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Old 08-30-2012, 05:07 AM   #1
BB_TX
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Has technology changed your driving habits?

Don't know what Chevy/GMC or Dodge have, but my 2012 Ford has a screen on the info center that shows average mpg in a small box near the middle of the screen. A line from that box extends to the left side of the screen and moves up and down as the avg mpg go up and down.
Also along the left side of the screen a green bar graph indicating instantaneous mpg slides up/down continuously as you accellerate/cruise/decellerate. Near the bottm is low mpg, near the top is high mpg. The line from the box extends across the bar graph. If the green is above the line, it shows you are currently running slightly over your average. If below, you are running slightly below your average.
Now I find myself trying to keep the green above the avg line. Combined city/highway seems to have settled in at about 15.0 mpg. If it drops to 14.9, I feel like I have some how failed in my efforts. But if I can get it up to 15.1, it seems a great accomplishment.
Do I need help?
 
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Old 08-30-2012, 05:16 AM   #2
bncinwv
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I would prescribe a post it note strategically placed over the info center when you are towing!! You do not want to watch the display when you are accelerating and going uphill with the rig behind you!!
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Old 08-30-2012, 05:19 AM   #3
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To answer your first question...YES. Technology has changed the way I drive. Do you need help...now that is a good question. With some of the technical add-ons, I get the feeling that I may become addicted (like some people are to their I-Phones).

I used to drive around 65 until I got my new truck with average and instant mpg available. Now I drive around 60 trying to get the mpg up as high as I can. Hmmm. Now I know I am addicted.
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Old 08-30-2012, 05:49 AM   #4
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Technology has not affected my driving habits near as much as had the price at the pump. Having pulled a trailer now for 30+years I understand that factors such as wind, terrain, consistency of speed, average speed, and load will affect my day to day fuel economy (or lack there of). It is the price at the pump that has made those factors more important to my driving habits. The technology has made it easier to plan my fuel stops, but any more my wallet drives my behavior.
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Old 08-30-2012, 06:37 AM   #5
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AMEN.... I'm tired of hearing every excuse under the sun as to why the fuel prices are going up. They are all liars and have millions invested in the stocks for oil.
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Old 08-30-2012, 08:40 AM   #6
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The driver's information center on my truck is located just above the steering wheel where the gear selector normally appears. Thankfully, I can turn it off...
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Old 08-30-2012, 09:57 AM   #7
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Actually, my last three Dodge trucks have had that and yes it did slow me down (although the motivating factor is the price at the pump). More than that the new Rand McNally GPS that warns me when the speed limit is about to change is really having an effect also. When I'm towing I really like to watch the traffic and cross traffic and now I don't have to pay as close attention to speed limit signs.
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Old 08-30-2012, 11:14 AM   #8
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The price at the pump is what motivates me also. The display just makes me more aware of my driving practices/habits. I tend to ease back on the throttle more after getting up to speed, watch ahead for traffic lights and coast farther if I see one turning red ahead, accellerate easier, etc.
Mentally comparing it to how I drove before I can tell there is quite a bit of difference.
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Old 08-30-2012, 11:33 AM   #9
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Friends of ours just got a 2012 Ford F-250 with all the wiz-bangs gizmos. We took a ride and I told him I drive right off the road cause I'd be playing with the video thingy instead of paying attention to the road!

The technology is amazing. I guess it's good but who knows. Seems to me the fun of driving is slowly going away.
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Old 08-30-2012, 04:46 PM   #10
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Cell phones/smart phones, GPS’s, CB radios, back up cameras etc…the list can go on & on. I certainly enjoy the benefits of having some of them. I enjoy using a GPS that plans the route, warns you of various things, speed, curves, low bridges etc… I enjoy the GPS posting the speed limit wherever you are at. CB radios for a heads up situation. How did we ever make it before we had all of them? It seems like they are common place anymore but still we must not allow them to become a distraction. My concern is how much it can distract from what would normally be good driving habits? We must remain vigilant not only for ourselves but for the other driver. I’ve seen it all. Be very careful out there and don’t become a statistic!
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Old 08-30-2012, 05:21 PM   #11
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Just as long as you don’t start texting each other while you are driving down the interstate
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Old 08-31-2012, 03:02 AM   #12
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Thanks to GPS I have forgotten how to read a map! I just go where I am told.
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Old 08-31-2012, 10:18 AM   #13
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Just wait until insurance comapnies start requiring devices like the Snapshot unit Progressive is hawking right now.
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