RV Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!

BTW, gas prices up here are starting to dribble down by pennies. Guess they pushed prices too high to begin with......:E

cekkk wrote:
You're right. Honda engines, their bikes or cars, required valve adjustmens, can't recall how frequently, but it wasn't difficult. I agree today's cars are superior. But EPA is never satisfied with emissions. I worked on the first CAFE regs, and the first 90% reduction was achievable at a reasonable cost. But then they'd want 90% of the remainder, then again. That raises the price of the vehicle way beyond value received. And manufacturers are supposed to get it done with fuel that also has been doctored beyond reason.

IMHO, the current EPA are totally bonkers. I say we need a real alternative to fossil fuels, be it either batteries, hydrogen powered fuel cells, etc. (maybe even tiny fusion power plants :B).

LindsayRichards wrote:
Just saw today that the Chinese were having some of their new cars in the US recalled because they used asbestos in them. Their reason was they accidentally used parts made for their domestic use only.

out of curiosity, what cars are manufactured in China and sold in the US? sounds like brake linings, an easy "fix"?
bumpy

SRT wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
I thought that just a few weeks ago we were told with all the frak'n and crack'n and stuff we weren't supposed to see more than $3.50 for gas for a loooooooooooooong time. Well it is a $4.00 here and look'n to go higher. I guess a profit of just a few billion isn't enough!
The good news is GM has a battery that will go 200 miles, stay tuned!!!!

But the fine print on the battery announcement said about 2 years of development had to be done....:(

Gee that's the length of the lease on my current Volt LOL

Just saw today that the Chinese were having some of their new cars in the US recalled because they used asbestos in them. Their reason was they accidentally used parts made for their domestic use only.

Lindsay

It's not just the metal but the machining and assembly. For practical purposes all engines today are blueprinted to exact tolerances. Fuel is cleaner too and with computer control combustion more complete. Across the board cars are better from design, materials through assembly. Even the bodies don't rust out the way they used to. Given a few air bags, better brakes and tires they're safer too. Regarding performance you can't compare. I was fortunate enough to occasionally drive a friends 66 GT 350 Mustang (original). A V-6 Mustang today would easily match it and a GT with a V-8 would go by it like it was standing still.

You're right. Honda engines, their bikes or cars, required valve adjustmens, can't recall how frequently, but it wasn't difficult. I agree today's cars are superior. But EPA is never satisfied with emissions. I worked on the first CAFE regs, and the first 90% reduction was achievable at a reasonable cost. But then they'd want 90% of the remainder, then again. That raises the price of the vehicle way beyond value received. And manufacturers are supposed to get it done with fuel that also has been doctored beyond reason.

A lot of the difference between today's engines and the engines of the 70's is in the technology of the metal. It is much better today. A valve job was common before 50 K on a 4 cylinder engine and now they can go past 200 K without one.

SRT, I had a new '74 Honda Civic followed by a '79. Basically the same, just a different color. No auto tranny, no ac, nada. They both gave me a bit less than 35 mpg for a while, but that soon dropped to upper 20s. That was in an 18 mile commute on a highway with the last about four miles in city traffic. Both engines crapped at 50k, even though the valves were properly maintained. Couldn't believe it. I thought the first failure was a fluke.

Anyway, nothing has changed a lot. You can get a little bigger, more comfortable ride today with similar or better mileage. But when I think of what I have to give up in comfort and safety for my family when I drop from, say, an Expedition or large pickup, to a Altima, which I've rented many times when I was still working, well, it's just not worth the extra few MPGs to me.

It's a matter of personal choice, IMO.

One HP per cubic inch is common today, it's not even considered performance. V-6s have the power of high compression V-8s of old.

My Dodge Concord had 188 CID and 200HP giving it plenty of pep and 23 MPG. The 07 Taurus has about the same displacement and HP and gets 22 city and 27 highway.

Cars today are better and lube oil is much better.