Today, having regained my appetite for food, (it's amazing what kind of bugs you can get clobbered with when your wife's a teacher), I drove for the first time in a week. I was filling up my Ford Ranger, click, click. It took approximately $45.23 to fill it today and the local news guys were at the gas station and interviewed me about 'hyper milers.' I couldn't believe they actually put my mug on network TV. Still, this hyper miler business got me thinking. We're not talking about clapped out Crown Vic taxis, but people who are going to extra-ordinary lengths to save fuel... Over inflating their tires (that does wonders for traction and handling), running their tanks to empty - and then facing a $200 towing bill when they run out of gas on the side of the freeway. In my part of the Great Lakes, the tow truck companies say business has tripled, largely because of people running out of fuel. Another thing I've discovered is people drafting behind 18-wheelers in order to save gas, they figure well if I draft behind the trailer my wind resistance is minimal so my fuel economy goes up - whatever, but what happens when the truck brakes suddenly? These people are nuts and put themselves and other road users in danger. Yes gas is more expensive than it was, but compared to Europe and other parts of the world we still have it pretty good. So I say to these high milers, deal with the cost of gas, keep your car tuned up and properly maintained and obey the speed limits, now there's one way to save fuel and maximize your fuel economy without being stupid. If you can't deal with that, then please, for the rest of us, stay off the road!
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