Gas prices impacting your driving habits?

[trinacriabob]

I used to psychologically squeeze by at $ 2.99 a gallon. Now, it's clearly above $ 3.00.

It has definitely changed my driving habits. I was never a lead-foot to begin with, but now I am more cognizant about my RPMs...I try to keep them nice and low at cruise.

But, more so than this, I noticed I am driving less...by just not going somewhere or grouping errands.

The reason I think about this is that it is really $h!ty for the economy. Malls, restaurants, dry cleaners and such depend on you getting into your car as much as you did before to keep their business operations on par with previous years. You know that people are driving somewhat less and merchants are paying the price, while oil companies and related industries are benefitting. Disturbing...to me, at least.

Edited April 10, 2007 by trinacriabob

[Cory Wolfe]

Gas prices, by far, have not been at their highest levels, and I pay for premium in the first place. When they were, I stayed off the gas a bit more, but generally, my driving habits didn't change much.

Edited April 10, 2007 by blackviper8891

[ToniCipriani]

I do relax on the gas pedal a bit usually, but it didn't stop me from getting angry and flooring it.

[capriceman]

Umm........No?

[ocnblu]

Cappy:

[Dragon]

I haven't reduced the amount I drive, just the way I drive. I've laid off the pedal a fair bit, spend more time at my g/f's (who is a lot closer to my work than my house)

[Intrepidation]

I do relax on the gas pedal a bit usually, but it didn't stop me from getting angry and flooring it.

+1

[aaaantoine]

Not that I drive that often, but if the place is within walking distance, I'll absolutely walk there. If the place is a mile out, well... I just wish I still had my bike.

[Dragon]

can hardly wait for the weather to warm up enough that i can start commuting with my motorcycle. of course, its a lot harder to lay off the throttle on her

[Oracle of Delphi]

As Marie Antoinette is perhaps best remembered for her legendary "Let them eat cake", when the poor of the French Revolution complained there was no bread to eat. I say, "Let them eat my V8"! Viva la GM!

[Camino LS6]

No.

[CARBIZ]

Sorry, but at $3 a gallon (for you guys) this question is presently silly. Try $10 a gallon that the rest of the world is paying, then factor that into your monthly driving! Historically, we still haven't reach the pre-1980 levels yet. There is a reason Europe, Asia and South America are all driving go-karts!

[SuperSport623]

my cars not on the road yet.... but im working on a 3 speed auto, with 3.73 gears.... and this is with a mildly strong 350... so yeah gas is gonna suck... but you know what? as long as i got enough gas to get to school and work, imma enjoy the car the way its meant to be enjoyed....

anyone spare a buck for gas?

[CSpec]

I drive maybe once or twice a week, so no.

[the_yellow_dart]

I am in a different office now. Instead of driving in the 6 or 7 kms to work, I buy a monthly subway pass and take that. Less stress anyways.

[Flybrian]

No. Of course, many people I personally know who complain about gas prices either own a Ford F-950,000 Super Duty or gladly waste $5.49 at Starbucks on crap drinks. I'd rather put that $5.49 in my car.

[frogger]

Not really, my commute is a pretty much traffic free ~20km total a day so its no big deal.

[capriceman]

I should probably get a Trek though and ride to work save me about $20 a week. plus the drive is only a couple miles now.i think 8 round trip and on a nice bike thats nothing and no hills to worry about.

[pow]

YES DEFINITELY.... last fill up was $68. For a slow six-cylinder car... not even a V8 muscle car.

[Drew Dowdell]

No. Of course, many people I personally know who complain about gas prices either own a Ford F-950,000 Super Duty or gladly waste $5.49 at Starbucks on crap drinks. I'd rather put that $5.49 in my car.

Is that your deductible these days?

[Northstar]

No. I don't drive much right now but when I do drive I realize that the GTO is going to get 13 MPG if I drive hard, 14 MPG if I drive regular, and 15 MPG if I drive like a grandma (all in-town), so it doesn't make much of a difference.

[mrmonte]

I just eat more Oatmeal and less meat. Really what is it from a month ago another 4-6 dollars a fill up. I found a receipt in a suit jacket from about five years ago. It was 1.65 for super from a Mobil station.

[Screaming Trees]

No it doesn't affect my driving at all. I have had my truck for about a month and I have a little over 1700 miles on it (it had 39 the day I bought it) I drive everywhere even if it is in walking distance, because I am too fat and lazy to walk my ass anywhere

[daves87rs]

Since we drive a couple of Crapilers....I'm going to say no.

Her car is almost paid off, and the with a little work on the wagon. I should be able to get better gas milage with that....

So I'm not too worried yet...

[Flybrian]

Yes. I now drive over Priuses as opposed to around them.

If you cut off a Prius and smash your brakes so they have to smash their brakes, you're not being rude; you're giving them more electricity.

[Oracle of Delphi]

I just paid $2.81 a gallon for high test here for my 5.3 liter. This was my 1st fillup in this car.

[pow]

I just paid $2.81 a gallon for high test here for my 5.3 liter. This was my 1st fillup in this car.

Lucky. It's $3.49/gal *minimum* for premium here.

[AxelTheRed]

It doesn't affect my driving as much as it probably should. I still get bored around the house and just up and decide to go to another county for a while to see what's up on their side...but usually when I'm on the way back and pass a gas station, I think to myself "Well, that was a bad idea."

Edited April 11, 2007 by AxelTheRed

[MyerShift]

Oh, not much. I still rip around town and down the interstate pretty much the same as always. To encounter 80+ mph is nothing for me when on the freeway.

[Oracle of Delphi]

Lucky. It's $3.49/gal *minimum* for premium here.

Where is here?

[Robert Hall]

I'm currently only driving about 5 miles a week to work and another 20-50 miles a week around town, so it doesn't bother me.

[daves87rs]

Lucky. It's $3.49/gal *minimum* for premium here.

I'm guessing that it will be that price for everyone in a few months....

[Oracle of Delphi]

Yes. I now drive over Priuses as opposed to around them.

WMJ, isn't it called an Acadian?