Hi folks,
I'm venting but every time I see someone touting "P&G" and "hype" anything, this photo springs to mind as the perfect reply:
Hypermiler:
Pulse and Glide
Challenge
The butt of my joke has to do with the "hyped" properties of P&G that appears to suck the air out of all other considerations for efficient driving. Things like block heaters, route planning and other solutions are ignored because "P&G" is the one and only answer in all cases. The hype has reached the point where P&G is touted as if it has replaced the ordinary laws of Newtonian physics and a Nobel Prize awaits the inventor of P&G. Mostly, I'm tired of the "hype" about "hypermiling" and "pulse and glide" but there is a selfish reason for my disapproval.
When
Mother Jones prints an article about extreme hypermiling, someone in an insurance company begins thinking, "You know these hybrid owners are dangerous" and the Traveller's 10% hybrid discount is at risk. Sensible hybrid drivers who give excellent interviews find their stories often have extra stuff about the extreme 'turning off engines' and 'tailgating trucks.' Hypermiler has become to efficient driving what 'Hells Angles' are to motorcycling, the wrong image.
So if you see a few 'joke' replies to future threads about "hypermiler" and "P&G," understand it is just swinging a "clue by four." I love irony and hopefully a little humor will help folks move beyond the hype to efficient driving and vehicle improvements.
Bob Wilson