Let the Complaining Begin

March 12th, 2007 | by Brian Carr |

First off, let me apologize for the preachy tone of this post. 

We’re barely two months into 2007 and not anywhere near the beginning of the summer’s peak driving season, yet gas prices are up over 15% for the year and there’s not a whole lot of relief in sight.

Unfortunately, if last summer is any indication, it looks like these high gas prices will cause most of us to complain, but will cause very few of us to actually change our driving habits for the better.

Unless you drive for a living, most people can afford the extra money they have to shell out as gas prices rise; for most Americans an extra $10 to $20 per week doesn’t put too much of a dent in our discretionary income.  Sure, maybe we won’t go out to dinner as often to make up the difference, but essentially nothing really changes.

However, what we will do is constantly complain about gas prices.  Whether you’re in the break room with your co-workers, the dinning room table with your family, or at a local bar with your friends, someone’s going to bring up how expensive gas is getting, and you’ll probably hear about it on a daily basis.

But complaining about it isn’t enough; it’s not going to make gas prices come down, or magically make your car get better gas mileage.  Instead of whining about gas prices and then going out in your car like you’re a NASCAR driver, go ahead become more conscientious of your driving habits and try to get the best gas mileage possible.

There are plenty of tips on this and many other sites that can help you reach that point.  That way you’re not just full of hot air when you’re complaining about gas prices during the hot summer months.

I’ll go ahead and get off of my soapbox now…



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  1. 3 Responses to “Let the Complaining Begin”

  2. By Dave on Mar 13, 2007 | Reply

    No complaints here - I keep my tires PSI around 34 PSI, change my oil every 3,000 miles, change my Air Filter every 15,000 miles, rotate my tires every 15,000 miles and I usually get around 30 miles to a gallon!!!
    Ya gotta LOVE Pontiac Grand Prix!!!!!
    :)
    Dave, Los Angeles Computer Tech

  3. By Brian Carr on Mar 13, 2007 | Reply

    That’s what I like to hear.

  4. By DAVID G on Aug 2, 2007 | Reply

    I DRIVE A 2005 HONDA CRV. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT A BIT ROUGH SINCE I PURCHASED IT 2 YEAR AGO AND MY GAS MILEAGE HAS REFLECTED THAT. LATELY I HAVE BEEN ACCELERATING SLOWER AND I USUALLY GET PASSED BY 80% OF CARS AROUND ME WICH KIND OF BOTHERS ME AT TIMES. I FEEL THAT DRIVERS NOWADAYS ARE WAY TOO AGRESSIVE. THEY SPEED UP TO CATCH A RED LIGHT THAT IS IN PLAIN SIGHT AHEAD? I NOW REFUEL MUCH LESS OFTEN AND I FEEL LIKE MY CAR IS RUNNING A BIT MORE SMOOTHLY NOW THAT IT BARELY EVER SHIFTS PASSED 3,000 RPM’S FOR ANY REASON, IN ANY ROAD CONDITION (EXCEPT FOR THE OCASSIONAL HIGHWAY LANE CHANGE THAT REQUIRES MORE POWER THAN USUAL ). I NOW HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR SLOWER, MORE CONTROLLED, CHEAPER, SAFER DRIVING HABITS THAT HAVE DEFINATELY MADE MY POCKETS A BIT THICKER.. LOL

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