May 12, 2008

• Gas Mileage

  Everyone is talking about gas prices, and there seems to be no end to their rise.  I actually wish that I had filled my tank 2 days ago, before the prices at the nearby station went up by $0.20 per gallon.  Actually, I wish that I had invested in oil a few years ago,  I mean, just the short term 25% jump is enough to have cashed in pretty well.  Meanwhile, I have cerated a new investing strategy, aside from my current “invest in foreign things”, a departure from my “invest domestic” which was dragging my money down the domestic toilet.  Damn S&P 500 was destroying my dream of retiring.  Anyway, my new idea is, if there is anything that everyone pretty much has to use, and the price starts increasing, with no way of going down, especially if the price can be controlled by actively limiting production, then invest in it.  Hell, I may send some money that way now, beforw the government starts forcing their hand.

  Today, everyone is looking for a way to save money on gasoline.  Hell, I would buy a Ford Escape Hybrid if I had the chance.  However, my car gets good mileage, but still.  Questing to find the magic way to stretch a gallon has led me to acetone route.  The idea is that by adding acetone to a tank, it will increase your mileage.  Not significantly, but enough.  Pretty much, 2-3 ounces of 100% acetone per 10 gallons. 

  For my trial, I went with 2 ounces and I bought the lowest octane gasoline.  Normally, I can get 270 miles out of a tank before the gas light turns on and stays on (as in not affected by the tilt of the car).  From what I understand, that is where my tank is at 10%.  Generally, I can squeeze another 20-something miles out of it and be safe, which is good to know if I’m looking for a station.  On this tank, I currently have 300 miles, and the light is just starting to turn on for certain hills.  If I was originally getting about 30 MPG (207 miles when 90% of the tank was used), I’ve squeezed about 10% additionally mileage out of my tank.  If I fill about once every 2 weeks, that saves me almost $4 a fill, which is about $104 a year.  Not a huge amount, but it’s still money.

  Now, if you’re going to try this, you do so at your own risk.  I read around for a while before actually trying it.  There are some that say it will screw your gaskets.  Meanwhile, others have soaked gaskets in acetone, and acetone-gasoline mixtures and didn’t find any adverse effects.  Somewhere in your research you will come across an often cited Car Talk interview where the hosts say that the talked to a gas exec and were told that it would not work, and would probably ruin your gaskets.  However, I’m sure if I asked you if my method was a good way to constantly spend 10% less on your product, you would tell me no, also.

  Maybe I should wait for the Aptera.  At 300 MPG, I don’t care what people who see me driving it think.  I would just have to wait a while, because unless you have a garage to lock it up in, someone will steal it.

  Black 6, out.

  • 11:43 am
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