, and electric air-conditioners.
Spec an automated transmission. Can result in fuel economy savings of 5%.
Spec low engine speeds. Setting engine cruising speed at 1,800 rpm rather than 2,100 will enable the engine to operate more efficiently, thus improving fuel economy about 5%.
Specify cab side extenders. For tractors hauling-sided trailers traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, the addition of cab side extenders can improve fuel economy 3%.
Monitor tire pressure weekly. Could cut your fuel costs by up to 3% a year.
Spec chassis skirts. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, skirts can offer about 3% in fuel savings annually.
Spec a direct-drive transmission: With a final drive ratio equaling 1.0, this can save 2% a year in fuel costs.
Spec aerodynamic mirrors. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 45 mph and above, aerodynamic mirrors will provide about 1% to 2% fuel savings annually.
Spec a bumper dam. For vehicles traveling at speeds of 65 mph and above, a $150 bumper dam can improve fuel economy 1.5 %.
for our pickups:
tonneau covers and camper shells both can improve the aerodynamic efficiency...
the right tailgate spoiler can also help.
improving air intake and exhaust system will also improve mpgs...
a very small improvement in mpgs could result from using HID headlights that use half the current drain requiring your alternator to work less.....
lastly don't let your wife or your dog stick their head out the window while driving a highway speeds
================================================== ====
if any of the below statements are true,
then, why is it that no one in the U.S. is modifying our current inventory of trailers.....clearly i'm missing something.....
* Aerodynamically redesigning a truck cab can be made to reduce fuel costs by 7.5%, and aerodynamically redesigning the trailer as well reduces costs by a further 7%
* With the latest refinements to the design, it looks likely to bring the overall saving figure up to 20%
http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/arti...-truckers.aspx
Last edited by Maj Easy; 05-11-2007 at 11:22 AM.
#4
05-11-2007, 08:40 AM
Diesel Wrench
Am I the only one that read and hears everyday about the oil companies "record profits" every quarter"? I don't think it would matter if fuel was $10 a gallon, I'm out here on the road everyday, all over the country, and even when it was four dollars, people are still out ridin around all day, doin nothin but causing traffic jams. I remember when it was four dollars, going to Florida and saw nothing but campers, rv's and boats gettin towed and driven down the road hard as they could go. The only ones they are hurtin is the poor people and the poor truckers like me
compare the average fuel efficiency improvement of all the new cars produced in the last 5 years versus the average fuel efficiency improvement of trucks during the same period......
the trucking industry has not and is not doing their job....
i refuse to feel sorry for some trucker that has a huge chrome air cleaner hanging out of his cab.....how much fuel is being waisted with just that one stupid design...... why are truckers still allowing exhaust pipes to be installed along side of the cab?????don't they know that behind the cab would save them money???
#5
05-11-2007, 09:54 AM
Diesel Wrench
http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/10/news/economy/lower_gas_prices/index.htm?postversion=2007051013
6 ways to lower gas prices
From a big fat tax to more efficiency to boosting production, there are ways to do it - but which really stand a chance?
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
May 10 2007: 6:43 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In a free market economy, there are two basic ways to bring down the price of a product - increase supply or cut demand.
So with the nationwide average price of gasoline over $3 a gallon, and at record highs according to some surveys, what can be done to lessen gas consumption or bring more to market?
1 - Pass a carbon tax
passing a carbon tax might work, but i don't want to give the money to the poor....i would prefer investing in and improving battery technology, also i would like to see us catch up to the U.K. in the use of electric trucks....i would like to see more home wind turbines as is done in holland....then we could charge our electric cars with free wind energy...
2 - Increase efficiency---see above reply #3.
3 - Push alternatives
the alternatives i'm interested in are CNG, home compressed NG (already in use in one small calif. town)
4 - Require oil companies to make more gas
the author is extra stupid suggesting this......i thought we had a free market here the U.S......the last thing i want is the government telling business what to do....
5 - Build a gasoline reserve
Ditto same answer as #4
6 - Drill for more oil....
i agree with this.....and if the oil companies want to drill in my back yard, i'll sell the ruff necks lemonaide.....plus the well completion time is relatively short....
6 ways to lower gas prices
From a big fat tax to more efficiency to boosting production, there are ways to do it - but which really stand a chance?
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
May 10 2007: 6:43 PM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In a free market economy, there are two basic ways to bring down the price of a product - increase supply or cut demand.
So with the nationwide average price of gasoline over $3 a gallon, and at record highs according to some surveys, what can be done to lessen gas consumption or bring more to market?
1 - Pass a carbon tax
passing a carbon tax might work, but i don't want to give the money to the poor....i would prefer investing in and improving battery technology, also i would like to see us catch up to the U.K. in the use of electric trucks....i would like to see more home wind turbines as is done in holland....then we could charge our electric cars with free wind energy...
2 - Increase efficiency---see above reply #3.
3 - Push alternatives
the alternatives i'm interested in are CNG, home compressed NG (already in use in one small calif. town)
4 - Require oil companies to make more gas
the author is extra stupid suggesting this......i thought we had a free market here the U.S......the last thing i want is the government telling business what to do....
5 - Build a gasoline reserve
Ditto same answer as #4
6 - Drill for more oil....
i agree with this.....and if the oil companies want to drill in my back yard, i'll sell the ruff necks lemonaide.....plus the well completion time is relatively short....
#6
05-12-2007, 10:47 PM
Diesel Bomber
#7
05-12-2007, 11:27 PM
Diesel Wrench
Maj Easy, I'm just gonna say one thing, this may start an argument, but if people r so against trucks, than quit buying stuff and quit throwing stuff away, Everything you own came on a truck and goes on atruck all the way to the landfill. If ya'll don't like it, quit usin it
i wrote that i think a dozen books could be written on reducing fuel usage.....
our countries problems regarding waisting fossil fuels is not the fault of one industry auto or trucking.....
in my opinion, it's a very complicated societal issue, involving our cities, our suburbs, "just-in time" merchandising of our stores, our factories and on and on and on......
what p*sses me off is that changes our country needs to make have already started being made in the U.K. and europe.....and yet this country choses to turn a blind eye to all the fuel that is currently being waisted....
i'm not a greenie nor do i give a sh*t about global warming.....however i would like to reduce this countries dependence on imported oil and would like to see us make some moves in the right directions.....
i'm 60 years old and i doubt if i'll live long enough to see any substantial changes made.....
Last edited by Maj Easy; 05-12-2007 at 11:33 PM.
#8
05-12-2007, 11:40 PM
Diesel Bomber
compare the average fuel efficiency improvement of all the new cars produced in the last 5 years versus the average fuel efficiency improvement of trucks during the same period......
the trucking industry has not and is not doing their job....
i refuse to feel sorry for some trucker that has a huge chrome air cleaner hanging out of his cab.....how much fuel is being waisted with just that one stupid design...... why are truckers still allowing exhaust pipes to be installed along side of the cab?????don't they know that behind the cab would save them money???
the trucking industry has not and is not doing their job....
i refuse to feel sorry for some trucker that has a huge chrome air cleaner hanging out of his cab.....how much fuel is being waisted with just that one stupid design...... why are truckers still allowing exhaust pipes to be installed along side of the cab?????don't they know that behind the cab would save them money???
#9
05-12-2007, 11:46 PM
Diesel Wrench
Based on the lack of interest in this thread....
jasonfriedlin, whitmore and myself are in a very small minority in this country....
very few people including my wife even care about reducing fuel usage.....
my interests are in reducing the demand for fuel....
the prices for fuel will drop like a rock, when the demand is reduced....
jasonfriedlin, whitmore and myself are in a very small minority in this country....
very few people including my wife even care about reducing fuel usage.....
my interests are in reducing the demand for fuel....
the prices for fuel will drop like a rock, when the demand is reduced....
#10
05-12-2007, 11:51 PM
Diesel Wrench
read below:
http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/arti...-truckers.aspx
