Idling our way to $4 per gallon
April 10th, 2008 | by mbhunter |I saw a PT Cruiser in the grocery store parking lot of the grocery store just idling. There was someone in the passenger’s seat, and the engine was just humming away. (One of these days I’ll ask someone why they’re doing that, but I didn’t this time.)
Gas is now $3.25 per gallon here, which is higher than it was during the brief crunch that ensued after Hurricane Katrina, except this time the supply chain hasn’t been interrupted.
If people are complaining so much about high gas prices, why do some people still idle their engines just so they can keep the heat on in the cabin?
Now I know that some people are changing their habits — the wiser ones didn’t waste gas even when it was about $1.00 per gallon earlier this decade — but three and a quarter just isn’t hitting some people hard enough to do something about how much gas they use. And that’s one factor that will drive prices up more. Almost a year ago the Washington Post published an article stating that gas would need to cost $4.38 per gallon for people to change their driving habits.
Everything sells at some price. Gas is no exception. Our usage habits don’t scream “Gas is too expensive!” yet. They say more like “Four bucks? Bring it on!” There are other factors pushing gas prices up, of course, but idling in the parking lot doesn’t help matters.
12 Responses to “Idling our way to $4 per gallon”
By Ben on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I have to stand right next to you and agree with everything. I think it’s ridiculous that we as a country are putting up with it and often wonder at what price point will we be at when riots start, the government has to take action and alternatives are mainstream. Idling is one thing but I live in southern Virginia. It’s mostly blue collar and military here but I swear there are more 6″ lifted F-250s on our roads than hybrid Hondas. The same hicks that are driving these things are the same ones wishing they had more money yearly. HELLO????
By Jon @ The Money Mythos on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I agree wholeheartedly. My old landlord ran her car outside for TWENTY MINUTES every morning. Worse of all, her drive to work was less than a mile! And to add an ironic twist, she owned a store that promoted organic clothing. The guy who lived above us would run his motorcycle for 10-15 minutes every few days too.
By Jesse on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Honestly, I think people are willing to pay $6/gallon for a gas….and thats why oil companies can keep charging it. The state of the economy I believe is more just an “excuse” to jump prices. That being said, gas is still relatively cheap on an absolute scale compared to other things (see my article from today)
By JSB on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m not sure people will change the way they do things until gas reaches about $5 or $6 per gallon. My neighbor lets his car run for 10 minutes each morning before going to work.
I just blogged about a similar topic – http://justsqueakingby.com/2008/automobile/why-do-some-people-choose-to-pay-a-premium-for-gasoline/
By Saving Freak on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I for one have had enough. I will be switching to a natural gas powered vehicle the next time I purchase a car. I can get a tax break that will cover the cost of putting a fueling area at my home and pay only $1.55 per gasoline gallon equivalent. Plus NG is 95% produced in the U.S. The rest comes from Mexico and Canada. Those are countries I can stomach supporting.
By deepali on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
One of many reasons I got rid of my car. I do believe there are certain vehicles that you have to idle, but not anything they sell in N. America.
By MrsMoney on Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Great post. I’ve also read that it’s not that big of a deal to just get in your car and drive in the winter instead of letting the car warm up. I thought that was crazy!
By Todd on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m as guilty as the rest, but I think some consumer education wouldn’t hurt at this point. After all, I bought a Corolla for fuel economy within the last year, but it was just in the last couple weeks that I learned my driving habits (mainly just run-of-the-mill speeding) could be reducing my fuel efficiency by 20% – 25%. I could be wrong, but, I think as a nation we aren’t well versed in the economic realities of driving.
By Rachel @ Master Your Card on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
My husband leaves his car running if I pop into the supermarket and leave him in the car park. We have a hybrid and he reckons its okay because it is running on the battery, but then the car has to charge up the battery again later and surely that takes more fuel….
By Firenze Jewels on Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
I feel personally embarrassed when I meet someone that has a huge SUV but doesn’t need it and it’s NEW. Errrrrr, what’s your IQ?
By Llama Money on Apr 14, 2008 | Reply
My only concern re: consumer education is this – who will provide / pay for that education? Our current government doesn’t seem intelligent enough to make that leap. Oil companies certainly won’t spend money so that we use less gas – it will cost them money twice!
Rachel: What kind of hybrid do you have?
By No Debt Plan on Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
The only type of vehicle I’ve ever heard of needing idling would be a large, large diesel truck. I’ve heard sometimes it is better to keep the huge trucks running due to the wear on the engine with cranking/turning off being more than the cost of keeping the engine running for a bit.
Other than that, turn it off!