Also, it’s not too late to try to win your very own Smart fortwo. Act now while supplies last.

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Fret not, for Purex has THIS CRAZY CONTEST where you can win these very things. All you have to do is come up with a jawsome, eco-friendly tote bag design and submit it to their contest before May, 2009.

You can win cash-money, a free tote bag, or a Smart Fortwo. I’m ’bout to enter the contest myself; I strongly suggest you do the same.

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how many miles to the gallon do you get? This bad boy got 100 miles per gallon!

The P50 has a single-cylinder 49cc engine and only three wheels… technically, it’s not even a car (they classified it as a motorcycle). Only about 100 were made, so if you get a chance to see one, you go and you take that chance.

To learn more about this awesome automotive oddity, please place your mouse cursor over THIS and mash the button.

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You Don’t Need to Speculate in Futures Contracts for Members of Congress, Since They Are So Easy to Buy: As the price of a barrel of oil nearly doubled in the first half of 2008, members of Congress ominously blamed petroleum speculators who, it was said, were ominously buying up futures contracts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called a news conference to introduce his grandly titled Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008. If “excessive” speculation, whatever that means, really is influencing oil markets, then those ominous speculators are now being punished by the same markets, as barrel prices fall. But how convenient for the United States Congress to blame unnamed, shadowy speculators instead of blaming … the United States Congress.

It is Congress, after all, that from 1988 to 2007 repeatedly refused to raise fuel economy standards for cars, trucks and SUVs, thus guaranteeing U.S. oil imports would rise, and helping push up global oil demand, increase the price of oil and channel more dollars, euros and yen to the Persian Gulf dictatorships that support anti-Western and anti-Israel terrorism. Under Republican and Democratic leadership alike, for 20 years Congress was warned and warned and warned again regarding trends in U.S. petroleum use, and for 20 years did nothing. With an election coming, how about we throw these unctuous rascals out, and to play on a suggestion by the late William F. Buckley, replace them with 535 names chosen at random from the nation’s telephone books?
 

If you want to read the whole column (which is 90% about football, and which I recommend), you can read TMQ rooootttcccch… HERE.

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1.  Avoid left turns – UPS plans its routes to minimize left turns.  This reduces gas usage because left turns generally mean you car has to sit and idle while waiting to turn.  This helped UPS save $12 million last year!
2. Reduce idling – I did not know this, but UPS has a “no idling” policy, so no matter how short of a stop a UPS driver makes, they turn off their engine.  This reduces idling time by 24 minutes per driver a day, which saves them $188 per driver per year!
3. Plan your route – UPS plans out its routes to be as efficient and direct as possible.  Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

If you can’t read that good, here are some gas saving tips from UPS… IN VIDEO FORM. 

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Around where I live, there’s lots of roadkill that can be seen each and every day, including deer, squirrels, opossums, and even the occasional caterpillar. My vision stays blurry while I drive because of the constant flow of tears caused by the pointless deaths of these noble animals.

Hopefully this free bumper sticker will remind other drivers to slow down and be on the lookout for animals crossing the road instead of, in a morbid ironic twist, distracting drivers and thereby causing them to run over even more hapless creatures.

Anyhoo, if you click the picture above, you will be well on your way to being a proud owner of a gen-u-ine bumper sticker. So godspeed to you, and help spread the message that people needs to be careful and not run over any animals (or small children).

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How to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

1. Easy on the acceleration – when the light turns green, slowly ease down the gas pedal. No need to burn rubber, just accelerate slowly and steadily. This makes a big difference in improving fuel efficiency.
2. Don’t idle for over a minute – if you’re at a stoplight where you know you’ll be waiting for over a minute, just turn your car off. When the light is about to turn green, turn your car back on. Only do this at stops that you’re very familiar with, and where you know you’ll be waiting for over a minute.
3. Drive your optimal speed
   
   Believe it or not, driving at 70mph on a highway or belt-line is not very fuel efficient. For most cars, the optimal speed is 40-60 mph. Yes, lots of cars will pass you. Stay in the slow lane to let them. They are just wasting their gas (and money).

By following these oh-so-handy tips, I only use about 80% the gas that I used to use. That means I’m saving about 20% in gas money, which these days is a big chunk o’ change. So help out your wallet and the good ol’ environment, and don’t drive like a maniac.

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That’s right, folks, it’s movie time. So sit back, relax, and get ready for some surious learning as Amory Lovins narrates this neato video about Hypercars. All you have to do is click on the picture of Amory; look, here he is now:

Fun Facts about Hypercars

• Very light weight, very strong (carbon fiber, the same as Formula One race cars)
• Less wind resistance
• More efficient electric accessories (A/C, CD player, etc.)
• Increase fuel efficiency dramatically
• Windows let in light, but not heat (reducing need for A/C)

Amory says it’s possible we’ll see hypercars on the market within 4 to 5 years. Hopefully my car can hold out that long, then I’ll spring for a crazy efficient hypercar and watch my gas savings pile up.

- credit for the video goes to PBS and Nova

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I got a big discount on it, something to do with rising gas prices or something, so it’s a good way to save money. Anyhoo, I decided I was hungry, so after waiting for about a half hour in a drive-through with my car running (keeps the MPG more efficient), I finally got some delicious comida. Unfortunately, I finished it before I got home, so I had to throw my wrappers and cup out the window, but no problema, since they biodegrade quite rapidly.

When I finally got home, I decided to change my new car’s oil.  A properly-tuned car can save you a lot of money, and also emits less pollution. But what to do with the old oil? I looked around til I found a suitable place, and then dumped it all there.

All in all, I feel I made a pretty solid purchase. This is probably the best pre-birthday I have ever had.

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