How do I teach my leadfoot wife how to drive the Prius

It is hopeless. I am the humble servant of a spouse with the very same driving habits, mine can grind new brakes to death in 20,000 miles. On more than one occasion she has killed the rotors by driving the rivits of the brake pads into the rotors. She drives under power to a stop and nosedives. Riding as a passenger when she is at the wheel is a carnival ride experience. Coasting to a stop? Unheard of, unknown.

 

Ditto here. It's hopeless. Learn to take deep breaths, meditate, and put aside some extra money for early brake replacement.

 

Let the car work it's magic on her and very subtley point out to her while you are driving, the many times that you coast past the person that just raced past you to stop at the light.

I just asked my formerly leadfoot wife what did it for her and she said that the display helped her to become a more intelligent driver. She tends to look up to me on things like this though. I'm in heaven.

 

Not all women are like this! Maybe she just needs to feel in control. You might start a contest with her to see who gets the best MPG average over a month time-frame? If she wants to be a winner, she will focus on the display and learn to drive the car the way it should be driven (lets just hope she does not watch the display so much that she forgets to watch the road!). I used to drive much like your wife, but since I got the Prius I now drive like a little old lady (of which I am NOT) and watch those MPGs soar! :idea:

 

I have the same situation with my husband. I have improved the situation by enforcing the rule that he is NOT allowed to take the car out and "play" by repeatedly testing the car's 0-60 times and maximum speed.

As far as driving the car normally... I think he tries to drive nice when I'm in the car. But I think he still drives hard when it's just him. I don't even know how many times he's replaced brakes on his own cars...

My mom is another one of those "gas it till you slam on the brakes" kind of people. I nearly was sick last time I rode with her.

I also think a competition would be a good way to start her on the hihg-MPG track. Otherwise, don't let her drive it. :mrgreen:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ray Moore\";p=\"99834)</div>

you're a lucky man, Ray! A lucky man, indeed!

 

What does she want?

What does she really want? A new dishwasher? A day at the spa? Diamonds?

Use whatever she craves as a carrot. Tell her when she manages her first 50mpg tank you'll buy her "blahblah" as a congratulations gift.

She'll have to really practice to make the 50 mpg tank. By that time her bad habits will probably be history.

Also works for husbands.

Similar bribery can also modify the behavior of small children.

Pets are easy....just offer food. But don't let them drive your Prius. They can't both steer and work the pedals.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"100026)</div>

yeah, right. I gave mine an ice brilliant one carat solitaire diamond ring a few years ago and her only reaction was:... uhhh, hmmmm, huh.

Seven figure net worth reached, no biggie, when is the second one getting here?

I get no respect, Rodney Dangerfield was a worshipped sage by comparison.

 

Really?

Well, you can dump her and marry me. Not only am I a good cook, I'm getting at least 50 mpg average on a tank now after only 3 months. Just think how much better I'll be after the break in period.

(yes, that was intentional)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster\";p=\"104402)</div>

Sounds like a good deal, when are you going to move to NJ? [/b][/quote]Well, there’s a new definition of From Heaven to Hell. Sandy Eggo to New Jersey. Don’t do it Godiva! NO man is worth it. Make him come to you and you both can live together I paradise.

kirbinster, no freezing weather! She cooks, and neither of you would have to share your Prius.
A match made in . . . um . . . San Diego. :wink:

 

New Jersey?

Sorry, but no man is worth that!

Not only do I live in San Diego, but I own my own home AND my own Prius.

If you're ever in the neighborhood...feel free to look me up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"104397)</div>

You might be a good choice if you didn't ride horses naked.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"104501)</div>

The fact that it is New Jersey,
proves he is unworthy.

(now, you just knew something had to rhymn with Jersey)

I am buying two more condo's this month, everything here is still cheap. 10 years old, two bedroom two bath with a whirlpool tub in the larger bathroom, 63 per square foot. I already have it leased and I have not closed on it yet.

EDIT: here is the URL to the realtor.com listing... http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListin...49&lnksrc=00002

There is a long family history of the males remarrying vastly younger women. My dad has the record of 22 years younger. So far I have held off the genetic inclination, but at 49 I am just beginning to understand the reasons why this has gone on. We just don't act our age at all, the heat of youth has not worn off yet.

 

Who said anything about riding horses naked? I'll bet that's even more uncomfortable than the Prii seats.

I do, however, have a fondness for chocolate. The naked is optional.

Hmmm. Don't know where Rocket City is but I'll bet the weather in San Diego is still nicer. However, our real estate market is through the roof. You would pee your pants at the prices here. I bought my home (in a not so great neighborhood) for $80,000 in 1987. I just refinanced and it appraised at.....$465,000. (3 bedroom, 1 bath, built in 1919)

Gas is more expensive in California than the rest of the states and more expensive in San Diego, which is why I bought a Prius.

But I'm not sure I'd be content with a younger man. I am after all, your senior. Not that I'm OLD or anything. I understand that young a heart thing as I feel in many respects I've never grown up. I am ready to retire so I can start playing again. Unfortunately I have another 8 years to go. So....catch me again in 8 years and we'll see what you have to offer then.

In the meantime, you can warn your wife of the eminent threat of replacement if she doesn't lighten up on the accelerator.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"104639)</div>

Well this does, "The story is that she was the beautiful wife of Leofric III (968 – 1057), Earl of Mercia and lord of Coventry. The people of that city were suffering grievously under the earl's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word, and after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors or shut their windows, she rode through, clothed only in her long hair. One person disobeyed her proclamation, a tailor, ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom. He bored a hole in his shutters that he might see Godiva pass, and is said to have been struck blind. Her husband kept his word and abolished the onerous taxes." That's from the on-line encyclopedia.

I thought that's why you chose the name Godiva and figured you looked good clothed with hair. Actually, I believe Lady Godiva is a myth.

This is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godiva

 

I'm familiar with the myth of the clothing optional transportation demonstration which probably did not take place in Coventry. "It is also thought that Lady Godiva's "nakedness" refers to her riding through the streets without wearing any jewelry, which was a trademark of her upperclass rank. Nevertheless, that a lady of this name existed in the early part of the 11th century is certain, as evidenced by several ancient documents, such as the Stow charter, the Spalding charter, and the Domesday survey, though the spelling of the name varies considerably.

While there is no mention of taxes, she did found two monasteries. Perhaps she rode without the jewelry of her rank in order to raise the money for the Coventry monastery.

"Her mark, "di Ego Godiva Comitissa diu istud desideravi", was found on the charter given by her brother, Thorold of Bucknall, sheriff of Lincolnshire, to the Benedictine monastery of Spalding; and she is commemorated as benefactress of other monasteries at Leominster, Chester, Wenlock, Worcester, and Evesham. She is mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1085, as one of the few Anglo-Saxons to retain land after the conquest, and the only woman mentioned as a landholder."

Hmm, do you measure horses in miles-per-bucket-of-oats? Minimal greenhouse gases. Other emissions *are* biodegradeable and recycleable.

I do believe there was a Lady Godiva, but I'm no Lady, albeit I am a lady. And while I *do* have long hair, I also have a penchant for chocolates. Hence the handle, as I do love a double entendré.

It's not just chocolate....it's a lifestyle.

Why, here's a little trivial tidbit. Godiva's Hymn sometimes known as the Engineer's hymn. (Here are the cleaner verses, it gets a bit baudy.)

"
The modern engineer must be politically correct,
No more motors lubricating, no more buildings rise erect,
No more electrical capacitors whose plates are high and fair
Instead of problem solving let's just sit around and care.

CHORUS
We are, we are, we are, we are, we are the Engineers,
We can, we can, we can, we can demolish forty beers,
Drink rum, drink rum, drink rum, drink rum and come along with us,
For we don't give a damn for any damn man who don't give a damn for us!

Ace Towing roams the streets of Yorkville each and every night,
They tow the cars, and stow the cars and hide them out of sight.
They tried to tow Godiva's Horse, the Engineers said "Hey!"
They towed away the towing truck, and now the Ace must pay. "

Given the Prius is a triumph of engineering, I think an extra verse should be added in it's honor.


Godiva's Hymn

 

The trolls of MIT sing that, do they not?