Investments or Waste of Money?

To keep the car a bit longer than usual, do I replace parts before they really go bad, or should these parts be replaced where the maximum benefit can be realized?

For most of us, the suspension parts, like shocks and struts are not replaced until they are already completely out of service life, and caused some damage to the tires and steering. If the struts are good for 80-150k miles, and only planning to keep the vehicle for 200~220K, should they be replaced half-way, regardless whether struts/shocks are completely out of commission?

Well, I did it. My cars has new struts/shocks and oxygen sensors replaced - even though the handling was still acceptable, the check-engine light wasn't on yet. Replacing these parts on my own terms, and replacing them at my half-way mark of planned ownership, I hope this was a logical decisions.

The new suspension parts improves the "braking" more secure, there is no hint of nose dive anymore. I am going the turn at the usual high-speed, the cars doesn't lean and slide any more. It handles like a real new fun car all over again.

Lyle Bien -1996 Taiwan

Vice Admiral Lyle G Bien USN (Ret.) was in command of the Nimitz Battle Group throughout her response to the Taiwan Missile Crisis in 1996.

A family man.

In 1996, Taiwan held the very direct democratic presidential election (in the past, the president was elected by mostly appointed representatives of provinces [省; shěng] of mainland China.

An act of true democracy, Chinese Communist decided to intimidate the hearts and will of this democratic process by launching warhead carrying missile over Taiwanese territory waters everyday, for 30 days toward the election day.

Vice Admiral Lyle G Bien commanded USN 7th Fleet to patrol area to deter Chinese hostile action. By positioning the 7th Fleet near Taiwan and Japan was sufficient to deter Chinese missile launching activities.

Why are we continue to trade down our believe of democratic process for cheap Chinese goods?

Chinese continues to post a threat toward democratic process

Bio Diesel - the New Fuel

by Joe Gokaho 2010.03.14 D7

Bio Diesel can be made is a relative short period of time, by extracting oil from plants like algae. It will be a better alternative than refining fossil.

I found this article from "Truck Trend" an interesting read.

# # #

Entering the TruckTrend.com and Gas vs Diesel as your keywords.

# # #

Even though the article is nearly 8-9 years old, but it still make sense.

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/tech/163_0210_diesel_vs_gas/index.html

Replacing Vehicle Shocks & Struts

When is it time to replace shocks and struts?

Replacing shocks and struts on a vehicle is an very large expense. When do I need to replace them at all? Unlike tires, the vehicle still can pass state inspection with leaking shocks. There is no real driving force to make one to replace them, except one's personal preference.

Last time I had to replace shocks was because all four shocks were completely out of commission. The truck was bouncing around, hard to control./steer, and and tires were worn pre-maturely.

If I plan to keep the car for 100,000 miles, do I sell the car as is with the original shocks?

If I plan to keep the car for 130,000 miles, do I ride out the "bad time'?

If I plan to keep the car until it dies (say 200,000), do I wait until the bad shocks had done damages to other components of the vehicle?

If I plan to keep the car for say 200,000 miles, do I change them out somewhere in between, says, 120,000?

A set of shocks and struts runs about ($40x2 + $75 x 2) = $230, and the installation and alignment $300 - is it worth the extra expense?

Why cash out property before changed to rental use?

by Joe Gokaho 2010.02.12 D5

I am thinking about buying another property and converting existing primary home into a rental property. An accountant suggests to "cash out" as much as possible and use that as the down payment toward the new house. But why?

Why shifting the mortgage from your primary residence toward the rental property when interests in either "rental" and "primary residence" can be deducted from the tax returns.

As a rental property (Schedule E)

The Supplemental Income and Loss = rental income -expenses - interests - property tax -depreciation;

As a primary residence,

The interests, property tax are both deductible from the gross income.

# # #

When interest payment is deducted from Schedule E, the supplement income is added to AGI, when interest payment is deduct from Schedule A, AGI is also reduced.

So, it appears it doesn't affect the bottom line when determining taxes, right?

Well,

Many tax incentives are based on Adjusted Gross Income, the tax payment is based on (AGI - deductions). By shifting interests payment away from "Schedule A" to "Schedule E", you may qualify even more deductions. For example -the medical, educational deduction are based on AGI, if you have a lot of rental income, you may loose that deductions.

On the other hand, if you have losses on the rental property, you can only write off up to $25,000 a year. If your AGI is more than 150,000/yr - only part of the loss can be deducted. When I buy the 2nd, or 3rd or that vacation home -- it will be an interesting balancing act to avoid paying more taxes than you have to!

A New Texas Governor

by Joe Gokaho 2010.2.10 D3

I attended a GOP Texas Governor candidate rally at a local restaurant over the weekend. One asked why do I want to support Kay Bailey Hutchison, not Rick Perry? I am simple minded person, and my rational or irrational reasons are as follows:

1. Term limits - I think there is a reason for that. Kay is a good person, so as Perry, both of them have been on the same job too long. It's time for a change for both of them.

2. There are many projects that are driven by interests group, rather than "grass-root" demands. For example: The nice rest areas along Texas highways are great improvements over the olds, I use them often. But why did it cost 12 millions per rest area? I want it nice, but 12 millions a pop?? Gee

3. TxDot - is a mess. Transportation is an issue that affects everyone. Kay wants to get TxDot in order, if she can, it would a very positive effect toward prosperous economy.

# # #

Picture of Commissioner Wolff - interviewed at a Kay Bailey rally

Earned Income Tax Credit Needs to be Re-Tuned

by Joe Gokaho 2010.02.03 D3
This is the link to the "EITC" from the IRS website.
My main reason for opposing our current Earned Income Tax Credit is about the rules. It's all about AGI based.
Government wants us to rely on "government subsidy", not to work hard, because we might "earn too much" and loose EITC.
# # # #
Here are comparisons for "unjust" "unfairness" rules for qualifying EITC
# A A A #
Person A: has 2 qualifying children and makes $57,000 a year.
For Persona A takes standard deduction, the simple returns shows
that Persona A meets the EITC AGI threshold of $40,290 ($57,000 - 3 x exemption $3,700 - standard deduction $5,700 = $40,200)
Then person A get a check for $5,028, that makes
Person A earning = $57,000 and $5,028 tax free for a total $62,028/year
NOTE: EITC of $5,028 is equivalent to a W-2 wage 0f $6,905. //Note: FICA (6.2% & 1.45%) and federal income tax (10% for this tax bracket) or state income tax (CA 9.55%) //
# B B B #
Person B: has 2 qualifying children and he also makes $57,000 a year.
Person B decides take a part time job to supplement his income. The job pays $140 every weekends, That brings him a W-2 wages of $57,000 + $7,280 = $64,200
For Persona B takes standard deduction, the simple returns shows
The persona B has a AGI that EXCEEDS the EITC threshold of $40,290 ($64,200 - 3 x exemption $3,700 - standard deduction $5,700 = $47,400), so Person B doesn't get the $5,028 check.
For Person B, the real take home pay for that $140 weekend job, it only netted him $5,300 in his pocket.
Person B earning = $57,000 + $5,300 (after tax) = $62,300/year;
As is (do nothing) A earning = $57,000 and $5,028 = $62,028/year
# C C C #





Person C is making a bit more money that Person A and Person B, he pulls in $63,000 a year.
Person C figures out by contributing 10% of earning ($63,000) into his 401K plan will reduce his W-2 wages used for calculating AGI. The AGI is only $56,700 and Person C gets the EITC of $5,028
As (play with tax code) Person C earning = $63,000 + $5,138 (free) = $68,138

As (extra job) Person B earning = $57,000 + $5,300 (after tax) = $62,300/year;
As is (do nothing) A earning = $57,000 and $5,028 = $62,028/year

# # Freaking stupid policy # #

1. Why would Person B take on an "extra job" to help out the family, when government is telling you stay home like Person A - he is better off by doing nothing?
2. Why would Person C need more government assistance than Personal A? Person C is creating his personal wealth on tax payers back?

3. Why would someone improving their skill set to get a better paying job (says from $57,000 year to $67,000); then discovering that all that hard work yields same amount of beef ?

# # Tea Party Idea # #
Let EITC to be "age" based, not AGI based, helping out family with kids by giving parents more money into their pockets toward child education or after school activities. We are not penalizing higher wage earner, instead they will create more jobs for the economy in the "eduction sector" by sending their children everywhere as "consumers".
1. EITC is not a "cash back" based. EITC is not indexed AGI tax bracket.
2. Dependents - children under 25, are entitled to "additional deduction" - all filing format - either 1040 (long or short), taking standard deduction or itemized deduction, filing single, married, or head of household.
3. The exemption deduction of $3,700 per person still applies.
4. After AGI calculation, additional $12,000 deduction can be applied for 1 child, $16,000 deduction for 2 children or $20,000 for 3 or more children.
For the middle class, the typical tax bracket is around 15% to 25% bracket range;
The saving (15% -25% tax bracket) of $1,800 to $3,000~ $200 /month for 1 child,
or Saving of (15% -25% tax bracket) of $2,400 to $4,000 ~ $267 / months for 2
or Saving of (15%-25% tax bracket) of $3,000 to $5,000 ~ $333 /months for 3 or more
I call this a supply side (non-government) stimulus plan. It's not just cash in the pocket, but rather it is a fair and meaningful tax cut for educating our kids.

Texting Behind Wheels

by Joe Gokaho 2009.01.130 D6

A new bumper sticker ..

" If you love Jesus, honk,

& if you want to see him, Text him"

http://rts2go.blogsplot.com

.

Carfax Report - Should you avoid it completely??

by Joe Gokaho 2010.01.29 D5

http://www.komonews.com/news/consumer/5730906.html

I've seen many Carfax commercials on TV lately. It seems to be so promising, a good source for a complete car history.

Many of the used car dealers were eager to offer the reports, I didn't get it. Why would they do that. All the reports have "perfect records".

# # #

I dig into the history of my family cars to see how much of that information is capture by Carfax. Well, it missed a lot of important info.

Combining my personal experience and the the findings from the above article: There is the beef

1. Vehicle registration history. (salvage title for example)

2. Accident history - incomplete, or non-existence . Insurance companies don't send data to Carfax, many law enforcement don't sent data to Carfax either.

3. If the vehicle is totaled, there may be an entry say "water damage" or "major frame repairs"

4. The maintenance records are incomplete, some dealers send data to Carfax, some don't. The maintenance records were on my vehicles were incomplete.

# # #

What's is my conclusions?

1. If there is no accident history, be very skeptical.

2. If there is accident history, have a professional check out the repairs - may be it was only involved in a minor accident; it's not a nail in the coffin. A friend ran on a car he had for 10 years, 2 minor accidents, 1 major with frame damage. All had filed insurance claims and -non of them showed up in the Carfax report.

3. Mileage history/locations are useful to assess usage pattern.

Is it worth that $20?? May be if you use that with a professional inspection..

What's (Understanding) that MLS Code - Home Buying; hidden cost of owning a house

January 2010 - MLS Codes
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I am thinking of buying another house; it's hard not to pass the 6,500 credit/cash in the down market. Realtor sends me a daily update on properties that meets my criteria. The listing is full of codes that I don't understand.

These are interesting codes to know;

One can make offer under these codes
____ NEW (I think it stays new for 10 days); then
____ ACT (active listing);
____ PCH (price change - up or down? who knows, new code lasts for 10 days? then back to ACT)
____ BOM (back on market; house not sold per previous contract;
new code lasts for 10 days, then back to ACT
Want to make a good deal?? Look for
____ DOM Days on market; either the seller lowering listing price or you can drive for a bargain



When status changes to these codes, then it's either "stand by" or going "bye-bye"
____ AO (active option); agreement has reached; but not finalized
____ PDB (pending backups); seller still accepts offers while agreement is being finalized;
Just in case the original contract falls apart.
____ PND (Pending); agreement is finalize and working out the payment and transfer of ownership
The typical sequence ACT, AO and PND, then SOLD
____ ACT RFR (Right to first refusal); to me- it's same as Pending Backups;
Just in case the original contract falls apart.

When status changes to these codes, no one knows what's going on; it can be either "stand by" or going "bye-bye"
____ WDN - Listing withdrawn
____ CAN - Listing is cancelled (same as WDN)??
____ EXP - Listing has expired;

February 2010 - Hidden costs of owning a house
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It's wonderful to own a newly constructed house, it typically implies fewer items going bad and less maintenance tasks. But, it's a bid shocking that after lived 15 years in a new house, the repairs starts to shows up in the monthly expense log.

My guess on budgeting home maintenance activities runs about $1800 a year, or add $150 on to your monthly mortgage payment and property tax/insurances.

$550 Outside (Roofing, Fencing)

$620 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

$240 Appliances

$330 Inside

=========

$1740 Yearly

Outside: $550/yr

1. $2400 Paint job (15 years)- for a 2400 sq ft house ($160/yr)
2. $6000 Roofing (25 years) - ($240/yr)
3. $1800 Fence Repairs (20 years) - assuming your neighbors will share costs ($90/yr)
4. $60 Sprinkler fixes (1 year) it happens all the time ($60/yr)

Inside (heating cooling, plumbing) $620/yr

1. $6000 Air conditioning, condenser & evaporator (15 years) - it's best to repair them in pairs to maximize the energy efficiency. ($400/yr)
2. $3000 Heater element & blower unit (30 years) - these two goes out about the same time ($100/yr)
3. $600 Water Heater (20 years) - It's expensive to have these installed by the pro ($30/yr)
4. $400 Facet/Toilet Repairs (20 years) - it wears out too ($20/yr)
5. $500 Toilets (25 years) - I don't know why, but it seems we all get tired of using same toilet ($20/yr)
6. $1250 Plumbing drain lines (25 years) - as the house gets older, so as the draining system ($50/yr)

Inside (appliances) $240/yr

1. $1200 Refrigerator (20 years) - Even though some of the problems can be repaired, but the improvement in energy efficiency out weights the repairs ($60/yr)
2. $600 Dishwasher (15 years) - It doesn't matter whether the dishwasher see any action or not, it seems to go out on the clock ($40/yr)
3. $900 Washer & Dryer (15 years) - . The older w/d like Kenmore seems to last a lot longer the newer . ($60/yr)
4. $800 Cooktop/range/oven-Microwave oven (20 years) - replacing switches or fixing control panels are expensive ($40/yr)
5. $300 Range hood (30 years) Once they get old, the performance goes down ($10/yr)
6. $150 Garbage Disposal (15 years) - it's like dishwashers, it goes out on the clock ($10/yr)
7. $400 Water softener (20 years) - it's also expensive to run the equipment ($20/yr)

Inside (non-appliances) $330/yr

1. $3750 Flooring/Carpet (15 years) - the wood floor or other surfaces may be more durable, but they also cost more to replace ($250/yr)
2. $1600 Attic Insulation (20 years) - it seems like the blow-in type of insulation loose it's performance over time ($80/yr)

Blind Dates - What Do Women Want?

by Joe Gokaho 2010.01.04 D1

During the New Year break, I caught a day-time game show - Family Feud. One the questions was quite interesting; FF surveyed 100 women, "What do they hope their blind date have?" I grouped the top 8 responses into 3 basic traits

#3 - 14% is about Physical thing (9 - good looks, 4 good body)

#2 - 25% is about Interaction (17 - personality, 4 manner class, 2 flower)

#1 - 62% is about Wealth (45 - money, 12 - nice car, 2 job)

I recall one of sociologist said this

Women need to project their youth & fertility, because men want to have offspring

Men need to project their wealth, because women want to have stability to raise offspring

It's a bit surprising that this not so scientific survey reflects the same academia finding?

If the guy is physical attractive (clean, dress ok, smell nice), be the gentleman, or "bad boy" and pick up his date in a nice car - Um, he has covered over 50% of the ground already.

One the other hand, if the guy just having money, a clean nice car (no job) - Um, he also covers over 50% of the ground already too.

see my political rumbling

http://www.indgirl.com/index.php/humour/what-women-want-in-a-man/

Inside Story - Airframe Liaison 101

Here is a liaison engineer tip sheet that has been passed around for years.

If you have new suggestions for the newbies, add that to the list.

Do the impossible
1. Remove and replace hole
2. Melt down and re-pour
4. Beat to fit, hammer to shape, paint to match
5. Rework to what blueprint is supposed to be
7. Remove interference and replace with gap
10. Radius out and fair in – do no remove any material.
18. Make it fit
19. Sand blat part until it isn’t
20. Add sufficient paint to obtain blueprint wall thickness

It's Up to You
13. Hit the SOB with a big hammer – maybe it will fit then
16. Apply a good coat of Vaseline and get a good running start
6. I can’t understand the drawing either, make it like you want
8. After you mess up the above disposition, resubmit for scrap
12. Inspect quality into discrepant area

Let's Make It Easy for Both of US
3. Use as was
9. Scrap, I can’t think of anyway to fix it.
11. Resubmit for use as is.
14. You are only 100% out of tolerance, use as is
15. Us as is, Send it to next position and see if they can get it to work
17. Use as is. Production schedule overrides good engineering
21. Use as is – No feasible repair

How Do I Know It's Time to Change Job?

by Gokaho 2009.12.10 D4

Someone offers you a new job, shall you take it? I found these questions seem to be useful.

* Objective, or you shall have a good idea how to answer these questions before taking the job

* Subjective, or you shall have a warm, fuzzy answer from the office visits and interviews

Objective questions:

1. How is the work schedule? Does it fit your lifestyle, or you're comfortable routine? (Give that 10 points)

2. How is the location, and commute? Will you be happy with a lot of boring commute, or willing to put up middle of nowhere live style? (Give that 10 points, or 5 points - if you are young).

3. How much you will be compensated? Once you're compensated for the comfort living, money seems to be less important. Assuming your basic needs are taken care off, the salary plays a small part of your "career package" (Give that 20 points, or 15 points if you are young)

Subjective questions:

1. Can you do the job? Knowing what's going one will make your day go faster, and stress free (Give that 30 points).

2. How is your boss? Can you maintain a good professional relationship? Can he/she be a mentor? (Give that 20 points, or 25 points if you are young)

3. How is your co-worker? Do you feel good to see them? (Give that 10 points)

4. Growth opportunities? The big company tends to offer more growth opportunities than a smaller organization. (Give that 5 points, or 10 points - if you are young)

Let's make a table (now) and (new offer) - and see whether it's a good idea to jump ship.

Example of evaluation sheet:

now new Criteria

=== === ==================

010 005 Location - 10%

010 010 Schedule - 10%

010 015 Pays - 15%

---------------- (sure 35%)

025 025 Perform - 30%

---------------- (not so sure 35%)

015 015 Boss - 20%

005 010 Co-Workers 10%

000 005 Growth - 5%

http://so2pp.blogspot.com/

http://rts2go.blogspot.com/

Up and Up - Costs of Replacing Wiper Blades

15-20 years ago, I was able to find re-fill wiper blades, there are not in the store anymore. I remember many of open packages, and returned items laying around. At the time, there were multiple wiper systems, and vehicles begun to use non-matching pairs blades as vehicles became more aerodynamically shaped with curvy windshields, lead to a lot of "damaged, open goods".

I missed those days. I could have a pair for less than $4.

Couple years ago, the re-fills were off the shelves completely. Then it came the "complete set" - wiper arms with new blades assemblies. The stores had fewer "open items" on the shelves then. It was annoying to have to by pairs of 2 different lengths wiper sets, one for the driver side, and one for the passenger side. Still, for $10-$15, I had both wipers replaced with fairly ease; I quantified the added costs for improvement of installation. Those days are gone too.

I went to couple auto parts stores recently to buy replacement wiper blades, and came out the store without buy it. Ones on display, a single, individually packaged blade ranges from $12 for short 17" to $28 for a long 24" "high-tech" blades. Having the car in the hot Texas sun, the blades pretty much stop working after a year and half. I was wondering whether the $28 "high tech, high dollar" blades will last more than one and half years. The "high tech" wiper blade product information help line - said - "we recommend to have the blades replaced every year". What? That's $55 a year if I want to keep the blades in working condition - it's same amount of money the States charges to have the vehicle registered. What's going on?

The wiper arms are made off metals - they looks pretty good years after years. Only the blades wear out and need to be replaced. Can we go back the ways of doing things? It's getting to be a bit ridiculous now - tossing a way millions of good wiper arms into land fill every years. I am getting a bit tired to sending a lot money on Chinese goods.

Jesus Loving Bumper Stickers and Fish Decals

By Joe Gokaho 2009.11.17 D2

I came across this blog entry http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/2009/08/94-jesus-fish-decals.html. I always want to know the origin, or the purpose of fish and birds that people put on the cars.

Recently at a church parking lot, I came across a family of 5, hopping out of their family mini-van with 5 fish in varies size decals. From the blog post above, there is a Dodge van with many fish (2 big fish, 2 medium fish and 5 small fish), representing a family tree.

Windows 7 and Multiple Physical CPUs

I was ready to give my old computer an upgrade to the new operating system - Windows 7.
I tried Vista 7 - couldn't take it - and continued on with the XP Professional for another 2 years. The buzz is about IT roll out plan for Windows 7; to me, it is a message for me to learn Windows 7.

The special offer, $150, provided 3-user license for upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium. I thought it was a good deal!


I upgraded my Thinkpad T61 (Core2Duo, T7300 2.0GHz) to Windows 7 Premium 64-bit. It works ok, many of the hardware are still hard to find, still having many unresolved "!" "?" on many devices.

The next PC in line is a IBM Intellistation Pro Z. Yes it's old, but the benchmark performance on the Dual Xeon (P4) setup is still pretty good. I was counting on the 5x500gb SATA in RAID to pull ahead. Spent hours and hours trying to figure out why Windows device managers shows 4 CPU while the perfomance monitor shows 2 CPU history. Why?

After googling for many hours, and many of my own testing
Windows 7 Home Premium supports
1 physical CPU with multi-cores.

Windows 7 Home Ultimate & Professional support.
2 physical CPU with multi-cores

More googling from a foreign website, it confirm my greatest disappointment.

# # #
From the BIO setup, I turned off HyperThreads function
Device manager sees 2 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 1 CPU Usage History

From the BIO setup, I enabled HT function
Device managers sees 4 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 2 CPU Usage History

I unplugged one of the CPU, leaving it with just 1 CPU, with HT function enabled
Device manager sees 2 CPU, MSCONFIG & Performance monitor shows 2 CPU Usage History

The biggest bummer of all - it going to cost $200 to upgrade to Ultimate version 7 if I want to see both of XEON processor at work!

There are fewer dual or multiple Processor, MP systems on the market, the trend is toward 1 cpu-multiple cores.

Notes from Fortune Cookies

1. The harder you work, the luckier you get (in bed). * 2009.11.10


2. There's more to balance than not falling over. * 2009.11.10

3. A person is never too old to learn

4. Inspiration within is waiting for you. It's time to go deep

Adding Ethanol to Petrol Fuel Doesn’t Improve Air Quality

by Joe Gokaho/2009.10.31.D6

Key backer of ethanol fuel wants to increase the amount of ethanol into typical petroleum fuel mix. Many of the large cities use “improving air quality”, as the reason for doing so to comply with the federal, EPA, air quality mandate.

It’s tested by many organizations, like MotorWeek, showing the overall fuel efficiency has drop significantly in many vehicles. Even though “per gallon” pollution has reduced as the result of combining petroleum fuel with ethanol, but it takes more “gallon” to get to where you want to go.

I live in a city, where the area is not subjected to the “tougher clean, ozone days”, but we are approaching to the EPA limits. Many of the gas stations dispense fuel without ethanol. The gas stations at the nearby city dispense fuel with 10% ethanol mix. Here is my personal repeated many times over - “1 data point” experiment done on my vehicle (not optimized to run ethanol, no turbo to take advantage of higher compression etc).

Fuel with 10% ethanol = 20.5 mpg
Fuel without ethanol = 22.0 mpg

10% ethanol may have reduced the polluting compound, but it takes 7% more of the blended fuel than conventional fuel. The net results are:

1. More CO2, for the global warming stuff – (according to some scientists)
2. It costs me more money to take me to places
3. It’s doesn’t really make air cleaner, it actually makes it worse because we need to burn more of it.
4. We get burned on both ends, by paying (subsidizing) the ethanol producers, and use it more at the pump.

Let’s save the subsidy toward making ethanol, let farms grow corn where it most suited – for food. (cost vs benefit).

The subsidy can be better used, for encouraging use of “proving” technology that actually burn less fuel. Here are some examples:

1. Manual transmission: It’s improves city driving fuel efficiency.
Consumer Reports test result shows, 2008 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder
18 mpg for 5-speed manual
15 mpg for 5-speed automatic

That’s whopping 20% improvement,
20% less of CO2
20% less of money spent on “possible foreign oil”
14% less of “pollutants” than running E90
2. Making more gears, and more aerodynamic shape vehicle
Consumer Reports test shows, a 8-speed automatic 2009 Lexus LS460 improves fuel consumption (32 mpg) over the 5-speed 2003 LS430 (29 mpg highway) by 10%

Well, going green, consuming less is great and we should. But we need spend money (subsidy) wisely, congressman.

End Subsidy on Ethanol, Add Subsidy for Proven Fuel Saving Technology

by Joe Gokaho/2009.10.31.D6

Key backer of ethanol fuel wants to increase the amount of ethanol into typical petroleum fuel mix. Many of the large cities use “improving air quality”, as the reason for doing so to comply with the federal, EPA, air quality mandate.

It’s tested by many organizations, like MotorWeek, showing the overall fuel efficiency has drop significantly in many vehicles. Even though “per gallon” pollution has reduced as the result of combining petroleum fuel with ethanol, but it takes more “gallon” to get to where you want to go.

I live in a city, where the area is not subjected to the “tougher clean, ozone days”, but we are approaching to the EPA limits. Many of the gas stations dispense fuel without ethanol. The gas stations at the nearby city dispense fuel with 10% ethanol mix. Here is my personal repeated many times over - “1 data point” experiment done on my vehicle (not optimized to run ethanol, no turbo to take advantage of higher compression etc).

Fuel with 10% ethanol = 20.5 mpg
Fuel without ethanol = 22.0 mpg

10% ethanol may have reduced the polluting compound, but it takes 7% more of the blended fuel than conventional fuel. The net results are:

1. More CO2, for the global warming stuff – (according to some scientists)
2. It costs me more money to take me to places
3. It’s doesn’t really make air cleaner, it actually makes it worse because we need to burn more of it.
4. We get burned on both ends, by paying (subsidizing) the ethanol producers, and use it more at the pump.

Let’s save the subsidy toward making ethanol, let farms grow corn where it most suited – for food. (cost vs benefit).

The subsidy can be better used, for encouraging use of “proving” technology that actually burn less fuel. Here are some examples:

1. Manual transmission: It’s improves city driving fuel efficiency.
   Consumer Reports test result shows, 2008 Honda Accord, 4 cylinder
   18 mpg for 5-speed manual
   15 mpg for 5-speed automatic
   
   That’s whopping 20% improvement,
   20% less of CO2
   20% less of money spent on “possible foreign oil”
   14% less of “pollutants” than running E90
2. Making more gears, and more aerodynamic shape vehicle
   Consumer Reports test shows, a 8-speed automatic 2009 Lexus LS460 improves fuel consumption (32 mpg) over the 5-speed 2003 LS430 (29 mpg highway) by 10%

Well, going green, consuming less is great and we should. But we need spend money (subsidy) wisely, congressman.

Car Problems Repairs, Acura, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Subaru

2007 Lexus RX350 FWD 18"  235/55R-18

wear/fuel/handling/braking/comfort
Michelin - Pilot® MXM4®   50,000
  8/ 9/10/ 9 / 9

Michelin - Energy™ MXV4® S8   50,000
 8/10/ 9/ 9/10

Michelin - Pilot® Sport A/S 3  45,000
10/ 9/ 9/ 8/10

Bridgestone - Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (eco)


# # # # #

third update 2013.04

second update: 2012.05

first update:  2012.04

Acura MDX 2002
Lexus RX350 2007
Honda CRV 2011

======

Model: 2011 Honda CR-V SE  FWD
Spec: 4 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 26,000 (on going)

Model: 2002 Acura MDX
Spec: 6 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 180,000 (on going)
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 24k – A/C Compressor (out)
@ 67K – Engine mounts (2 places) – replaced
@ 90K – Window shield wiper arms
@ 102K - Engine transmission
@ 138K - check-engine - EGR Valve (cleaned)
@ 158K - SRS, front driver seat belt buckle sensor
@ 164K -  A/C heater blower blower motor resistor (AC/front blower stopped working)

Model: 2007 Lexas RX350 Fwd
Spec: 6 Cyl 5AT
Miles Driven: 37,000 (on going)
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 6K Tire – low pressure sensors (complaints)
@ 6K Difficulty opening center console storage bin
@ 28K - leaking rack-n-pinion, power steering
@ 33K - rear brake rotors

Historical Models
Model: 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S
Spec: 4 Cyl - 4AT
Miles Driven: 152,000/disposed
@ 128K - Starter
@ 128K - Alternator (un-necessary repair)
@ 146K - headlight (wear and tear)

Model: 1992 Subaru Legacy L
Spec: 4 Cyl - 4AT
Miles Driven: 74,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
(compaints)
@ 30K - sticky ac control panel - no repairs made



Model: 1992 Acura Integra 3dr
Spec: 4 Cyl - 5-speed manual
Miles Driven: 67,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 20K - Engine mount replaced
(complaints)
@ 30K - ABS (on - and off) - no repairs made

[2] # - # - #

Model: 1995 Toyota T-100 DX
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 125,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 90K - shocks absorber repalced
@ 114K - driver side hydraulic brake line replaced

[3] # - # - #

Model: 1996 Nissan Maxima SE
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 104,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ none (complaints)
@ 40k - alignment needs a lot of correction

[4] # - # - #

Model: 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE
Spec: 6 cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 96,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 15k Sunroof water seal replced
@ 85K right CV-joint boots replaced


Model: 2003 Honda CRV Real Time 4WD
Spec: 4 Cyl 4AT
Miles Driven: 105,000
(not caused by bad driving)
Problems, unexpected repairs:
@ 66K – A/C Compressor