[Vwdiesel] How to Beat the Gas Pump Blues

[Nate Wall]

I just took a peek at the article titled in the
Subject line. Its at:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,426934,00.html

Basically gives tips on how to save gas. Most of us on
the List probably do these things, AND drive VW
diesels. I chuckle to myself when I read stuff like
this (and when I hear the SUV owners in the office
bitch and moan about fuel prices).

The article does have one tip I've never seen in
print, but have always wondered about:

"Don't sweat it at the pump. This is not a
consideration for most of the country at the moment,
but those of you who are actually enjoying
temperatures the rest of us remember fondly as
"warmth," try not to fill your tank at the hottest
point in the day. Cooler temperatures keep the gas at
its densest state, which means you essentially get
"more" gas for your money."

How much more fuel can you get in the winter if its
several degrees colder? It can't be that much denser.
One thing for sure, though, winter mileage is 10 - 15
percent worse than summer mileage. So you still use
more fuel in winter.

BTW, yesterday, I spent more for a fill-up than I have
ever. A whopping $21.80. You have to remember, though,
that represents 545 miles of driving. The wife's
Maxima can be filled for about $35 at current prices,
but that gets you about 300 - 350 miles. The Jetta
fuel costs about 40% of the Maxima's. A lot of other
stuff costs less, too, like tires, insurance, etc. So
I would put the Jetta's operating cost at about one
third opf the Maxima's. The owner's manual in the
Maxima says to use premium fuel, too. Its engine has a
10.6:1 compression ratio, high for gas engines. Since
it has a knock sensor, it gets mid-grade fuel.

Another thing I have noticed is that the Premium
Diesel at Texaco, which is always sky high, now costs
what Crown and Hess diesel costs. I filled up at
Texaco last night for $1.83/gal.

--Nate





http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,426934,00.html

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