Dead Silence

bee13 · 06-30-2006, 10:15 AM

I had a precious moment the other day when I walked into my bosses' office and smack into a lively conversation he and other senior managers and supervisors were having on the subject of the high cost of auto fuel and steps each had taken or were about to take to reduce their monthly fuel expenses.

Not being one to jump into conversations already in progress, I remained quiet, listening to each person's explanation. Two were particularly engrossed in an animated conversation about how they'd parked their Ford F-350 and Chevy Silverado pickups and purchased more fuel-efficient motorcycles. They went on and on about the virtues of each of their bikes and about how much their fuel bills were going to drop. Meanwhile, I'm standing at the door threshold taking it all in, nodding approval each time one looked at me.

Then, one of the other managers in the room piped up and asked the two what kind of mileage they actually expected to get. Proud as could be, they both sat up straight and stated, "Oh, about 45 MPG!"

Then another looked at me - I still hadn't said a word - and said, "Clausen, are you still driving your truck?" to which I replied, "No, I've parked it and only use it to pull my camp trailer and haul construction materials - stuff like that." "What are you driving now?" one of the new motorcycle owners asked, and I replied, "Oh, I bought a hybrid."

There was a pause, and then he said, "What kind of fuel mileage are you getting?" The air in the room grew very thick as the cross-conversations died down. All turned their heads to me and waited for my reply. "Mmm, I think I'm getting around 55 right now" I said matter-of-factly.

The room went dead silent for several long seconds. The faces that had been locked on me turned "slow-motion" to one another, each manager and supervisor looking across the room at the other, stunned and searching for something clever to say that would ease the pain of my reply. I felt my job slipping away...

It was delicious.

I'd like to hear about your Prius "Precious Moments." Please share them.

finman · 06-30-2006, 10:18 AM

I've been asked about my mileage in the winter and I say it's "down" to 45 MPG.

That usually get's an open-mouthed gasp.

Cheers,

Curt.

eagle33199 · 06-30-2006, 11:11 AM

there have been several times when someone would ask me about mine, and i'd reply, "it's only about 45 right now, but i've been hauling my kayak a lot this tank"... they always get this weird expression on their face, then turn to whoever else is there and say something along the lines of "listen to this guy making excuses for getting 45 MPG". highly entertaining, if you ask me.

kjb516 · 06-30-2006, 11:27 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bee13 @ Jun 30 2006, 09:15 AM) [snapback]279074[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'd like to hear about your Prius "Precious Moments." Please share them.[/b]

Quite a number of my co-workers have also parked their trucks and begun commuting by motorcycle to save on fuel expenses. I have as of yet to find one that matches my gas mileage and I've been known to give many of them a good natured needling for driving their "gas guzzlers".

Yet another co-worker (who commutes around 100 miles per day) traded in his Ford F-150 in for a Subaru Impreza. The first time a ran into him in the parking lot with his new ride, he proudly announced that he halved his fuel expense, to which I winked and said, "Would you like to halve it again?". Not to be outdone, he smiles and shoots back, "Wanna race?". My response, "SURE! I'll race you to the furthest gas station!"... He had no response...

novacustard · 06-30-2006, 11:54 AM

Here's a question - Given that you guys are getting, say 55mpg in summer and 45mpg in winter, are these US gallons or Imperial gallons?
If they are US gallons, then that equates to 64mpg (imperial gallons), in which case I need to imporve my driving techniques! (My average at 2500m is 56mpg (imp gall), or only 47.6mpg (US gall).

Just wondering...

Richard.

finman · 06-30-2006, 12:04 PM

US gallons for me. 45-ish in the winter. low 50s in the warmer months, but always partial zero emissions!

Cheers,

Curt.

JimboK · 06-30-2006, 12:09 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kjb516 @ Jun 30 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]279097[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Quite a number of my co-workers have also parked their trucks and begun commuting by motorcycle to save on fuel expenses. I have as of yet to find one that matches my gas mileage and I've been known to give many of them a good natured needling for driving their "gas guzzlers".
[/b]

One of the guys in my office did the same. Except, for some strange reason, I didn't see him on his bike during our 2 days of steady rain earlier this week!

I'll have to remember to tease him about his two-wheeled gaz guzzler. I like that. Thanks!

Jim

bee13 · 06-30-2006, 12:18 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Richard Thomas @ Jun 30 2006, 11:54 AM) [snapback]279112[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Here's a question - Given that you guys are getting, say 55mpg in summer and 45mpg in winter, are these US gallons or Imperial gallons?

Just wondering...

Richard.
[/b]

I average between 47 and 48 US mi/gal in the winter (I use an engine block heater three hours prior to leaving for work in the morning) and 55 to 56 US mi/gal in the summer. My commute is mostly flat and largely interstate and spans 27 miles, one-way.

My wife and I recently made a trip from Utah to eastern Wyoming, then down into northern Colorado, then back to Utah - 1200+ miles - and averaged 57.5 US mi/gal for the trip.

We couldn't be happier.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kjb516 @ Jun 30 2006, 11:27 AM) [snapback]279097[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Not to be outdone, he smiles and shoots back, "Wanna race?". My response, "SURE! I'll race you to the furthest gas station!"... He had no response...
[/b]

You're quick on your feet, kjb!

kingofgix · 06-30-2006, 12:30 PM

I have both a 50 mpg Prius and a 45 mpg motorcycle. My co-workers tease me on days when I ride the motorcycle...."Yeah, he just doesn't care about saving gas. Must be a Republican."

hobbit · 06-30-2006, 12:35 PM

One of my best "prius moments" was discovering that if I popped into
Neutral at or below 41 mph just before a downhill, I could coast
substantially above 42 mph without the engine spinning. Opened up
a world of opportunities for "warp neutral" on the backroads.
Downside: often, little towns are nestled down in the valleys, where
the speed limit drops to 25, so this isn't always appropriate. But
out on the rolling hills with a 45 mph limit or so, it's great.
.
_H*

06-30-2006, 10:15 AM	#1
bee13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 289 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had a precious moment the other day when I walked into my bosses' office and smack into a lively conversation he and other senior managers and supervisors were having on the subject of the high cost of auto fuel and steps each had taken or were about to take to reduce their monthly fuel expenses. Not being one to jump into conversations already in progress, I remained quiet, listening to each person's explanation. Two were particularly engrossed in an animated conversation about how they'd parked their Ford F-350 and Chevy Silverado pickups and purchased more fuel-efficient motorcycles. They went on and on about the virtues of each of their bikes and about how much their fuel bills were going to drop. Meanwhile, I'm standing at the door threshold taking it all in, nodding approval each time one looked at me. Then, one of the other managers in the room piped up and asked the two what kind of mileage they actually expected to get. Proud as could be, they both sat up straight and stated, "Oh, about 45 MPG!" Then another looked at me - I still hadn't said a word - and said, "Clausen, are you still driving your truck?" to which I replied, "No, I've parked it and only use it to pull my camp trailer and haul construction materials - stuff like that." "What are you driving now?" one of the new motorcycle owners asked, and I replied, "Oh, I bought a hybrid." There was a pause, and then he said, "What kind of fuel mileage are you getting?" The air in the room grew very thick as the cross-conversations died down. All turned their heads to me and waited for my reply. "Mmm, I think I'm getting around 55 right now" I said matter-of-factly. The room went dead silent for several long seconds. The faces that had been locked on me turned "slow-motion" to one another, each manager and supervisor looking across the room at the other, stunned and searching for something clever to say that would ease the pain of my reply. I felt my job slipping away... It was delicious. I'd like to hear about your Prius "Precious Moments." Please share them. __________________ 2005 Super White, Pkg 4 Highest Tank: 58.3 MPG, 675 Miles - Cheers -

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Silence of the Prius?	gforeman	Audio and Electronics	2	05-30-2007 05:31 PM
PriusChat: Silence or Scam	drdanj	Prius Main Forum	16	09-28-2006 09:39 PM
What do you prefer, muzak or silence?	jared2	Fred's House of Pancakes	5	05-19-2006 06:51 PM
A Moment of Silence	DaveinOlyWA	Fred's House of Pancakes	6	01-28-2006 03:21 PM
Time to break the silence	swepri	Prius Main Forum	16	08-13-2004 02:22 PM

06-30-2006, 10:18 AM	#2
finman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 934 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've been asked about my mileage in the winter and I say it's "down" to 45 MPG. That usually get's an open-mouthed gasp. Cheers, Curt.

06-30-2006, 11:11 AM	#3
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,724 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	there have been several times when someone would ask me about mine, and i'd reply, "it's only about 45 right now, but i've been hauling my kayak a lot this tank"... they always get this weird expression on their face, then turn to whoever else is there and say something along the lines of "listen to this guy making excuses for getting 45 MPG". highly entertaining, if you ask me.

06-30-2006, 11:54 AM	#5
novacustard Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Here's a question - Given that you guys are getting, say 55mpg in summer and 45mpg in winter, are these US gallons or Imperial gallons? If they are US gallons, then that equates to 64mpg (imperial gallons), in which case I need to imporve my driving techniques! (My average at 2500m is 56mpg (imp gall), or only 47.6mpg (US gall). Just wondering... Richard.

06-30-2006, 12:04 PM	#6
finman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 934 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	US gallons for me. 45-ish in the winter. low 50s in the warmer months, but always partial zero emissions! Cheers, Curt.

06-30-2006, 12:30 PM	#9
kingofgix Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 381 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have both a 50 mpg Prius and a 45 mpg motorcycle. My co-workers tease me on days when I ride the motorcycle...."Yeah, he just doesn't care about saving gas. Must be a Republican."

06-30-2006, 12:35 PM	#10
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 3,012 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	One of my best "prius moments" was discovering that if I popped into Neutral at or below 41 mph just before a downhill, I could coast substantially above 42 mph without the engine spinning. Opened up a world of opportunities for "warp neutral" on the backroads. Downside: often, little towns are nestled down in the valleys, where the speed limit drops to 25, so this isn't always appropriate. But out on the rolling hills with a 45 mph limit or so, it's great. . _H*