Save petrol, save the world (and my wallet)

I have to admit, I am no tree hugger. No petrolhead would say he or she is a greenie. But of course, like everyone I am a tad concerned about the environment. Well, we still have a long way to go so obviously we want to keep the place we live in a nice one don't we?

Anyway, its not just the environment that we are saving, we are also saving ourselves from the hefty petrol bills. Ask anybody who drives, topping up the tank these days feels a little more painful than it used to be.

Although it is unlikely that pump prices are going to hit $3 a litre anywhere soon, the prices have risen so significantly that car ownership suddenly does not look as attractive as the low retail price of a car (compared to couple of years back) seem to suggest.

So how do we enjoy our motoring while going easy on the pocket by saving the petrol and saving the world (to a lesser extent of course). Short of driving a petrol-electric hybrid, one can also save fuel driving their regular petrol car with a few tweaks to their driving style. Here are some tips.

1. Contrary to popular belief, creeping away from traffic lights is not the most economical. You should accelerate briskly and settle at a cruising speed and maintain the revs.

2. Never pump the accelerator as rising and falling revs use up more petrol.

3. Never cruise with your windows down as the drag co-efficient is affected, translating to poor economy.

4. Plan your route! Avoid congestion prone areas, use the expressways for long jaunts.

5. Switch off your air-con 10-15 mins before arriving at your destination.

6. If you drive a manual, look for the optimum power band in each gear and change up accordingly. Changing up too early causes your car to jerk and hip hop all over the place, not to mention uses more revs. Changing up too late, also known as 'dragging', well says it all.

7. In an automatic, you can shift to neutral at traffic lights to cut consumption. However, this will wear your gearbox out quicker, so its at your discretion but if you choose to do so, NEVER coast in neutral.

8. Clear your car of junk. Extra weight = extra fuel used.

I have driven two of the mainstream petrol-electric cars available here; the Honda Civic Hybrid sometime ago, and the Toyota Prius today. These two cars, despite having the same moniker are totally different in terms of technology. Yes, they do boast better fuel economy and enhanced performance but that's where the similarities besides the 'hybrid' tag ends.

Honestly, both cars are pretty good drives, but as I had the privilege of having the Prius over a longer period of time, I was able to assess it more than the Civic Hybrid (only a short test drive) in terms of real-world usage.

On an urban run, I averaged 11km to the litre. This is partly due to some heavy right foot moments and the electric motor being low on power, thus the petrol engine was on most of the time while it recharges. When it was fully charged, I easily attained 14km/l on an urban cycle. Combined cycle (60% highway 40% urban), I was told can easily be 18.

The car itself is rather futuristic in design, spacious (more so than an Altis actually), and when stretched delivers strong performance (although the slipping sensation of the CVT takes some getting used to). Overall, it is just like any regular family car, albeit packed with more gizmos like a touch screen to monitor consumption, energy usage, and integrated stereo and aircon controls, a digital speedo (which the Civic has too), a 'Power' button in place of the regular twisting key start, and a stubby lever to toggle between N, D, R and B. B is for engine braking mode, particularly useful for downslopes where the engine brakes whenever the foot is lifted from the throttle. Park is selected by pushing another button and the parking brake is foot-operated.

The handling is rather neat and feedback from the electronic power steering (EPS) via the smallish steering wheel is average. Personally, I don't really fancy the minor shudder when the petrol engine kicks in but that is really a small issue. Safety is also well covered with all-round disc brakes with ABS and a plethora of airbags (dual front, side and curtain).

The downside? It is expensive. Compared to its main rival, the Civic Hybrid, it costs almost 10 grand more.

But then again, they are totally different technologically and conceptually. The Prius is a full hybrid while the Civic Hybrid uses the electric motor to assist its petrol engine (in Honda-speak: Integrated Motor Assist or IMA) while cutting down on consumption and emissions as well.

I certainly don't mind owning a hybrid as I will be able to get more mileage in between top-ups, but bear in mind that because of the premium in price they command over a regular petrol engined car, it only makes sense in a long term ownership. You have to be driving the car for at least 5 years before you can really feel the savings.

What's most important to me now is to be able to enjoy my motoring without burning a hole in my pocket, and enlarging the existing one in the ozone layer. Stuck in the urban commute or thrash a GTI on open twisty roads? I would go for the latter.

Carpark Terror

This afternoon, something rather significant happened. In my years of driving, I have never touched the kerb before. Never struck the kerb, never mounted the kerb. Not even when I was a learner.

But today, I was in Sim Lim Square negotiating a 90 degree right hand turn, I mounted the centre divider kerb for the first time ever. It was rather embarassing because my colleague was in the car with me at that time, and the car on the opposite direction came to a complete standstill to let me through.

Ok, so I was driving a big Toyota Camry. Ok, so the driving directions were kind of opposite (if you parked at SLS before, you would know what i mean). Ok, so there wasn't any space for me to turn left and turn right ala a hook turn, like when you drive in Melbourne City. But my point is, carparks these days are not keeping up with the trends.

Many carparks are designed and built years ago when a large sedan like the Honda Accord in the 1980s was even smaller than today's Honda Civic. These carparks simply cannot cope with the growing size of modern cars. Don't believe me? Tell you what you should do this weekend; you drive to Clifford Centre/Shaw Towers/Liang Court/SLS and count the number of 'graffiti' on the walls without trying to decorate them yourself.

Following my rant on how the TP system should be overhauled, I believe that carparks should also be upgraded to be in sync with the times. If you have parked at Vivo City before, you would have an idea of what a modern carpark should be sized. It is indeed terrifying trying to park at any of the abovementioned carparks with a large car.

Oh and if you are driving a Kelisa/QQ/Picanto/Getz, this post is not meant for you.

What is important?

In life, many questions are being asked about what is truly important to us. To some, it is money, to others, it is career, or even a plethora of worldly desires. What is clear is that there are certain things that stand on a higher plane than others. It differs from person to person, of course. But I'm certain to everyone, kinship and friendship are of utmost importance.

When I was in the army, I began to grow up. I know it may sound cliche, but this is true. I began to see the importance of kinship, and rue how badly I treated my family when I was a teenage adolescent. Regret may be the right word, but instead of self-apathy, I decided to make amends, albeit discreetly. I am happy to report that all is well now, naturally.

The next importance is friendship. Throughout my youthful years, I have seen friends come and go. But there are those who remain close to me. Let me take this opportunity to thank these people.

Joei, Pauline, Marcus: Hey gang! Poly days would definitely have been different without you guys. Thanks for all the fun and whacky memories. Now we are stepping into yet another phase of life, but things would still be the same wouldn't they?

Zenn: 18 years and counting? Haha.. Well, buddy although we are busy and seldom get to meet up these days, I'm sure we will continue to keep in touch and always support each other right?

Now, let me talk about a group of people who have been particularly close to me in the past 3 years or so. It was in March 2004 that I met these people, and we have been through so much together, literally.

Ah Tan: My airport night shift buddy, hokkien song buddy, spec mess buddy. Manning log point 2 and eating roti prata? That's our life. We were and still are full of nonsense, and conversations run longer than the AHM. I still enjoy staking out at Stressless, lazing on the chairs and talking c*ck. His generosity towards brathers also deserves special mention. Lately, we have discovered the joy of photoshop. Hoo~ bra!

Andy: My bunk mate during ISPC. Yes, we slept together for 2 months in a 2-man bunk. Bringing back dinners for him when he is on COS duty on Sundays, and volunteering to stay behind to drive for C Coy's live firing (no thanks to a certain monkey). Our bratherhood is tougher than stainless steel. We can also talk about practically everything under the sun; people, work, money, economy, politics, you name it. How can I not mention that we are each other's blogging inspiration? Be strong bra, cos YNWA!

Justin: We were supposed to start University together, but somehow did not. Fate however decided that we should became school mates a semester later, and this brather of mine has to be the strongest emotionally, as well as the bravest. I, for one admire his commitment and perserverence. From the firing range to the lecture theatres, our bratherhood still remain as strong as ever. You have my support bra! Go for it!

Wayne: Team Echo. Way to go! As if conquering the jungles of Tekong, Lorong Asrama and SAFTI are not enough, we picked up our fieldpacks and ventured into the wild of Hsinchu County, Taiwan. Showering in sub 10 degree temperatures, sleeping outfield when it was 10 degrees, and sitting atop Hukou Plateau enduring chilling winds of 8 degrees. How about the bends after bends of expletives, tangerine and wild dogs? It all became worthwhile, as our bonding is everlasting. Take care of the EXolution bra!

Brathers, I will never forget the times we had together, both good and not-so-good ones. I might be crazy to say this but I would love to go back to where we bonded, and experience the 'bratherness' all over again. Shame, that we won't be having our ICT together. Our belly-building sessions are still right on schedule however. Thanks brathers! For all the wonderful memories, laughter, expletives, sweat and tears. I hope 2008 will be a wonderful year for all of you, in all aspects of your lives. Things will only get better! Don't run away cos I need you guys in a couple of years' time for an important event! ;)

Then in January 2006, I met someone that would change the rest of my life.

Seated in a corner of the table, few words were exchanged.

What I didn't know was that in the months to come, I would come to realise how important this person is going to be to me.

Thanks hon, for being in my life!

Relax people, I'm not going to type any mushy stuff here. I'll just tell them to her later. Muahaha....

If I missed out anybody, please don't feel offended or left out. In fact, if you are reading this means I regard you highly as a person, and most importantly as my friend. For friends, there will always be space, tucked away in a portion of my heart.

I wish all a wicked 2008. Success in every aspect of your life. Live well, eat healthily, be happy!

Cheers!

Motorsports in the heartlands

As you may have already read in the newspapers, motorsports are coming into the heartlands.

This initiative is to promote motorsports to the locals, to bring greater awareness and act as a teaser to the inaugaral Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, held in September this year.

As you may also have heard that the first formula drift race will be held in Singapore at the Changi airfields. It should be held sometime in March, if I remember correctly...

We also need to bring greater awareness to the locals, that drifting is a sport that requires a high degree of driving technique and skill, not merely jumping into a 'Hachiroku' and do one's best Jay Chou Takumi Fujiwara impersonation.

So as a teaser, may we present to you:

The Fast and The Furious: Sengkang Drift
(Click on picture)

The countdown

Last night, we had a bit of a workout climbing the long, steep and dark flight of steps up Mt Faber to catch the fireworks and countdown to the new year. We didn't drive up, as the roads were closed and we wanted to avoid getting stuck on the downhill one way street. So we left the cars at my block's MSCP and up we went on foot.

Well, it wasn't exactly a countdown of sorts, but I would say that it is somewhat different from watching the fireworks in town. Sure there were crowds, but not the maddening type like what you would find if we were at Fullerton/Marina Sq/Suntec.

Of course, audio and visuals were not exactly the best, but it was interesting as we had a bird's eye view of the fireworks in town, as well as a glimpse of the the fireworks from the Jewel Box.

Ok, the background is a little dark so the magnificent city skyline at night is not visible in the pictures but trust me, it was really an awesome sight. The breeze on top of the hill was cooling too. Ushering in the new year with the brathers and our girls was great. The dinner, and prata supper was good too!

Cheers to a fantastic 2008 ahead brathers!