Creative ways to reduce oil consumption? (reusable, plastic, buying, cost)
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With the ever increasing price of oil, I'm trying to think of things I can cut back. We already have reasonably decent fuel efficient vehicles and do our best to drive in an efficient way. We have reusable grocery bags so we don't have to use paper or plastic. We use Method laundry and dish detergent (no petroleum). Have pretty much stopped buying plastic bottled anything (soda, water, etc.). We use things like microfiber towels around the house for cleaning, instead of disposable paper towels. Want to increase the amount we compost (we're not very dedicated about this one, so a lot gets tossed in the trash).
Wondering, what other ways can we reduce our energy consumption in general, but more specifically, oil consumption...from all of these products people forget oil is in?
It's pretty funny how they try to add as many products as possible to the list. Instead of just saying "plastic" the break it down into dish drainers, credit cards, etc.
Fan blades? Even metal ones? And what are "Movie film Panties"?
It's pretty funny how they try to add as many products as possible to the list. Instead of just saying "plastic" the break it down into dish drainers, credit cards, etc.
If you read the OP again you'll see some people want have it broken out.
I find it very informative to see the amount of products that have petroleum in them.
I am overjoyed to see that you know all the products that are associated with "plastic".
I wish I was as smart as you, I know I would never had associated darts with petroleum for one..
With the ever increasing price of oil, I'm trying to think of things I can cut back. (snip)
We use things like microfiber towels around the house for cleaning, instead of disposable paper towels.
Those microfibers did not grow on a polyester bush or sheep where they were harvested by nubile maidens in bee-loud glades under deep blue skies in panoramic streamside mountain locations.
Polyester origins are a bit uglier than that idyll ....
Trees are a renewable, harvestable, sustainable source of fiber ....
Interesting thought, I wonder if a car engine could run a quart low without having engine problems? How many quarts of oil could be saved in a year if every car had just one less quart?
Interesting thought, I wonder if a car engine could run a quart low without having engine problems? How many quarts of oil could be saved in a year if every car had just one less quart?
Depends on so many design and operational factors in the engine and the duty cycle to which it is subjected.
In some cars, there probably wouldn't be much of a perceptible difference.
In others, higher engine oil temps might lead to a breakdown of the oil and/or premature engine wear/oil consumption. Or a whole range of engine lubrication or cooling issues.
Oil does more than just lubricate moving parts. It's a sealant, coolant, detergent for cleaning, and an anti-corrosion coating. I don't believe that the volume of oil spec'd for most engines was a trivial design consideration.
I do see the possibility of saving oil use by more folk observing extended oil change intervals where it is appropriate to do so without causing shorter engine life.
Interesting thought, I wonder if a car engine could run a quart low without having engine problems? How many quarts of oil could be saved in a year if every car had just one less quart?
Why don't you try it for a couple of years and report back to us how the well the engine is still running?
Balance the cost of maybe 4 quarts of oil against the cost of a new engine.
You want the best performance and reliability from your engine stick with the OEM fluid levels.
You could probably get away with using less oil in the engine if you never drive over 20 - 25 MPH.
Last edited by plwhit; 02-23-2012 at 08:35 AM..
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