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A one line simple rule

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by markabele, Jun 26, 2012.

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  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I'm looking for a few good one liners that could be good rules for the less enlightened drivers out there. (to use on twitter)

    Something like...

    Try to put 5 seconds in between when you use the gas pedal and brake pedal.

    And then a cost effectiveness number might even spur them to give it a try.

    Obviously they would have to be very generalized statements but even if it doesn't apply to all situations that is perfectly fine.

    Please feel free to post your own or tweak mine.
     
    #1 markabele, Jun 26, 2012
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I don't mean to piss in anybody's potted plant, but it's not going to work.
    Everybody thinks that they're (at least) an 'average' driver, and will presume that you're talking (tweeting) about everybody else.
    This, despite the fact that Americans are generally abysmal drivers.

    "If you can't see their rear tires...you're waaay too close!"
     
    #2 ETC(SS), Jun 26, 2012
  3. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    "put down the phone and concentrate on being a s*#ty driver"

    Icarus
     
    #3 icarus, Jun 27, 2012
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  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The classic rule for fuel economy is, "Drive as though you had no brakes".
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Jun 29, 2012
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  5. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I was thinking more along the lines of saying something very simple that everyone could do without a ton of effort. And then mentioning the cost savings of doing said thing. Money is the universal language. If you get someone's attention financially you have a much better chance of changing their habits.
     
    #5 markabele, Jun 30, 2012
  6. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    How about!

    I'm saving big Buck$ because I get a lot more MPGs than the rest of you F@#k$!

    Sorry if I offended anyone, but it just popped into my head!!!
     
    #6 jsfabb, Jun 30, 2012
  7. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    The answer is "3 seconds". (Now who can provide the question?)
     
    #7 FL_Prius_Driver, Jun 30, 2012
  8. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    Back off the Ga$!
     
    #8 jsfabb, Jun 30, 2012
  9. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Anticipate Traffic
    Maintain a distance such that if something happens in front of you there is no need to slam on your brakes.

    Maintain a Constant Speed
    Avoid wide swings in your speed, caused by slamming on your brakes and then stomping on the accelerator.

    Drive at an Optimal Speed for your Car
    For most conventional vehicles, there is a sweet-spot where mpg is optimized. Find it and drive at that speed as often as possible.

    Avoid Using Your Brakes
    If you had no brakes on your car how would you drive differently?

    Cruise and Coast More Often
    Rather than accelerating until you have to stop, accelerate, cruise and then coast to a stop.

    Commuting is not a Competitive Sport
    Stop comparing your rate of travel against other drivers. You'll get there.
    I have found that regardless of rate of travel, I continue to maintain a 100% arrival rate.

    That's a start.
     
    #9 TonyPSchaefer, Jun 30, 2012
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  10. mojo

    mojo Senior Member

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    Save The Planet,Kill Yourself
     
    #10 mojo, Jun 30, 2012
  11. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I like it...but I'm curious to know the answer now!
     
    #11 markabele, Jun 30, 2012
  12. jabecker

    jabecker driver of Prii since 2005

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    What should be the distance between you and the car in front of you?
     
    #12 jabecker, Jun 30, 2012
  13. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    The spacing between you and the car in front of you. I avoided one guaranteed crash because I was ensuring three seconds elapsed.

    The most powerful demonstration is to have something big fall off the vehicle in front of you on the interstate (like a porta-potty). Most folks drive as if nothing like that can possibly happen in their lifetime. It will.
     
    #13 FL_Prius_Driver, Jun 30, 2012
  14. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    How about this one?

    "Your vehicle will still operate even if you aren't using either pedal. Try going without either pedal for x number of seconds before every stop light. You might be able to save $y!"

    Unsure what to put for x and y though. :/
     
    #14 markabele, Jun 30, 2012
  15. dbcassidy

    dbcassidy Toyota Hybrid Nation, 8 Million Strong

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    " The answer comes from within"

    DBCassidy
     
    #15 dbcassidy, Jul 1, 2012
  16. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Maintain Safe Tire Pressure

    Your tire pressures during the coldest part of the day should never be less than the numbers given on the door jamb.

    Act, Don't React

    Concentrate and anticipate so that you are aware of dangers and the need to speed up, slow down or change lanes long as soon as possible.

    And then come Tony's suggestions ...
     
    #16 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Jul 1, 2012
  17. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    Drive a few hundred miles on a motorcycle,, the "drive like you are on a motorcycle!

    Icarus
     
    #17 icarus, Jul 1, 2012
  18. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    Silly me, I thought the 3 second rule was over 3 seconds was a lane violation in basketball.

    I learned what you are talking about as a 2 second rule. Definitely depends on your brakes. I don't like my brakes that much on my prius, so I give myself a little more in this car. Often if you do 3 seconds people will fill the gap in front of you, and its tough to maintain. More is better, but not too much .....:mad: If there isn't much traffic 3 seconds sounds better, but you aren't in those dangerous situations. I see many tailgators that use 1 seconds or less.
     
    #18 austingreen, Jul 1, 2012
  19. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    ^ It was 2-seconds when I was in school, but I guess everything has gone up since then. I always maintain a 3++ second gap except when I'm driving in places where this is impractical (like SOCAL)....then I drive the length of the largest of the two cars on either side of me plus one coat of paint.
    It's really quite amusing to see people reeeeeeeeeally want to get into that space between me and the car in front of me, but not quite have enough room (or testicular fortitude) to get into it.
    The gap has saved my bacon more than once, AND despite having some VERY marginally engineered cars (like my '96 Geo) I've never EVER had to replace brakes before, like 100K++.
    A previous poster (Icarus) is right. Make folks ride a motorcycle for a little while. That would probably help the tailgating and the brake-accelerate-brake-accelerate phenomenon that I see in urban areas.

    To get back to the OP's question for just a moment, I'd steer clear of some of the more self-righteous or elitists tweets. Like I've said many times before......the Prius community has some (*ah....*) "ambassadors" who are struggling furiously to perpetuate some very unfortunate stereotypes.... :D

    I particularly like the "Answer: 3 seconds. What's the question?" idea.
     
    #19 ETC(SS), Jul 1, 2012
  20. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Motorcycle riders make the best hypermilers. Without a doubt, when I'm explaining techniques, the motorcycle riders are sitting there nodding like, "doesn't everyone do this?"
     
    #20 TonyPSchaefer, Jul 1, 2012
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