Sorry this is so long. It was an article on MSN's website today and i had to comment on it and share it with you.

"Basically, the causes of poor gas mileage break down into three categories: driver-related, vehicle-related and the mysteries of life. Check out this list and see how many of these make you plead guilty:
Driver-related gas guzzlers
1. “Cowboy” driving, i.e. always on the accelerator {GUILTY}, jamming on the breaks {GUILTY, only when absolutely necessary}, jack-rabbit starts {GUILTY}{GUILTY}{GUILTY}.
Prolonged idling, because the gas/air mixture is richer for idling, and therefore drinks your precious petrol {GUILTY, when stupid folk get their cars shiny side down and make us wait in traffic, BONEHEADS}.
2. Extremely high-speed driving {GUILTY}. In most engines, the optimum speed for best fuel economy falls somewhere between 55 mph and 65 mph {BULL #@^%, HEARD THAT BEFORE}.
3. Riding the brakes, i.e. stepping on the gas even while slowing the vehicle by slightly depressing the brakes. It’s a bad habit. Drop it. (EXCEPT WHEN WARMIN UP THE F-1’s OR A PAIR OF SLICKS/DRAG RADIALS)
Vehicle-related gas sappers
4. Poor engine condition, such as a need for new spark plugs or wires (NEVER).
5. Low tire pressure or snow tires on your car. (NEVER)
6. Bad front-end alignment. If the toe-in adjustment is off, the front wheels will drag around a corner. (AFTER THE CLUNK IS FIXED!!!)
7. Dirty engine oil, which makes any engine work harder. (NEVER EVER EVER)
8. A partially blocked catalytic converter. (TAKE THE DAMN THING OFF)
9. Leaks from various parts in the fuel system. Pay attention to any gasoline odors and tend to leaks immediately. (NEVER, DUH YOU’LL NEVER PASS TECH)
10. Mud flaps and bug deflectors, which create wind resistance that results in higher gas consumption. (LIKE A LIGHTNING SOOOO AERODYNAMIC ANYWAY)
11. A dirty air filter(OR STOCK), which restricts the amount of air taken in and results in a richer gas-to-air ratio. (WERE READY WHEN YOU ARE SAL)
12. The use of any power equipment, e.g. power steering, power brakes. (GET THE ^&@%$ OUTTA HERE)
13. Type of car. Both the size and horsepower of the engine and weight of the vehicle result in a big mileage variance. (HMMM, NO COMMENT)
14. And the biggest fuel-sapper of all: the air conditioner. At low speeds, roll down the windows and let the breeze cool you because the a/c guzzles gasoline like frat boys drink beer. {GUILTY} But that strategy won’t work at higher speeds, when a rolled-down window creates wind resistance. At that point, you’d be better off using the a/c.
Miscellaneous causes for gas gulping
15. Extra weight in the car. This means anything from a load of bricks in your trunk eventually destined for your new patio walkway to a couple of overweight friends in the back seat. For every 100 pounds of weight in the car, you lose about one mile per gallon on the mpg scale. Empty out the debris in your trunk and save heavy loads for emergency hauling only.
16. Climate. The colder the weather, the more gasoline your car will use, because the engine requires a richer fuel mixture until it’s warmed up. In extremely cold weather, this could mean you drive 14 or 15 miles before the engine is warm enough to operate at peak efficiency.
17. Mountainous or hilly terrain. You always use more gas when you’re driving in lower gears, so this type of driving is sure to take its toll.
18. Towing, depending on the weight and aerodynamics of what you’re towing. (AT LEAST WE CAN TOW WITH OUR 13 SECOND VEHICLES)

Before you go kvetching about poor gas mileage, make sure you’re correctly calculating your car’s miles per gallon (mpg). Fill the tank and record the mileage. Drive the car until you’re down to a quarter tank or less. Fill up and record the mileage again. Subtract the first recorded mileage from the second, then divide the number of miles traveled by the number of gallons purchased, and you’ll have an accurate tally of your vehicle’s miles per gallon. (CAN YOU SAY TRIPOMETER AND DIVISION IN YOU HEAD, SHEESH)
I know, it sounds like a bad story problem on a high school math test, but it’s a simple equation: Miles traveled divided by gallons used = miles per gallon
One final tip: Don’t buy lower octane gasoline (which is cheaper) if your owner’s manual says the car needs high-octane gas. Your engine will run less efficiently and use more gasoline, so in the long run, you end up spending more at the pumps." (NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL RISK TO THE EATON AND MOTOR WHEN TURNING 48000 RPM AND LEAN)

Again, sorry so lengthy. All text, except for all caps came direct fom the article. MSN, go figure.




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Speedin Bob
'99 "Pi$$ed Off" Red Lightning #2504
NLOC # 438
13.98 @ 98 mph (Rookie Session)