Computer geek, actually learning a thing or two about cars...

[DracoFelis]

I guess I should do a brief intro (since I've already done some other posts). I'm actually a computer professional (to pay the bills), as well as someone who already has (on some other forums) a reputation as a sort of "expert" on VOIP (i.e. internet based "phone" service).

I recently joined this forum, because I have already been trying to see what I can do to keep the (long term) costs of our family commutes down to a dull roar (and by long term costs, I include spending proper money on maintenance, to cut down on even most costly breakdowns later). After all, between the cost of gas, and the fact that we live away from the main city (i.e. a moderately long commute to/from work, and the timing is such that the two of us can't usually "share the ride"), we naturally spend more than we would like for gas each month (even with the two Hondas in the family). While I have heard various suggestions for improving a car, there is still a lot of "snake oil" out there, and it's actually a royal pain to sort the good advice from the bad.

Which is why I spent a few weeks online (and also talking to a mechanic I know) to start learning the basics of the "technology" that is car work. The way I look at it, is that if I "want a clue" about the real trade-offs in some technical area, I need to learn at least the basics of that tech. So even though I'm still "a computer geek", I think I now "know enough to be dangerous" when it comes to cars...

And as part of my online searching, I found this web site. The thing I like about this site, is that you seem to take a pragmatic approach to FE (both simple car mods, and driving techniques). OTOH I've found many sites that talk about "hot rodding" cars, but why would I want even more power (at the expense of FE, and possibly also car longevity) out of cars that already have a lot of "pick up and go" on the road?!? After all, I'm married, and really don't need my car to try to "prove my manhood", nor am I interested in racing on the track. And I've also found a few sites dedicated to hybrid cars, that seem to have a pretty snobbish attitude about anyone driving a "normal" car (much less a 15 year old "normal" car). Which is why I think this site is so nice, because it takes a pragmatic "middle of the road" approach to these matters.

And who knows? With luck (and some of the tips I'm learning here) I might even get better MPG than I'm already getting (and my efforts to date, have already kept my CRX's MPG noticeably above 40 the whole summer)...