If you live in the southwest area of the US where dust storms are or you put a lot of miles on, check your filter more often. Some say you can just shake the dust out or blow it out with compressed air but the best way is to replace it. Blowing it out with compressed air can actually introduce holes in the filter and shaking it out you don’t get the stuff embedded into the filter.

This mess is the result of running through a sand storm and giant tumble weed in Arizona. I had cleaned the mess out of the grill but neglected to look at the air filter

We spent one night in a rest area, three nights in my son’s drive way and one night in an AM/PM parking lot (with permission).

Covering over 2,000 miles, the 20k service is due in the next few weeks. Here are the numbers . . .

MPG	Cost
21.6	price not recorded
20.1	$2.30
19.0	$2.10
17.4	$2.40
17.5	$2.40
17.4	$2.40

On the way down, I cruised at 62 mph (gps). Coming back, I was at 70-74 mph and you can certainly see the difference. I can’t do the numbers exactly as I don’t have the first price but even assuming the same cost of $2.40 per gallon, at the best mileage I was moving a mile for $0.11 and at the worst for $0.138. On a 2k trip running slow could save me $56.00 (did I do the math right?). Time wise though running slow takes 32.3 hours versus 27.8 – how much is that 2 hours each way worth?

There was a lot of traffic. Never were there less than 10-15 cars or trucks in sight there and back. There were lots of rest areas (none with dumping facilities except the ones closest to home on the 5. The Walmart in Sierra Vista (Ft. Huachuca) does not allow overnight stays but we found a good place to relax under a shade tree in their lot that was within range of a wireless connection from a near by Burger King.

I also visited Tombstone (don’t) and Bisbee (do) and drove to the top of the Coronado National Memorial. You can get a permit to spend the night on top which would be pretty cool I think.

The new window.

Wednesday I will head to Sportsmobile in Fresno to have the window replaced. Instead of the n0rmal Sprinter glass I am having a CR Lawrence window put in that opens on the bottom. We have that type of window all around so it should be a good match.

I use the trip to Fresno as a mileage check also. Filling at the same station and pump before leaving, and coming back. I will be interested to see if the H44 recall made any difference.

Information on the window is here, http://www.crlaurence.com/ProductPages/F/FW625R_67771.html?Origin=

Oh yeah! Diesel getting closer to regular.

Seeing diesel prices drop closer to regular gets me warm and fuzzy! Wow! Maybe someday they will be below regular gasoline again.

Now I just have to try to stay in the 60-65mpg range to maximize mileage. I should be able to squeeze 20 mpg.

17.1; 16.7; 18.8; 18.8; 17.4; 14.3; 17.0; 15.6; 17.9; 16.5; 17.2; 17.6; 19.5*; 17.8**

The Sprinter is 90% loaded with gear, all water, propane, tools, etc. It now has 5K miles on it. All but two of the fill-ups have been at the same pump and nozzle.

The 19.5 was a 164.2 mile run to Fresno (early morning). The 17.8 was 159.6 miles return on the same course but later (and much hotter) in the day.

I would like to test 55mph later but one thing shows up to me as I know the speeds driven – as soon as you jump into the 70′s for sustained periods, your mileage will suffer. There should be no real surprise there.

After hitting the 19.5 I am confident that 20 point something is possible. Above that, I don’t know.

What really hurts is that diesel has gone up by $3 per gallon since I ordered the Sprinter . . . By the way I paid $5.099 this AM starting, $4.959 in Fresno and $4.979 back here, at the same station where 14 hours before it had been $.12 higher – love it!

Most of the fuel involved comes from the same pump and nozzle. This is with all gear, most food and all water.

17.1; 16.7; 18.8; 18.7; 17.4; 14.3; 16.8; 15.6; 17.9 for an average of 17.03.

Most numbers are a combination of city/California freeway with freeway speeds from 65 to 70 mostly 65. The last 3 were with a Scangauge installed posting MAP and MPG. I only look at the MPG as the MAP numbers seem useless.

The high numbers were 95% freeway miles.

PP. I saw one trying to fit a chair in it which would have gone very handily into an Excursion.

PP. It will take 4 years to make up the $ they extra money they spend making a statement.

PP. I think this is what the robots drove in I, Robot.

PP. Parked in their garage at home is a gas sucking, CO2 spuing SUV that is really the main vehicle for fun, shopping, travel and taking the kids to soccer.

PP. Do they all eat sprouts and tofu and only buy tires from free trade rubber countries?

PP. Mileage? “Oh, I get 88 miles to the gallon. I coast down all hills and freeway off ramps. I start costing 2 blocks before the intersection just in case when I get there the light is red. I took my radio antenna off to reduce drag and I am on a diet so the P will have to work as hard. Oh, yes – I refuse to take my significant other, kids, dog or in-laws anywhere – they effect my mileage.”

PP. Will drive a 6 mpg Class A motorhome with the TOAD being a P and take credit for helping the environment.

P. What do the experts really think?

What is a Prius good for?

*Prius People  (Actually some of my friends are PP and I don’t consider them more annoying than my other friend. :^)

A PPPP Production (peaceful pursuit of Prius people)

70-80 mph, flooring it on passing, etc. 17.4 mpg
60 mph with the cruise control 18.7 mpg

Keeping in mind that last week’s 65 mph was 18.8 mpg it looks like so far, 65 is the sweet spot.

BTW, I always fill at the same station with the same pump about the same time of day. Both above trips fully loaded with 6 SOB (souls on board). Last week I paid $5.10, this week $4.99.

City driving with the longest distance being 40 miles . . . speeds from 25mph to 70mph

• 5/12 17.1 mpg
• 5/22 16.7 mpg

Distance driving, 323 miles at 65 mph on cruise control

• 5/28 18.8 mpg

The engine just turned 2,000 miles. I hope that it will improve in the next 5,000 miles. Next I have to try 55 and see what happens.