Weight Gain Means Lower Gas Mileage

[NVMojo]

CHICAGO (AP) -

Want to spend less at the pump? Lose some weight. That's the implication of a new study that says Americans are burning nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of their expanding waistlines. Simply put, more weight in the car means lower gas mileage.

Using recent gas prices of $2.20 a gallon, that translates to about $2.2 billion more spent on gas each year.

"The bottom line is that our hunger for food and our hunger for oil are not independent. There is a relationship between the two," said University of Illinois researcher Sheldon Jacobson, a study co-author.

"If a person reduces the weight in their car, either by removing excess baggage, carrying around less weight in their trunk, or yes, even losing weight, they will indeed see a drop in their fuel consumption."

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/oct/25/102500143.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[VTMechEngr]

2. For each person, the effect is small -

From story-

"The lost mileage is pretty small for any single driver. Jacobson said the typical driver - someone who records less than 12,000 miles annually - would use roughly 18 fewer gallons of gas over the course of a year by losing 100 pounds. At $2.20 per gallon, that would be a savings of almost $40."

For the average person, the simple act of cleaning out the back seat could yield the required offset for any weight gain. The numbers look impressive, but the individual effect is not. Your going to see more effect from just tire pressure than from this.

[1932]

5. However, there are millions of drivers.

[VTMechEngr]

9. But to state that obesity is a factor....

When 1 psi in tire inflation has a greater effect? Even speed will burn or save more fuel that that.

Use the cruise control and slow down.

[1932]

19. Every little bit helps

[kysrsoze]

23. This is the absolute dumbest article I've ever seen - here's why: Auto Bloat

Automobile weight bloat makes the weight of the driver a non-factor. If you pay attention, just about every car on the market will get heavier with a redesign. This is because they add in additional safety features (well, this one must be done), sound-deadening materials, electronics such as DVD players and nav systems, bigger dimensions, etc. Most automobile dimensions have consistently increased over the years.

Know how much of an impact this is? The Honda Civic now weighs in at about 3,400 pounds. That's twice as much as it originally weighed in the late '70s and more than my Infiniti sedan. The Land Rover LR3 (the middle-size truck) weighs 6,500lbs, as does the Volkswagen Touareg. This, combined with the never-ending horsepower race, is why overall mileage of all automobile sold in the U.S. today (not including trucks) is the same as it was in the late '80s/early '90s.

[PeaceProgProsp]

28. Dropping 100 lbs of your own weight is easier than dropping

100 lbs from the weight of the car you drive.

This is a way to save gas that can be controlled by the driver.

Also, car weight has increased, but mileage has remained the same because of improvements in engine technology. So, that's good. That you can improve your mileage by dropping your own weight is good too.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. W00t! I'm golden.

At 105lbs, I no longer have to feel guilt for driving an SUV, as I'm already doing my part to reduce fuel consumption.

[petronius]

7. It doesn't work that way - you don't get credit for things

you were already doing...

If you don't want to be an Evil SUV Driver^TM, you still need to drop the 100 pounds...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. I'd have to go back to being a fetus. I mean, I was like 7lbs when I was born.

Anyway, how can this be an Evil SUV? I have the most liberal SUV on the street!

[Binka]

10. Slick Sled Haruka! I'd Be Proud To Ride Shot Gun!

Plus at 5-9 and 126 pounds I wouldn't affect the gas mileage either!:hi:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. Cool!

That way I can tow a couple thousand pounds of boat behind it.

:hi:

[Binka]

12. Very COOL This Aquarian LOVES The Water

In fact I just finished doing water aerobics in my fucking wet suit. I am hard core! Fishing, swimming, water skiing.... if it's wet I am so there.

BTW thanks for speaking out in that other MOST FUCKED UP thread. I swear 65% of the posters in that shitfest I have on ignore. Jaysus!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

13. This Aquarian/Pisces loves the water.

Which one? There's multiple "MOST FUCKED UP" threads currently. This should be a happy time, but instead it's just depressing. Hell, my Republican parents and friends congratulated me today. DUers blamed NJ gays for ruining their election. Talk about role reversal. :eyes:

[Binka]

14. The "This Will Cost Us The Senate" Thread

Beyond the fucking beyond.:silly: Wow so you are a cuspy Aq/Pi? I am the 14th so I am near the tail end of the Aq thingy. I think DU is going to see a shit-load of weird threads the closer we get to the election. The deeply closeted 1000+ trolls will start to expose themselves. I have this really cool Italian enamel and silver ring that I bought in early 2004 and I dubbed it the POWER RING, it was my talisman for winning the WH in 04, I took it off after Kerry conceded and haven't put it back on until today. We are so gonna kick ass.

I might even think about moving back to the States if we can shut down The FuckTard in Chief.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Motor Vehicles Have Gained Even More Weight

[NMMNG]

6. Lose 100lbs to save $40?

I'm not saying I don't need to lose weight but I'm sure there are better ways to motivate a person than this. :rofl:

[pinerow]

15. I have an idea that might work...instead of waiting in the drive-up

lane that is ten or fifteen cars deep, with their cars cars idling and the A/C running...why don't they get out of the car and WALK inside...I'm sure that will save a bit on gas...:toast:

[NotGivingUp]

16. we can't lose weight because of all the MSG their throwing in

our food. it's in everything and it causes people to turn into blimps...and get diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers, etc.

[NorthernSpy]

17. Taller people use more resources! Feed your kids a height-limiting diet! ...

My folks gave me meat and milk, and look what happened: I'm several inches taller than average, and wear size 11 1/2 shoes.

The taller the person, the bigger the feet; the bigger the feet, the bigger the shoes. And we all know that it takes more material to make big shoes than small ones. Taller people need bigger cars, and bigger beds, and bigger clothes, and bigger everything. All of that takes precious natural resources to provide.

Tall people are not better in any way than short people. So do the planet a favor and start feeding your kids a height-limiting diet today! If you don't, you're wasteful and irresponsible, and Part Of The Problem.



:eyes:

[Maine-ah]

26. then at under five feet tall,

I'm doing my part :)

[all.of.me]

18. lol - how pathetic!

Anything but finding alternative energy sources!

[Nikia]

20. "Typical driver...Lose 100 pounds"

I really don't think that the average American is that far overweight. The typical driver would have a serious health problem from being underweight if they lost 100 pounds.

[LeftyMom]

21. I figure if I lost 100 lbs, my fuel consumption would drop to zero

On account of the being dead and all...

[Nikia]

22. Me too

Even when I was "heavy" this would been true too. There aren't too many 5'5' 50 pounders walking around. Now, I wonder if I'd be that light creamated.

[Blue_Tires]

24. strange

you would think that people would lobby the automakers to make their vehicles less heavy (they have been gaining poundage over the years to the point where 3600 lbs is now considered 'light' for passenger cars)

much, MUCH better mileage gains are to be had by automakers shedding off 200 pounds during the design rather than trying to get drivers to lose 20 (this story might as well be asking us all to never take passengers, either)

[kestrel91316]

25. Sad that people actually have to be TOLD this.

I bet there are many that are genuinely surprised at this factoid, and even some who don't believe it and think it's just more liberal tree-hugging crap.

[sendero]

27. I'm looking forward to the whole paper..

... they leave out a lot of key facts here, such as what is the average MPG they assumed for their calculation and where did they get it. It is a huge component of the number.

At 18 gallons lets assume an average MPG of 20, meaning that out of 12,000 miles you get an extra 360 for a 100 pound reduction. I find that a little hard to believe.