How convenient for me, I get my car back just in time for some of the highest fuel prices ever. Cents away from record fuel prices, I further count my blessings for such a car purchase some 13 years ago. Having just paid for the third fuel up, I scored 31 mpg. All city driving, rarely if ever in 5th gear and I’m not sure if I ever got out of second gear on my last 15 mile commute to JFK. No, I’m quite sure I didn’t.

I’m working that plus 30 mpg figure though. I shift quick, stay out of the VTEC cam switch at 4,800 rpm’s and coast as much as possible to stop lights, slowing traffic and the down side’s of bridges. I’ve considered switching the car off at long lights but that might be too stressful for such an old starter motor going on 13 years.

I do feel as though I’m the only one with regard to fuel prices and how much fuel I use. Perhaps I’m poorer than everyone else (likely) and the many SUV drivers don’t mind flooring the gas to the next red light knowing they truly have the cash to burn. I know such driving in those vehicles offers the owner with 15 mpg or less once they hit the pumps. The Yukon filling up next to me last week tilted the pump at $100 and was still going. OUCH!

On a recent outing in a 2005 Range Rover to Long Island and back, the gas attack ended up being 13 mpg. I was driving lightly with Ms. Daisy in the passenger seat, hung-over from a previous night’s romp and that’s the best I could do. I can’t imagine what the fuel economy would have been if I drove the BMW V-8 equipped Rover proper. OUCH!

There are times when I feel like jamming the VTEC to scream mode and I do miss those days, but I need to save some cash. Hugo the dog is eating more and more and non-poisoned dog food costs more these days. I’ve told Hugo the car he joyfully slobbers in is more efficient than he is, but he just looks at me with puppy eyes saying, “Easy on the right foot, I’m hungry.”