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260 comments on DrumBeat: May 10, 2008
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260 comments on DrumBeat: May 10, 2008
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There are a few places. I think that's the law in Oregon as well, and I have run into it at places in Europe.
But, even without that, there could be a campaign reminding people to check the air when they fill up, while making air hoses available at the pumps (instead of tucked off in a corner).
Here in Ontario media coverage of fuel prices is now a daily feature. Most of the local TV coverage regularily includes tips on how to save and tire pressure is always included as well as driving style tips. However whenever I visit Canadian Tire stores invariably the housewares and do-dads sections are the busiest with very little traffic in the automotive sections. I think a lot of people don't even know the car has tires, let alone that there is air in them.
Charity groups could check the air pressure for a free-will donation. Like some of them do with car washes.
Hey, I was about to post that! Yes, it would be a lot easier than washing cars and could even be done by old farts like me.
That will never happen. It requires gas station owners to invest in new infrastructure, when a lot of them are hurting from the high prices worse than their customers.
Besides, checking tire pressure is best done before you start driving, not at the gas station when you may have been driving for awhile.
What do you think of the WSJ's idea that we should sell oil from the SPR?
It requires gas station owners to invest in new infrastructure...
I think most of them already have the compressors. It's a matter of education and access.
What do you think of the WSJ's idea that we should sell oil from the SPR?
It's kind of like running without insurance. It's a great way to save money - provided I don't have an accident.
If one had some kind of knowledge that oil would definitely be lower in the future - and the guy advocating that clearly felt that way - then it would make sense. But if you think oil is going much higher, then it would be stupid. Remember, people have been calling for the SPR to be tapped since oil hit $20. Imagine the situation we would be in now - $120 oil and an empty SPR - if those calls had been heeded.
They have the compressors, but as you note, there's usually one, off in a corner, away from the pumps. Having them at the pump, as you suggest, would force stations to have more than one.
Yeah, but the non-peak oil aware won't really care about that. They just want to know if it will work. (And note they are in favor of maintaining a certain minimum level in the SPR, so we'd never be entirely without insurance.)
And we'd be able to fill up again, once oil drops below $40/barrel!
I think that we need the SPR. Remember New Orleans after the flood. A major city without gasoline will look the same in a few days.
That's really the perfect comeback for people like us to use. Of course, the government can't use it lest it cause panic. This administration probably even has reason to think oil could soon spike, and they can't say that either.
It's the strategic reserve, not the "cheapskate" reserve anyhow.
Maybe our fine President *knows* there will be a problem with oil supply in the near future...
Like when we invade Iran?
In which case the reserve would probably be used to make fuel for military vehicles and aircraft. In the event of an attack on Iran, fuel shortages would last a lot longer then 90 days, and the US military is one of the world's largest users of oil...during WWII, people didn't drive unless they got the right permit...everyone else walked or took a bus.
As I see it, the SPR isn't there so we can keep driving to the Dairy Queen in our SUVs -- it's there for the military, and emergency services, and health care, in the event of a national crisis. I don't think selling oil out of the SPR would make much of a difference in oil prices -- we here in the U.S. are no longer driving the bus, when it comes to global oil demand and consumption.
The DOE wants to do this with the SPR:
/
Iran has 20 million barrels of heavy oil in storage in tankers. I suspect that they would be willing to make a one time deal at a good price (payable in euros through Swiss bank). This would effectively fill our SPR (701.x to 721.x million barrels) and allow us to bomb them.
Best Hopes for Rational Behavior :-(
Alan
Around South Florida even 'free air' regardless of where it is located is scarce. Most self serves with "convenience" stores have the air and water off to the side AND for seventy-five cents!
Pete
Not only are tucked off in a corner, but they are usually coin operated. Last week I needed one because of a slow leak, I had to ask at the pay counter. At least they turned it on for me for free, as I am a frequent customer. Otherwise the machine wanted $.75 for the honor of using it.
Wow, I never heard of such a thing. I thought you always had to pay. It would never even occur to me to ask to use it free.
Why don't we just use handpumps? I have a $7.50 pump I bought a few years back, and a nice round airpressure gauge. You should always have both in your car at all times, anyway! It ain't THAT hard!
I purchased emergency gizmos for both our cars that will inflate a tire and run off the car battery. They also have a built-in flashlight and warning flashers. They cost about $20, I think (made in China, of course). I've been looking for a manual foot pump, but I haven't found one yet (admittedly, I haven't been looking very hard or in the right places yet).
I've been looking for a manual foot pump,
Visit any bike sections in a tarket/kmart/mal-wart big box store. Downside - they are flimsy.
At least in California, state law now requires gas stations to provide free air to customers. If they have a pay machine you can ask the clerk and he'll give you a token or a quarter. The law was passed a year or two ago to encourage energy efficiency and safety.