SAD, or Seasonal Affected Disorder (AKA Winter Blahs) is something that's been in the news lately around here. Althought it's far more complicated, It's essentially a depression caused by lack of sunlight. Here in Michigan, in the month of December, for example, we had 14 minutes of sunshine. The whole month.

Anyway, while I don't seem to suffer from it, I have noticed a bit of SAFE, (Which I just made up), or Seasonal Affected Fuel Economy. It's caused by poor weather "polluting" your tank data, causing you not to want to drive in bad weather or during the colder days or months, a negative interest in posting your tank data, and a disinterest in other hybrid owners, and in some cases, anger at those who live in areas not affected by SAFE.

So, anyone else suffer from SAFE?

First 4WD Hypermiler

Have you read the FEH FAQ?

Live in Michigan? Let it be known in Michigan Roll Call

Read My Automotive Blog at Rich Rambles

Yes, here in Canton MA, very much so.. I think we had 5 min of sunshine in december. I tried to overcome SAFE by pumping my tires up to 100psi using hydrogen but it didn't seem to help. Just made the car a little lighter... Next I'm going to try and install silverstar headlights in my dash for a little added light in the interior....

Funny!

My hydroponics experiment

You ever notice how hard it is to lip read cartoon characters?
"Crazy is what the sane call Delta Flyer"

--

Wow, that's really hard for me to imagine, coming from the sunshine state and all.

::Runs for cover::

A point made by some is that solar energy is not appropriate for Michigan since it is the cloudiest state in the union. But my sister-in-law pointed out, "We need it more than anyone else!"

And while it is milder now in the front end of January, we took a bad cold weather hit in December. I watched my AMPG go down and down . . .

It took all my will power to recognize that I was still doing much better than if I had been driving a non-hybrid. Even my neighbor who was bragging about the FE superiority of his diesel over my hybrid had to admit that he took a bigger hit than I did in the cold weather. (I didn't mention that I was one of those who had to breathe his fumes while he was warming up.)

The good news about Michigan weather is "If you don't like it, wait a minute."

The bad news about Michigan weather is "If you do like it, wait a minute."

But there is no way I would trade a good honest Michigan winter for a southern Florida or California summer! I am not a hot weather person.

'06 FEH 2WD "Sainte Marie"

Well for all you folks in Michigan, here is some:



Sorry; That's the best I can do for you all in this short notice:

Sunny;

Terry

I feel your pain! Seattle will have its 23rd STRAIGHT day of rain tomorrow! We are looking at breaking the record in the next 10 days, or at least that's what the weather man is saying in his 10 day forecast. Anybody in Florida got an extra room for a week or too? I think I'm starting to rust!
Maybe I should buy a boat! Do they make a hybrid outboard?

I can tell it's a girl 'cause she tells me where to turn.

My mileage hasn't been that great but I know it's the temps coupled with the fact that the car has maybe 300 miles on it total. Right now I'm just experimenting with driving technique, enjoying watching that fuel gauge drop even slower than my old Civic, and breathing in a few less emissions.

To paraphrase a well known movie "Drive it and the FE will come."