Comments on: Gas prices are up http://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/07/11/gas-prices-are-up/ Finance is not rocket science, unless it is government finance. Sat, 05 Jun 2010 22:48:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: rocketchttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/07/11/gas-prices-are-up/#comment-4824 rocketc Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:05:07 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=404#comment-4824 Yes, I have thought of many potential problems with my test. . . also the trip from Denver is mostly downhill. . . I did mid-grade all the way out and will try to do regular all the way back. The results of my test will hardly be scientific, but hopefully I'll get a post out of it. or, I could say that the results of my test will be as scientific as the IPCC report. . . just kidding! :) Yes, I have thought of many potential problems with my test. . . also the trip from Denver is mostly downhill. . . I did mid-grade all the way out and will try to do regular all the way back. The results of my test will hardly be scientific, but hopefully I’ll get a post out of it.

or, I could say that the results of my test will be as scientific as the IPCC report. . . just kidding! :)

]]> By: Deamiterhttp://www.rocketfinance.net/2008/07/11/gas-prices-are-up/#comment-4781 Deamiter Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:52:31 +0000 http://www.rocketfinance.net/?p=404#comment-4781 Hey have fun! I should point out a couple points about your regular vs. mid-grade test. First of all, you might want to do regular vs. premium as the effect should be small to non-existent as far as I've heard. Anyway, I'd suggest going one way on regular and one way on a higher grade to avoid dilution (I assume you already thought of this). The problem with that is that you're likely to hit more headwind going one way than the other -- a little headwind will have a MUCH stronger effect on MPG than any engine effects at 70 mph -- especially in a minivan. Also consider the change in elevation going in either direction, it won't have a huge effect in the midwest, but it could be enough to wash out any mpg difference. Finally, perhaps you should try to get gas of only one brand -- I've heard a lot about differences in brands of gas and while I've never seen any evidence for it, again, small differences in composition could easily wash out any effects from the type of gas. Again, have a great trip and forgive this scientist for obsessing over details! Hey have fun!

I should point out a couple points about your regular vs. mid-grade test. First of all, you might want to do regular vs. premium as the effect should be small to non-existent as far as I’ve heard.

Anyway, I’d suggest going one way on regular and one way on a higher grade to avoid dilution (I assume you already thought of this). The problem with that is that you’re likely to hit more headwind going one way than the other — a little headwind will have a MUCH stronger effect on MPG than any engine effects at 70 mph — especially in a minivan. Also consider the change in elevation going in either direction, it won’t have a huge effect in the midwest, but it could be enough to wash out any mpg difference.

Finally, perhaps you should try to get gas of only one brand — I’ve heard a lot about differences in brands of gas and while I’ve never seen any evidence for it, again, small differences in composition could easily wash out any effects from the type of gas.

Again, have a great trip and forgive this scientist for obsessing over details!

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