pain at the pump lolz

[kschap]

Earlier tonight I went out. I was sick of being cooped up in the house and in the mood for a drive, so I traveled the 25ish miles to get some Taco Bell because I was having cravings for it again after having it last Thursday. :P

Comments

Gas stations blow, hardcore.

[wheelchairpower]

Dudette! I def feel you on annoying gas stations. I, myself, have sought ways around having to unload (and assemble) my chair simply to go the 2 feet to pump my gas. None have worked. I have to unload my chair EVERY TIME I fill my tank. Just to load it back up 5 minutes later. And I'm too proud/impatient to ask for attendant assistance, so I perpetuate the whole thing forEVER. Sigh, annoying. At least I'm fast, but I'm still lazy.
Anyway. I feel you on how life's mundane errands can sometimes provide unforeseen challenges.

Re: Gas stations blow, hardcore.

[kschap]

Can I ask what sort of vehicle you use, and how you store your chair in it while you're driving? :)

Re: Gas stations blow, hardcore.

[wheelchairpower]

A station wagon. I flatten the backseat so I can crawl into/out of the driver's seat. I pull/push the chair in and out of the back hatch from inside the car. that way.

I had the hatch modified so that I could open it from the inside for getting out.

Re: Gas stations blow, hardcore.

[kschap]

Ah, cool, good idea. Do you use the pedals or hand controls? (Am I asking too many questions? Haha.)

I don't have any paralysis or anything, so I use the pedals; and I don't use a wheelchair regularly--just for long distances. My boyfriend, though, is a wheelchair user, but doesn't drive yet and will need hand controls if he ever does learn. When we go places together we sort of use a team effort to stuff/pull his wheelchair into the backseat of my car (a Hyundai Accent).

[kschap]

I still think following a truck is a dumb idea, and it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe just because I'm still a relatively new driver. :)

And the article I read (I can't find it now) seemed to indicate that people were over-inflating the tires. These two things combined were what led to my knee-jerk "THAT'S DUMB!" reaction.

[kencf0618]

Dumb. Dumb.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/drafting_behind.php

On the bright side, though, it does add to the pool of Darwin Award candidates.

[ex_nard]

my dad is buying me a car because I'm having a baby. I got rid of my car last year because gas was getting so high, I wanted to save money. it's seriously outrageous! it's currently at 122.4 which is $4.85USD/gallon and it goes up at least twice a month now. effin' crazy crap! what is yours at?

[kschap]

When I got it the other night, it was $3.61 USD/gallon. So I guess not as bad as you have it, yet. :)

I feel like I picked the wrong time to FINALLY get a car, because it's so expensive just to drive it! I'm over the whole "omg new car must drive somewhere every day" thing at this point, and now that the weather's nicer I try to use my scooter to get around town as much as I can. I can get to most of the stuff I really need.

[ex_nard]

yuh I understand that, but at the same time I'm all, ok so like I'm paying so much $$/month for this car and I'm not using it?! lol it's a no win situation!

[leebroadway]

I don't think hybrids are worth it personally, but I can't WAIT to have an all-electric car!! Someday, I hope. :)

People act like they really have some kind of right to cheap gas, it's so ridiculous. It pains me a little when I fill up too, but I also drive a teeny Corolla and I openly make fun of people paying $60 or more when they fill up now.

Diesel has really jumped in price, but diesel engines are so much more efficient than normal engines that diesel is actually still "worth it" for many cars. It's not atypical to see smaller turbodiesel cars that get 45+ mpg, and many of them actually perform better than hybrids in "real" tests (not EPA estimates). :) Of course, small turbodiesel cars are much more popular in Europe than here, but I think that will begin to change in the next 10 years.

I'd love to have one of these! 50 mpg! :)
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4235586.html

[leebroadway]

It's not for sure coming to the US, but this cute little diesel is supposed to get 70mpg!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4219904.html