Let’s call this a follow up post on tracking fuel economy (or “non-economy”) as I took the opportunity to fill the 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel with B-20. My station of choice between Mansfield and Columbus Ohio is a Sunoco at the I-71 exit 151 and has carried a variety of domestic renewable fuels including B-2, B-10 and B-20 (biodiesel). The convenience and price are both reasons this station is preferred as I drive by going north and south (station could use a clean up and some relabeling). On Thursday evening the $4.04 price for B-20 was 6 cents per gallon higher than the dino-diesel making it “fairly” priced for an Ohio grown substitute. My advocacy has waned in recent years, but I’m still a supporter of domestically renewable options … sure would love to see it succeed on its own without government intervention … but the convoluted nature of politics and energy are too complex for the average Joe to figure out.
Although I missed a few Fuelly fills, the old Mercedes is going to need an overdrive gear in order to hit 30 mpg. (last 70+ mph all highway 360 miles was 24.81mpg)
I’ve been plagued off and on over the past few years with a check engine light that the computers say indicates cylinder misfiring. It seems to come and go, to the point I begin to ignore it until someone points it out again.
A few years ago, I suspected that I might have had a batch of bad fuel since it seemed to go off after a second or third tank. Then a couple years ago I had my buddy Tim at Mr. Godwrench replace the plugs and wires (not like the old days … or a diesel – grin!) thinking having so many miles on the original could be part of the problem. BUT … it appeared and disappeared off and on again.
Since Shell Oil loyalist, my wife Brenda, was in the car on a recent 2200 mile drive, we ran almost entirely Shell’s Nitrogen-enriched gasoline — PDF. Unlike my better half, I tend to shop for the cheapest regular unleaded that I can find … Brenda on the other hand will only burn Shell gasoline. Interestingly, the light came on after running another brand of fuel and now has been off since I’ve only filled with Shell. Maybe there is something to the quality of fuel being sold by different companies or the “cleaning and protective barrier” claims advertised by Shell? My situation has me once again rethinking my position on what I suspect is just a snake oil additive business.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE SHELL NITROGEN ENRICHED GASOLINE?
It is the only gasoline that contains the patented and exclusive Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System
Extensively tested for more than half-million miles in various engines and vehicles
Actively cleans performance-robbing gunk from intake values and fuel injectors
Acts like a protective barrier to shield fuel injectors and intake valves against future gunk build up
Exceeds the stringent requirements of the world’s top automakers – Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen – and is certified as a TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
No other gasoline protects better!
HOW DOES THE SHELL NITROGEN ENRICHED CLEANING SYSTEM WORK?
The Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System uses a patented molecule, which cleans and protects intake valves and fuel injectors. Enriching the molecule with nitrogen makes it more thermally stable and therefore more effective in tough engine conditions with higher temperatures and increased pressures. This is particularly important in modern fuel-efficient engines to prevent the breakdown of cleaning agents.
The Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System gives all three grades of Shell gasoline the ability to clean up gunk on intake valves and fuel injectors. Industry data indicate and car manufacturers recognize that a clean engine is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer emissions and allows vehicles to perform at their best.
It is official … my daughter Katelyn is no longer driving a Volkswagen, let alone a TDI. She made the decision to go with a Nissan Juke which has her really excited. So far she loves this little cute CUV, although definitely will miss her little diesel. The new Juke has all the features she was looking for and was at a price point that made it more affordable than the Tiguan. Great technology, good gas mileage 27/32 mpg, sporty turbocharged engine, all wheel drive, great quality fit and finish along with snazzy youthful styling that appeals to Katelyn … and did I say is was RED?
I can’t wait to see it … but also worry that my wife Brenda will want a new car.
I was out feeding Tootsie this Tuesday morning in just a sweatshirt, and although it wasn’t necessarily springtime warm, it wasn’t really “wintery cold” either. The fresh overnight snow was wet enough for packing so it gave me one more chance to make an “I’m BAAACK!” reminder.
I found some dinosaur bones while clearing brush on Saturday … as I joked on Facebook (photo above left). Actually it is probably a raccoon or possum and it is much better finding the fully decayed bones rather than gagging while having to bury the dead carcass!
It is amazing at just how invasive the Honeysuckles, Poison Ivy and wicked “rose-stem-like” vines are when they take over a woods or fence line. I could work every day and still have to start clearing all over again in another year. I’m feeling a real kinship with our “brush clearing” President George W. Bush. I do miss his integrity and down to earth personality. Maybe we’ll get a few of those attributes back with our next president?
According to the folks at Autoguide, Volkswagen will be following the VW Jetta Sportwagen with Golf SportWagen in 2015 and is teasing us with a diesel variant. The new TDI concept proposes an all-wheel drive 2.0-liter powerplant called the EA288 diesel. This new diesel would offer 10 more horsepower over the current diesel and could come in both a six-speed manual or 6-speed DSG automatic. The 1.8-liter gasoline model is slated to hit dealer showrooms in early 2015 and will be available with LED daytime running lights, Xenon headlights, a panoramic sunroof and 12-way power driver’s seat. The larger than a Golf, but smaller Jetta SportWagen could be the ideal car for many Americans who love utility of smaller all-wheel drive SUVs, but want their next car to have improved fuel economy. Volkswagen has not published any MPG numbers for the new concept, but one would think they should be close to VW’s other TDIs(click image for larger chart).
Congratulations to Katelyn and Drew on the first anniversary of their wedding day. It is hard to believe a full year has passed since their wedding. The two of them are celebrating by looking for a place to live in Minneapolis and enjoying time together. Besides normal hotel accommodations (and an inside father-daughter chuckle about their SOUPper 8 stay — good memories!), they booked a night at a Stillwater, Minnesota bed and breakfast … what a great way to celebrate their first year as husband and wife.
The photo above (not Katelyn and Drew) is from a St. Paul, MN photographer called Pretty Geeky Photography … how fitting for the two of them!
It’s about time to include a “just for fun” video from the female perspective, rather than YouTube clips from guys (1, 2, 3). Might be worth trying at a teen sleepover or birthday party?
Those who spend any time watching financial markets and attempt to analyze a mix of investments the future, understand that there are mix signals coming from economist, financial analysts and those hired to manage investments (or pick for TV). I follow both the bullish and the bearish thinkers, yet end up being more conflicted about what to do in our limp economy. There are convincing opinions for both points of view and thankfully “so far” those in charge have been able to prevent another catastrophe … although admittedly I have a slight bias toward a downward correction or worse – call me cautious.
CNBC has been hosting ten money managers this week and these respected advisors have agreed to give their best stock ideas in what the Squawk Box morning program is calling their “Platinum Portfolio.” There haven’t been any surprises in their picks this week, but I jotted down a few ticker symbols to track anyway. These top managers were all bulls and “in the market” last year so they racked up some pretty strong gains, unlike those who were cautious or bearish. To their credit, a lackluster economy just barely chugging along has been a positive for stock pickers since the Federal Reserve remains accommodative and inflation controlled without concern the economy is overheating. Those seeking employment or retirees seeing a conservative return on their savings on the other hand are still struggling.
Speaking of bullish guests on CNBC, one would be hard pressed to find one as optimistic as on Thursday morning (04/10/2014) – videos below.
Bill Miller (formerly of Legg Mason Capital Management)was even more of an positive than those picking stocks earlier in the week. He suggested that this cyclical bull market “could” even the beginning of a secular bull market (forces in place culd last for many years). His conclusion was that “we may be in the best bull market of our lifetime” and suggested that housing stocks are poised to rally since they have been laggards (video below). Like airline stocks, I find home builders a tough group to buy and hold. See LEN ($39.86), PHM ($19.18) and KBH ($17.19) … all trading up on 4/10/2014.
As I said, I’m conflicted as to the direction of our economy and our country. There is instability not only here, but in the world. Our leaders and those of us electing them show little desire to deal with current problems, let alone our nation’s rapidly growing debt, underfunded entitlements and move in the direction of socialism which is not a prescription for growth. As government grows in size and control, it oppresses both people and business … and in turn grows a more dependent citizenry.
Let’s call this a follow up post on tracking fuel economy (or “non-economy”) as I took the opportunity to fill the 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel with B-20. My station of choice between Mansfield and Columbus Ohio is a Sunoco at the I-71 exit 151 and has carried a variety of domestic renewable fuels including B-2, B-10 and B-20 (biodiesel). The convenience and price are both reasons this station is preferred as I drive by going north and south (station could use a clean up and some relabeling). On Thursday evening the $4.04 price for B-20 was 6 cents per gallon higher than the dino-diesel making it “fairly” priced for an Ohio grown substitute. My advocacy has waned in recent years, but I’m still a supporter of domestically renewable options … sure would love to see it succeed on its own without government intervention … but the convoluted nature of politics and energy are too complex for the average Joe to figure out.
