What are the economics (at least in terms of fuel efficiency) between driving with the air conditioner on and driving with "360 A/C" (i.e., with the windows rolled down)? Air conditioning draws on power, which reduces mileage. Windows open increase drag, which reduces mileage. 

Not surprisingly, there's no easy answer (it varies wildly with the vehicle in question, the temp, the speed, etc.), but the simple rule of thumb seems to be that a/c is better at freeway speeds, windows at slower than that.

Now, which will keep you cooler (vs. more solvent) is another matter.

Filed under :: Cars
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So it looks like I'm moving downtown, probably starting the 9th next month. 

I'm pleased to see I can keep up my Tokyo Joe's lunch habit (and only a couple of blocks away, too). I'm told the coffee service at the office sucks, but I drink tea, and there's a Starbucks in the lobby.

Actually, the biggest trick will be to avoid bigger-than-usual lunches -- though I might see if my favorite burrito place is still in business, just for an occasional treat.

On the down side -- right now I am nicely positioned by a Toyota dealership and a Subaru dealership for taking the cars in for service. Downtown? Not so much. Margie's not far from a Toyota dealer, and there may be some Subaru possibilities; at worst, there's one not too far from our house that would be doable (shuttling to home or to the light rail station).

Also a bit problematic is my comic book stuff. Mile High Comics used to have a downtown store, but it's closed since I've been gone from there (not sure if there's a connection). I can still go to the Littleton store -- and probably will -- since it's only a mile or so beyond Katherine's school. But it's still a bit inconvenient, and will be even more so once I'm only approaching her school from the east.

I'm going to be visiting the office down there Friday afternoon. I'm already building a list of things I need to find out, or confirm about my office (white board, plenty of bookshelves, access hours, etc.), to be followed by planning for the actual move.

Filed under :: Cars :: Food & Drink - Restaurants :: Job Jollies :: Media - Comics
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What to do -- and not do -- when you get pulled over for a ticket. In most cases -- pretty much common sense and courtesy, leavened with a recognition of both the balance of power in the transaction and the perspective of that cop or trooper walking up toward your window ...

I.e., don't give them any reason to worry about you, and don't tick them off. Words to live by. And they might get you a smaller fine.

Things to do (read the article for explanations and further guidance):

1. Pull to the right at the first safe opportunity, then turn off your engine.
2. Stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened. Roll down your window. Turn off the radio. Don’t even think about touching your cell phone.
3. Place your hands on top of the steering wheel and sit quietly. Ask passengers to remain silent.
4. Retrieve license, registration, and proof of insurance only when asked to do so.
5. Answer questions succinctly. Avoid arguing, cursing, or interrupting when the officer speaks to you.

And things to not do (which are mostly the reverse of the above):

1. Don’t slam on your brakes when you see the flashing lights, and don’t continue driving for an extended distance.
2. Do not jump out of the vehicle, do not make any sudden movements, and do not approach the officer.
3. You can complain, you can proffer wild explanations, but not for long.
4. Do not lie. If you were speeding, admit it. If you honestly have no clue why you were stopped, wait for the officer to tell you.
5. Do not show your contempt by peeling away after the stop.

I will say two things.

First, this is pretty close to my own behavior, and I generally have had pretty good luck with the cops either letting me off with a warning or treating me what seems reasonably (I can only think of one time when it was not a righteous pull-over).

Second, on the first #1, during my one stint at post-ticket driving school, the instructor, a former CHP officer, said that when the lights go on, pull over then -- that it's the call of the officer to decide whether it's a safe place. I think it has to be a judgment call, though, and the tactics described above make sense.

Again -- honesty, civility, and not giving the cops any reason to think you're a threat (or someone who needs to be taught a lesson) are pretty safe rules to follow. Is that knuckling under to the Man? You could look at it that way -- but in most cases it's probably a smarter idea to go back to your computer and blog a nastygram about it than try to "stand up" right then and there. 

Filed under :: Cars
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So not too long after the previous tune-up, the Impreza started getting an odd rattling noise when I didn't have my foot on the accelerator -- almost like something wasn't secured tightly in the engine compartment. It was annoying, but I never quite got the car back in to have it checked on, and everything was running fine.

Well, everything wasn't fine, as it turned out. During this past week's tuneup, the mechanics (after I described the problem) opened up the (manual) transmission and discovered that the frammistat grommit had fallen off, and was broken pieces and sending little slivers of metal all throught he transmission system. (Or something horrific sounding like that -- I can't find my receipt at the moment).

So the car was in for a couple of days while they Ordered Parts. Still under warranty, though, so I got a loaner -- which turned out to be one of the new, redesigned Subaru Foresters (a 2009 -- I had no idea date-advancing cars had gotten so ridiculous), a 2.5XT. I was favorably impressed driving it home and back as part of my commute and some city street driving. Lots of perk from a stop, but also capable of smooth driving (encouraged by the little MPG indicator --- I was in the low-mid 20s), and a substantial amount of cargo room. 

I'm leaving the Forester on our short list, though I'm iffy on the mileage. Fun vehicle.

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I don't think a two-seater mini-car is what I need -- and, if it was, I definitely have a commute range of over 40 miles round trip. But the Subaru R1e electric car makes me very happy to think of it. And its timing, its likely price, its 65 mph speed, and a 15 minute recharge to 80% capacity all sound like a possible break-through vehicle.

Filed under :: Cars
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The occasionally amusing thing about business travel is getting to drive unexpected cars. Yes, usually I end up in the standard mid-sized sedan yadda-yadda -- but occasionally the vagaries of supply and demand mean that I end up in something unusual -- a giant SUV, or a Miata, or, in the case of this most recent trip, a Chevy HHR.

Which basically seems to be Chevy's answer to the PT Cruiser, but for all of that it was a pleasant enough vehicle, nicely styled inside and out, with good cargo capacity and decent performance. Biggest problem wias a very low front windshield, which meant that I couldn't see overhead traffic lights without stooping.

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Margie goes to the van this morning. Opens the passenger door to put in her purse in.  There are some small rocks of something or another on the seat -- who knows? -- which she brushes off, then drives off.

Stops by Peaberry for coffee.  Comes back to the van.

There are more of the little black rocks on the driver's seat.

Hmmmm.  Margie's biology degrees finally kick in.

Herbivore. 

Open the trunk.  Similar droppings all over the car.  Something's been in the car?  Or is it still there?  Nothing to be seen.

Margie drives to the office.  She's so bemused by the whole thing she leaves her coffee cup down int he car.

Back down for the coffee.  Side door.  More "rocks" are on the passenger seat.

There's a bunny in the van. 

Well, Margie still doesn't see anything, and can't take the time to tear the van apart.  So it's still there.  Plan is for Margie to drive home in time to meet Katherine at the bus, leave the van parked on the street with the side door open.  My plan is to go home early and help clean ...

Stay tuned.  PIctures (of bunnies only) are promised.

Filed under :: Cars :: Pets
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I am seeing an explosion (both in Colorado and here in California) of electronic radar speed checking signs -- the "you are driving XX mph" (usually right above a sign showing the posted speed limit). I don't know if the prices have come down or if someone wrote an article somewhere suggesting Cities Should Really Do This or what.

I actually kind of like them (though they could easily become annoying -- and much less effective -- with saturation). It highlights where it's easy to let the "instinctive" speed of the car climb over where the actual posted speed should be. Plus there's that sense of, "well, if they're highlighting it here, there's a good chance that's where a cop's going to be" to add to the urge to slow.

But, as I said, if they become too common, they'll drop into the background and become as ignored as -- well, as actual speed signs (and speedometers).

Filed under :: Cars
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I grew up, early years at least, in a world of "leaded" gasoline, where "ethyl" was what you wanted in your tank.  I remember (as a kid) unleaded gas coming in as a novelty, then as standard for vehicles, and finally the only thing out there for cars.

Though a bit breathless in tone (though it's hard to be sanguine about, well, lead), this article charts the history of "ethyl" in US gasoline.  Interesting stuff.

Filed under :: Big Business :: Cars :: Environment :: Health :: Science
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Got a flat tire on the Subaru on the way home from karate last night.  Fortunately, as opposed to any number of far worse places it could have occurred (including the interstate), it happened as I was turning into our neighborhood.  So I stopped the car, said some very bad words, and called Margie.

Fortunately, the warned-of snow last night did not occur -- though it's still likely today -- so we can add "Call AAA for a tow to the CostCo to get new tires" to our List of Things to Do Today (along with going to the school for an appointment with Katherine's speech therapist, and, oh, yeah, work).

But first, some coffee.

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