Pluggers by Rick McKee for June 07, 2020

Yep!

I’ve no argument there; my father does it too (as far as I know, just in his phone’s notepad app).

Still do even though my 9 year newest vehicle has a computer that tracks trip mileage and average fuel economy.

Don’t have to keep track , the mileage just sucks !

Once our cars hit 20 years old I stopped keeping records. They’re both still going strong.

We’ve kept a “Captain’s Log Book” for every vehicle we’ve owned. Gas prices, oil changes, batteries, wiper blades, tires, any trips milage, appts with the repair shop…whatever is related to the vehicle, it all gets recorded. Very handy!!!

I went over-board on the book for my van. I’d have to drive a million miles to fill the pages and I’d be about 175 yo at the time.

I picked up the habit from my grandfather, and I still do it. My wife does not understand it at all.

Best art of the day!

My dad did that and I picked it up from him. Now I only record the maintenance activity date and mileage.

Yup! Dad and both grandfathers kept a record book, and I picked up the useful habit.

On my second trip to Colorado, in 1980, I had a Plymouth Horizon. One of it’s ‘features’ was a very accurate gas gauge, and consistent gas mileage. I picked up a hitchhiker who was also going to Colorado. After driving along I80 for a while, and passing one gas station after another, he glanced at the fuel gauge and remarked about it showing less than a quarter of a tank. I passed it off, and kept driving. He started getting nervous when I went by yet another gas station, and the needle was now in the ‘Empty’ box. I finally pulled off the next ramp, into the gas station, and filled up, 12.7 gallons. When we got back in the car he asked “how big is the gas tank on this little car?” He just about sh!t when I calmly told him 13 gallons. Then I showed him my book, with record of my same trip the previous year. I explained that I knew the mpg the car was getting, where the gas stations were, and that the gas gauge was quite accurate, so I wasn’t worried. After calling me almost every name in the book, he invited me to spend the weekend at his place in Vail. Keeping that little record book had paid off in an unexpected way.

I do the same…it’s also a record of rising and falling gas prices…

Well, I record kilometres per litre.

My dad did until the day he sold his last truck. I did for a long time, too, just because he did. Then I asked myself why and couldn’t find an answer, so I quit. That was about 45 years ago.

This comic strip has my number. You better believe I record and keep track my mileage.

Some of those old pickups need to record gallons per mile.

I wish I had that kind of sticktoititiveness

Lately, I get 3 months to the gallon!

I love the artwork in this, and all of Gary’s pieces. He adds so much detail. Great work that rarely gets credit since we read it every day.

I started logging my gas purchases in the early 1960s. I started with a handful of obsolete army vehicle log sheets. When those ran out, I had to create my own. Looking back at the early ones with the 20-30 cents/gallon prices brings a tear to my eye.

I don’t remember when or why I started, but it was at least 7 cars ago. And the weird thing is, it is the only habit I have NOT broken. I record date, what station, total mileage, mileage between fill ups, total cost, gallons purchased and price. It has been interesting to see the ebb and flow of gas prices. I used to keep one log for each car, but now I just start a new page when I get a “new” car (have only every had used cars except for my very first one is 1980). I also record any maintenance I have done – THAT has come in VERY handy, especially if I am bouncing between Jiffy Lube and an actually auto mechanic. If either one says “you need to have xxx done.” I can look it up and say, yes, or no, I had that done on xx/xx/xx. Or if I want to sell, I can show the potential buyer the maintenance work I have had done. When new tires were bought, last time oil was changed – whether oil was changed regularly, if there was any major work was done (like transmission), or if there was a lot of the SAME work done (like exhaust system), etc.

Haven’t left a record of gas mileage since 1973.

My dad used to do that – and insisted us kids do it too, when we started to drive.

Yup. At every fill-up, I record date, total mileage, trip miles (since last fill-up), gallons, miles per gallon, and cost—along with maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, etc.). I used to keep a little book in the car, but have switched to spreadsheets on my computer. Really helpful to have all this info available when needed.