en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/777173 Comments by binderme http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280021447 Our current light duty diesel emissions ( car specific emissions rules ) rules don't give any clean air but they do block the highest mpg vehicles ever built from the US market. It is completely stupid to have these strict emissions requirements on vehicles that make up less than 1 % of the on road today fleet..........These over stringent emissions rules on vehicles that no one but VW has sold in the US since 1986 model year. Pickups sold in the US over the last 26 years haven't, still don't have to pass these emissions rules....... Today in Europe you can buy a BlueMotion TDI Polo that has no trouble hitting close to 80 mpgUS in real world driving, A similar Golf BlueMotion that easily hits mid 70s mpgs US, A similar Passat BlueMotion that achieves high 60s to around 70 mpgUS. Every auto maker sells similar models to these everywhere else in the world. In countries where diesel offerings like described above are sold they can't give away hybrids of any type...........Why would anyone want an expensive hybrid of any sort when a diesel can easily beat their mpgs @ as little as 1/3rd the cost?????.......they don't...... Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:13:53 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280021447 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280006790 The over rating well above reality today given to all hybrids gives them an unfair made up advantage over diesels and small displacement gasoline powered with manual trans models........ Today the epa is giving automatics of all sorts similar or higher ratings than manual trans versions of the same models, numbers that no one will ever see lowers real world CAFE by at least 30-40 % today. And lastly giving SUVs and Pickups ratings that no one will ever get within 40-50 % of real world is allowing these gasoline wasting models to continue to be sold. I wonder what the reaction of drivers will be this summer if we actually do hit the $5 or more mark for RUG this summer???????? I already drive a ~50 mpgUS diesel VW so the impact will not be that much to me. But the cost will be devistating to the idiots that still is under the illusion they can drive a 6-12 mpgUS real world SUV or Pickup as a passenger vehicle. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:54:53 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280006790 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280001327 >Today diesels are rated at what is actually the real world mixed consumption for a highway rating. The epa ratings also ridiculously claim automatic ratings to be the same or higher than manual equipped models which in no way matches real world. What the ratings should be on the current Passat TDI manual trans 35 city/ 45 mixed/ 52-54 highway. The Passat TDI DSG model should be 30 city/ 38 mixed/ 45-48 highway. The other diesel offerings from the other German auto makers are similarly under rated from real world. Having the window epa rating today be extremely low below what they actually should be is hurting sales to for people that would purchase a diesel if the epa rating actually gave a real picture of consumption. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:47:42 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280001327 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280001112 The current epa rating when it comes to diesels like the VW, BMW, MB and Audi offerings is admitted to be low by a minimum of 25-30 % below real world. So this make the window sticker rating less than useless when it comes to diesel offerings. The Hybrid offerings rating are at least 25-30 % above real world. The automatic offerings of all type make the silly not backed up by reality claim that automatics can achieve close to or more mpgs than manual trans models. SUVs and Pickups are given ratings that are as much as 40 % above what will be ever seen real world. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:47:23 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/fuel-economy-what-are-we-missing/#IDComment280001112 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-fiat-500-review/#IDComment213204491 this thing is pointless without a diesel option............ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:51:28 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-fiat-500-review/#IDComment213204491 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211891340 I said "some" not all.............. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:30:37 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211891340 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211789871 Do I wished they would actually post the limit at these speeds so I would have to play the stupid game of are they going to single me out for a speed fee( ticket ), yes. But today with most states allowing me to go as fast as I feel safe today ( 80-90 mph in many states ) I can live with being able to drive these speeds where they will let me with no regard to the actual under posted speed limit. Now I would go a step farther, post reasonable & prudent limits for a large part of the rural America. I drove 10s of thousands of miles across Montana during the time this was their limit and can say that drivers, most drivers will top out in good weather @ ~90 mph on freeways and 75 mph on rural highways. They had actual limit in built up areas and traffic slowed to comply. But as soon as you cleared that area speeds rose safely back to the 90 and 75 mph range respectively but not above. I was always amazed by what would happen coming out of Wyoming into Montana. Traffic, and there was traffic would calmly and safely go from around 80-84 mph in Wyoming to around the 90 mph range. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:56:27 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211789871 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211789820 As far as the maximum legally posted limit across the US I agree with you that is set ridiculously low compared to what is in fact the safe speed today. But in allowed speeds today, actual enforced limits are closer to that zone you speak of. In many parts of the US today you can without a care cruise as high as the low 80s as long as you stay below 85 mph. In a few southern, midwestern and western states the enforced limit is around 90-95 on rural freeways. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:56:16 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/left-lane-to-pass-please/#IDComment211789820 http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/131898418.html#IDComment207876009 Our cars today in no way compare to what we were driving 50 years ago when Oregon's limits of today were conceived. Tires, brakes, steering, suspensions, are so far ahead of what they were 50 years ago that no real practical reason can be given for keeping out dated posted limits. All around the world the adopted limits are 75-85 mph, (120-140 kph) which is comfortable and safe in today's cars. In many parts of the US today these are the allowed speeds and are safe. It would be nice if Oregon would take note and allow these to be the posted limits where they can safely be posted. Which would be on about 95 % of Oregon freeways. Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:05:04 +0000 http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/131898418.html#IDComment207876009 http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/131898418.html#IDComment207874567 Another repeating of the same lie about speed by itself being dangerous, it isn't. The truth is that speed doesn't kill and isn't a danger but the difference in speeds between drivers does cause a danger to us all. Oregon is a prime example of what lower than practical and not reality based posted limits gives you, 99 % of the drivers on the road ignoring them. In states that have adopted higher limits more in line with the 85th percentile speeds the roads and freeways are safer per miles traveled. All across the west freeway limits are allowed as high as 85 mph and two lane rural roads are allowed as high as 75 mph. If ~75-80 mph is the 85 % prevalent traveled freeway speed that is what is safest so should be posted. Trying to keep the limit posted, under posted in Oregon by 10 mph low at a minimum has only lead to it having no influence on travel speed, a fact backed up by 60+ years of DOT data. Stop the silliness of trying to enforce a limit that no one will pay any attention to........... Sat, 15 Oct 2011 13:00:15 +0000 http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/131898418.html#IDComment207874567 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-ford-escape-review/#IDComment197114019 Oh and the auto makers claim of they can't sell diesel options here, bullsh!t!!!! All of the German auto makers selling diesel models sell every last model they bring here at a premium price without even having advertise them. So auto makers making excuses, try again with a lie not so easy to see through....... And I guarantee if the auto makers got together to try to push congress to amend emissions standards to match the current EU standard they would grant it to help sales in a second today!! Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:38:20 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-ford-escape-review/#IDComment197114019 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-ford-escape-review/#IDComment197110328 Why will these automakers not bring diesel options to the US. They achieve 40-60 % better fuel economy and are already on sale everywhere else in the world. We must adopt similar to EU regs on emissions and open this market up for diesel model sales. It is completely stupid to have over stringent emissions standards, the strickest in the world on vehicles that make up less than 1 % of the total US fleet. Not one litre of air is cleaned by having these stupid emissions standards on vehicles no auto maker other than VW/Audi/BMW/MB sell here. And pickup trucks with diesels that are sold here are not required to meet the same regs as cars. So where is all the clean air these stupid regs are giving us, THEY AREN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We could export oil instead of need to import oil if just 15 % of the US fleet were diesel powered. If people must continue to buy the gas hog which is what the best of these are with gasoline power we must have diesel options!!!!!!!!!! Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:31:25 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/2012-ford-escape-review/#IDComment197110328 http://blog.motorists.org/vehicle-safety-inspections-principle/#IDComment187826093 I have had this debate with one of my friends in the west that lives in a state that had this inspection at one time but now doesn't. Are there enough idiots saved for what it costs us all to keep them safe by forcing them to keep good tires, to make sure all of their lights work and are pointing the at the correct angle. Is the air made cleaner by making sure everyone has the correct exhaust system for their year and model??????????? Are we all made safer for what it costs every year???? At one time I believed we were, today I'm not as sure.......... I have been a mechanic for over 35 years at this point and have seen some scary stuff running around the roads in Colorado, a state that did away with it's yearly inspection over ~25 years ago. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:55:01 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/vehicle-safety-inspections-principle/#IDComment187826093 http://blog.motorists.org/vehicle-safety-inspections-principle/#IDComment187825979 I grew up in a state that still requires that yearly inspection. They just changed the rules to make it harder to get around that inspection a few years ago. And I have spent a lot of time in several states that don't any inspection system, haven't for decades What I can tell you is the older stuff running around my home state is in far better shape safety wise compared to the older vehicles in the states I spend time in that don't, at least in the states I know well. So the real question is not do inspections work to make vehicles that share the road safer tire wise, brake wise, suspension wise, tail light wise and headlight wise because I've seen first hand that they do. But does the cost to benefit balance out??? Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:54:37 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/vehicle-safety-inspections-principle/#IDComment187825979 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435804 Every other auto maker could offer fleets of 40+ mpgUS diesel powered models if the driving public demanded it today. IF we all chose fuel efficient models like this we wouldn't need to import a drop of oil. In fact we would have enough oil out of the ground today to export it if we so chose!!!!!!! Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:37:10 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435804 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435754 And hybrids of any type will never equal what a regular diesel powered auto like the VW Polo BlueMotionTDI, Audi A2 class TDI, MB A class CDI diesel, ect.... Euro spec diesel powered auto can produce consumption wise, in lower cost to the environment pollution wise out the tail pipe & to build and in cost to build. This is why the rest of the world where fuel is $8-10 a USgal diesel power rules and hybrids barely exist. If americans are too ignorant to do simple math of we all need to purchase the most efficient model to do what we need done everyday then we must have a price high enough at the pump to force this. No one needs to or should purchase a 10-15 mpg pickup to use that low mpg pickup as a car never caring anything other than their large behind. That is when there are plenty of options available to do any job they ever need that can easily achieve 40+ mpgs. One auto maker sell a small hatch( Golf TDI ), a medium size car ( Jetta TDI ), a wagon that can do almost anything a small pickup can do ( Jetta wagon TDI ), a large sedan ( the Passat TDI ) all of these have no trouble with everyday driving at today's highway speeds achieving mid 40s mpgUS. Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:36:56 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435754 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435640 Our federal highway system was/is built with money from every state rich and poor alike from the fuel and gas tax because every state benefits from that road system existing today. The current highway and freeway system would never have been built without a national gas tax. We all benefit immensely from the fact that this system of taxing gasoline and diesel was used to build a highway system unmatched in history from money collected in rich states and used to build this federal highway system across poor states. That is a indisputable fact........... And on choosing a fuel efficient vehicle, the first diesel I ever owned paid for itself at the pump saving in 18 months of driving. That is what I would have put in the tank of my previous car in gasoline compared to what the cost of the diesel fuel I actually used was equal to the entire cost of the diesel auto I purchased and drove for many years. And that was over 30 years ago so to date I have save 10s of thousands of dollars by choosing to only own and drive auto diesels that have no trouble exceeding 40-45 mpgUS tank after tank. And that is over 3,000,000 miles clocked behind the wheel. Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:36:24 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment184435640 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment183655491 the diesel tax should be less than the gas tax in the US to encourage auto amkers and car buyers to choose these most efficient options. I say charge double for the gas tax to discourage the least efficient models from ever reaching our highways. And before someone chimes in on heavy trucks to the most damage, they use way more fuel so pay way more taxes. And if that isn't sufficient then charge them a higher tax than autos with diesel engines. Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:13:24 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/federal-gas-tax-expires-september-30/#IDComment183655491 http://blog.motorists.org/2011-dmv-odyssey/#IDComment179304026 In my home state the right wing racist republicans claiming they were trying to stop voter fraud ( bullsh!t ) tried and were blocked from passing a law denying the right to vote to those that don't have a state issued ID. It has been estimated that close to or over 100,000 - 150,000 of the state's population don't drive nor do they have a state ID. What kind of country are we turning into?????????? This kind of national ID has been voted down every time the voters were given a say, i GUESS WE DON'T HAVE A SAY ANY LONGER IN THIS............................................I'm moving back under my rock where it's safe from this kind of garbage. Do we really care so little about our freedom that we are willing to allow such garbage. WT** is going on Tue, 2 Aug 2011 06:16:58 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/2011-dmv-odyssey/#IDComment179304026 http://blog.motorists.org/2011-dmv-odyssey/#IDComment179303931 I have been asked for an email when renewing my dr and license plate but I have never given one. I don't want nor do I have a facebook account or twiter or what ever................I only use the internet to read news papers and such. I have more than a few friends that have never used the internet, don't even own a computer. Does this kind of crap mean that the population of my state that still doesn't use use the internet, hundreds of thousands of people that have done not a single thing wrong will be denied these things?? MY mother who is in her late 70s, a friends wife that is 83, several other people I know that don't use the internet will be blocked from renewing their DR license or license plate next time renewal comes up ???????????? Tue, 2 Aug 2011 06:16:23 +0000 http://blog.motorists.org/2011-dmv-odyssey/#IDComment179303931