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by gadget410 from Browns Summit

Last Post 150 days, 4 hours Ago


High Prices, Unchanged Drivers
Apr 26, 2008 | 1:39 AM
Category: News
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I hear the complaints daily about the price of gasoline, I get ridiculous questions like why don't the car companies start using that V8 engine in the SUV's and Trucks that gets 100mpg? I'll tell you why, because it doesn't exist. The public has shown that at $3.00 or at $3.50+ we will still buy gasoline like we did when it was $2.00 a gallon. We feel like the oil companies have really got us in a noose...........but we gave them the rope,and bound our hands and feet for them, we have met the enemy and he is US! I pass the same cars, SUV's and pickups everyday and I see the same thing day in and day out, a single person driving along by themselves maybe they had a carpool or ride share and they are just the last stop but I truly doubt it.   In the name of convenience we have insisted that everything be packaged and sold solely for throw away use. People are mostly unaware of where all of that convenience comes from,  plastics and petrochemical preservatives, as well as the transportation fuel from trucks, planes, ship ,and rail to get the fruits and vegetables that are brought in from all over the world to the supermarket or  Walmart.  We as a country are going to have a rough road ahead if we don't start doing something NOW. I have heard several times the word mandatory rationing on different sites that I visit, we are already seeing cash only, no credit or bank cards starting to take affect, today the first theft of fuel from a vehicle that has been publicized. I think we are starting to see the beginning of " Peak Oil" and what it brings you can read about it here.  http://www.hubbertpeak.com/Hubbert/
 If we are going to change the current price for  a barrel of petroleum it is not going to come from some new presidency or government program and forget the oil companies or the car companies, it is going to come from individuals who take responsibility to make  wise choices and changes to make more efficient use of the energy they consume.
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mrmajestic read my blog view my photos
Apr 26, 2008 | 11:36 PM

I don't know the answer to our dependence on oil. I know that there are quite a few engineers who have created high mileage cars and engines, but we hear all the time that they have been silenced by the oil companies. We have vast amounts of oil, but wells are dirty and the process fouls the environment. We hear the oil companies made profits of 47 billion dollars this year. You hear people ignorantly talk about buying higher mileage cars, but for those who make their living by hauling cargo, a certain vehicle is required and they don't make them in high mileage configurations. Money doesn't grow on trees, so its hard to be prepared when fuel hits $4+ per gallon. You can't just run out and buy something new and better.
ShaneKSmith read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 4:20 AM

Many of the drivers who have changed aren’t out driving because they are sitting at home with no gas in the tank. You don’t see him but he or she has changed. Take for example the retired man in the Fox 8 story about gas thieves. He made a point to note his budget was shot and he’s not going anywhere until the next check. The changes are subtle. Notice the people at the grocery store buying larger supplies. Notice the reduced number of “smiles per mile” as disgruntled drivers milk the wheel hoping they don’t run out of gas.
Notice the discussions people have wondering why the North Dakota oil reserves go untapped or the discussions about drilling in Alaska or just offshore remain untouched. These same people contemplate why farmers in the Midwest have been paid off not to grow durum. Notice that it’s really hard or impossible to find corn on the cob at The Super Wal-Mart. Notice the rice rations at Sam’s Club. Notice the starving people all over the world dependent on grain passing away of starvation. Notice the trucker layoff’s. Notice the interviews on TV from independent Truckers going under and Trucking Company layoffs because it cost’s $1,000.00 or more per day per truck to stay on the road. Notice your grocery or heating bill.
Notice stories of reserves in the Arabic world the size of the state of Connecticut that will cost four times that to get to than ready reserves.
It’s OK to open your eyes and uncover your ears now, but I must warn you there is more to notice!
cook2712 read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 9:13 AM

A recent National Geographic article, “The End of Cheap Oil” warned that when oil prices rise, every transported product also becomes more expensive. Food, for example, travels an average of 1,300 miles from farm to plate. The article noted that it takes almost a gallon of oil to make one pound of beef, and nearly 7 gallons to make one tire. Oil is also used to make medical implants, computers, and fertilizers. And 90% of all organic chemicals come from oil (including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and plastics). The 20 million barrels of oil per day consumed in the US goes for: Transportation 68%, Agriculture and Industry 24%, Residential Heat 4%, Commercial Heat 2%, and Generating Electricity 2% according to the BP Statistical Review.
cook2712 read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 9:31 AM

http://energytomorrow.org/
gadget410 read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 2:05 PM

Cook, you bring up excellent points, this is what most people do not understand is the hidden petroleum and the fact that as oil prices go up anything that oil touches will go up as well.
mrmajestic, to have a certain amount of displacement from and engine it takes a given amount of fuel to create the energy needed to move a specific amount of weight, with some adjustments I can get slightly better mileage as you have mentioned with some experimental engines...now for the problem tailpipe emissions. When I make an engine "leaner"(less fuel) better fuel mileage, the combustion temperature increases dramatically causing Nitrogen and Oxygen to bond together forming Nitrogen Oxide or NOX not NOS(Nitrous Oxide)a performance enhancing oxidizer used in racing. The oxides of nitrogen or NOX create photochemical smog the stuff you see in Los Angeles and the bay area in California. We currently cannot obtain high gas mileage and meet emissions standards with current fossil fuels and technologies. I also get a lot of questions in my class about Hydrogen vehicles. The next question I ask is where did you get your hydrogen? Most people don't realize that a good portion of our hydrogen we are using in other industry is refined from petroleum or natural gas, it is an energy carrier not a source and must be used in a fuel cell to have any decent efficiency. Unless the hydrogen comes from electrolysis and doesn't use fossil fuel for the electricity which is rare and currently pretty inefficient hydrogen is a big loser on energy balance. The next problem is a fuel cell that is affordable.
gadget410 read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 2:08 PM

.... the current cost of a cell would put it totally out of reach of the average driver/consumer. Fuel cells are finicky too, the temperature can greatly affect how well they work. Honda, GM and others are leasing and real world testing fuel cells this year in select parts of the U.S. showing how "green" they are but the chance for you to own a practical affordable vehicle is 10 to 15 years away.
Shane, the folks I am talking about are not the ones on fixed incomes they are you, me, and the everyday commuter on their way to work, the soccer game, and every where else just like we do everyday, every weekend, day after day we grumble and complain but just go ahead an fill up that SUV or other inefficient vehicle and keep on driving. I reached my breaking point, got rid of the SUV and realized I really didn't need it. I look back now and think of all the times I wasted a lot of money and fuel taking just me from place to place everyday .....not hauling my family or things needed for my job or to make a living with... simply me and 6,000lbs. of iron, steel, and plastic flying down the road at 12 mpg not using the mighty 4WD except a few rare instances. The answer is not how do find more petroleum to keep going the way we are now.... it is to find out how can we do without it.
There is estimated to be about 75 to 100 years worth of oil left in the world at current consumption but with the growing thirst of China and India that may change. we also forget that at $117 a barrel and 47 billion in profits with more to be made the oil companies are in no hurry to find something

gadget410 read my blog view my photos
Apr 27, 2008 | 2:10 PM

that will replace their cash cow...unless of course they own and control it. The car companies are in no hurry either think about how much money is made on engines and transmissions and the maintenance for these components. If we all suddenly switched to an electric/fuel cell vehicle all of the engine and drivetrain component providers for all of the manufacturers would be phased out and all of those jobs would be lost because there would be far fewer components needed. Electric drives do not need any of the components or massive computer emissions control technology we use now.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 1:47 AM

gadget, I saw a program on the Discovery Channel concerning the electric/gasoline power 'hybrid' vehicles. They said that when you stop at, say, a stop light, the 'electric' part of the engine 'kicks in' saving gasoline and emissions. When you are driving on the 'highway' at a constant state of speed, the electric component 'kicks in' then also to aide in gas mileage. They even have a 'club' of persons who own these 'hybrids' who challenge each other to see who can get the highest fuel mileage, and it ranges between 100 mpg to 113mpg! BUT, these vehicles are VERY expensive, and therefore the people who are 'hurting' from the gas price increase cannot afford them. I for one, just as the gentleman in the news story about 'gas syphoning' (Sp?) must let my car 'sit' and have reduced my trips significantly. When it is time to 'pay monthly expenses', I either 'double up' with my daughter so that she pays mine when she drives to pay hers (and I give her gas money), or I pay online or over the phone. So, yes, there are many of us who do not waste gasoline. I have always planned my route when going ANYWHERE to make sure that I take the shortest way, with no unnecessary miles to be driven.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 1:56 AM

And, yes Shane, I have known of the government paying farmers NOT to grow crops! The same happened in the recent past when the dairy farmers were not getting as much money as they thought they should, and so they were shown pouring the milk that they had gotten from their dairy cows down a drain at the dairy!!! This was their way of making sure that milk prices stayed at the level they wanted! There was no shortage; only waste!!! So, when the prices of everything goes up because of the excuse that 'corn is being used to create an alternative fuel', remember that the government pays the farmers not to grow it! And, what does rice have to do with anything regarding gasoline, other than the cost of transporting it??? Just another way for the producers to get more money for their product, and pass the expense on to the consumers! Rationing how much 'rice' that can be bought by Sam's Club??? Give me a break; it is smaller retail stores such as 'convenience stores' who go there and buy in bulk, then turn around and overcharge the public for the product for their own gain! I know this to be true at Food Lion, as I have seen the owner of a local rural store buying out soft drinks, coffee, and other 'sale products', and turn around and sell them at their store for more than twice the price!
gadget410 read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 3:42 AM

Searq, I sold my SUV and bought a used Honda that gets 30+ mpg. I am not saying everybody should run out and buy a hybrid that is not feasible. I am saying we are going to have to make smarter choices as a whole. The man in the news story had what appeared to be a mid 90's Ford Explorer this is not the best choice for a person that appeared to be in a home with maybe one other person. This vehicle is not great on gas according to the fuel economy website www.fueleconomy.gov being on a fixed budget he could make his money go a lot further with a smaller sedan with a 4 cylinder engine. If he could have known what was coming he might could have sold it for a decent price before the gas price increase, bought a smaller vehicle and put the extra money in the bank for a rainy day. In the current gas situation poor efficiency SUV's like his will be bringing low trade in value and hard sells on a used car lot.
seaangelrainqueen read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 3:42 PM

gadget, I agree, a person should truly 'think' about the vehicle that they purchase, especially now while gasoline prices are so high! What on earth does a 2 person family need with a HUGE SUV??? I see these Escalades, Yukons, and Expeditions, and normally I only see 'one person, maybe two' in the vehicle! Yes, everyone has a right to buy the kind of vehicle that they wish, and that has been the 'American Way', but we all need to try to cut down how much gasoline that we use!!! Good for you buying a Honda!!! I may have a Camaro, but it is an RS (so it doesn't have a 'big engine'), and I get 27-28 mpg with it, so I don't feel as if it is a 'gas guzzler' like the vehicles that only get 10-14 mpg! But, I do conserve gasoline by combining trips to the grocery store or to pay bills (if I need to) with my other family members who need to go to the same places! And, I ALWAYS PLAN MY ROUTE so as not to need to 'backtrack' (as I call it)!!! That is something that I have always done, because it seems ridiculous to me to go 5 miles south to an establishment, then come 'back' 4 miles north, only to need to go BACK south again!!! No, I definitely plan my trip so as not to retrace my route during the outing!!! LOL!!! Weird, eh???
gadget410 read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 10:16 PM

Searq, That is great that you do what you do to conserve, and I applaud you for your actions. I wish that it were so easy to convince other people how important it is to conserve voluntarily before the prices force them to. Unfortunately most of the people I talk to believe that it is a oil or government conspiracy rather than the possibility that the easy to get light sweet crude is in short supply.It now takes more energy to get a lesser quality form of crude plus it requires more to refine it and make it usable. Regardless of what they believe they have already revealed their hand that they will pay $3.50 + per gallon and keep on using it like they always have. Until people start to reduce the amount of gasoline they use the law of supply and demand will continue to apply and prices will continue to rise. If demand would drop a significant amount the price would come down and would be more stable. I have heard of some people buying gas and putting it in large storage tanks for their own use as the prices go up, this "hoarding" action only serves to increase the price, because now they end up buying more than they normally would at one time and then have to do it again some weeks later it creates spikes in the price and anyone doing this will actually not be saving anything. The price increases will cancel out their savings in the long run.
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gadget410

I have been in the automobile industry for about 25 years. I am currently an instructor in the automobile technology department at GTCC. I enjoy the outdoors and the study of alternative energy.

Member Since: 3/15/2008


 

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