Those of you who lived through the 70's energy crisis, please educate me

[bluestateguy]

How did you cope? Those of us under the age of 30 may need a little bit of advice as to how to cope with the Bush Energy Crisis.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. In California we filled our tanks according to the numbers on

our license plates: Odd/even alternating days.

If you had a commercial plate you could get gas anyday.

You waited in long lines and hoped you didn't run out.

[Shadder]

7. Same in Michigan

And we were limited to the amount that we could buy.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Same when I lived in Virginia.

[Oreo]

12. What would they do with personalized plates without numbers?

I guess they'll need to find a new system

[JerseygirlCT]

33. NJ as well. You just had to be careful nt

[Gold Metal Flake]

37. Same in Texas.

We were young. We traded plates if we needed gas. Some folks with fuel tanks and pumps in their pickup beds sold gas if you asked. We also shared rides, drove less. We were gearheads, and our cars were not very efficient.

One tip: Go ahead and buy a locking gas cap now.

[Bleeding Blue]

51. No Gas for You!

I was heading out of town to visit my folks and wanted to fill'er up. Joining a line of 5-6 cars, I noticed this 10-year-old sticking his head into cars and determining if the tank was low enough to get gas. The little "gas nazi" told me my tank wasn't low enough and kicked me out of line.

As soon as I could afford it, I went "sub-compact" and haven't gone back. I watched in horror and these new car-trucks got larger, and larger, and larger....I get 37 MPG, and my next car's going to be a hybred.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

74. That's good to hear

Welcome to DU btw

[Deep13]

2. We conserved.

President Carter was on TV telling us to turn down the thermostat and to stop driving "gas guzzlers". We were encouraged to pool cars, wear sweaters, turn off lights and in general to be aware of how much power things used. For his efforts, Carter was tossed out on his ass.

[grrl62]

8. what about using the A/C?

does using the air conditioning have an effect on the amount of gas that is consumed?

thank you!

[RebelOne]

13. In my opinion, it sure does.

Without a/c, you get much better mileage.

[grrl62]

29. thank you!

:D

[LostinVA]

67. Don't go faster than 55 or so, coast, don't use brakes,

Use AC very little (windows down uses MORE gas than AC), plan route with: flattest driving, fewest stoplights, no jackrabbit starts, keep air in tires -- even put an extra 1-5 psi in. Just a few things.

I can eke out at least 50 mpg with my TDI by doing these things.

[Hugin]

15. The theory is...

to reduce the *total* amount of energy used.

There's a wide web of interactions in energy use...

Gasoline is used to mine the coal used to generate electricity
used for AC.

Reduction at any link in the chain reduces all of the rest.

[grrl62]

30. i appreciate your insight

i will pass this information along!

[Hugin]

36. Good!

Keep in mind there's no need to be miserable.

Be creative!

I'm hoping *somebody* will step up to stop this
horrendous gouging. I'd do it, but, I'm "out of power".

Work smarter... Not harder!

[kick-ass-bob]

38. but don't open the windows instead!

If you are driving over 35 mph (I think that is the speed) you actually get worse mileage having windows open than running the A/C.

[Hugin]

40. Correct!

Modern A/C units are fairly efficient in autos.

When I say "open the windows" I'm talking about at
home.

I remember the first (used) car I bought had a gage
in the instrument panel which showed "economy". It
was endlessly entertaining and frustrating trying to
keep that needle on "Most economical". That's when I
began to *hate* city driving.

[grrl62]

42. just out of curiousity

why is that the case?:shrug:

[Hugin]

43. The open windows cause "drag" which makes the engine work harder.

The A/C compressor causes the engine to work less compared to
an open window.

[kick-ass-bob]

50. Our paper said to remove the roof rack from the top of the car

it lowers gas mileage by up to 5%.
I thought that was shocking that it was so much, for such a little thing!

[Hugin]

58. Either that or if it's non-removable...

(as is the case for my sweetheart's car) shove the front
cross bar as far to the back of the vehicle as possible.

Yeah, I was amazed to see such a difference.

[Imagevision]

56. An occassional shooying-murder in gas lines for cutting in.

Gas in CT. could only be purchased on an odd/even number of your lincense plate. --- Car lines could go for a mile or so and/or wrapped around city blocks, and just when yopu thought you only had 10-15 cars ahead of you? - the station attendant would come out and put an; "end of line " sign in front of you which meant you were screwed until your designated day rolled around again.

it was a,... gas?


http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[Imagevision]

60. An occassional shooting-murder in gas lines for cutting in.

Gas in CT. could only be purchased on an odd/even number of your lincense plate. --- Car lines could go for a mile or so and/or wrapped around city blocks, and just when yopu thought you only had 10-15 cars ahead of you? - the station attendant would come out and put an; "end of line " sign in front of you which meant you were screwed until your designated day rolled around again.

I think Bush will arrange delay of gas deliveries for the generations missing gas-lines if 79's so you won't be so pissed as we go to $5/gallon.


http://downingstreetmemo.com/

[ovidsen]

44. Car a/c's can boost fuel economy.

If you are driving at highway speeds (50mph+ or so) your car will get better mileage with the a/c on and your car windows shut than it will with the a/c off and your car windows open.

It's Aerodynamics 101. A car slices through air a lot more efficently when open windows aren't acting as air-brakes.

Consumer Reports' auto-test department reports that the air conditioner reduces your car's fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. So to achieve maximum fuel efficiency, motorists should avoid using the air conditioner at speeds below 40 mph and travel with their windows down, explains Gabe Shenhar, senior auto test engineer at Consumer Report's auto-test department.

"But as your speed increases to 45 mph, or highway speeds," says Jason Toews, cofounder of GasBuddy.com, "wind drag becomes an issue. Driving with the windows down increases the drag on your vehicle, resulting in decreased fuel economy by up to 10 percent. Drive at speeds over 55 mph with windows down, and you'll decrease fuel economy by up to 20 percent or greater."

http://www.thirdage.com/news/articles/ALT04/05/08/10/ALT04050810-01.html

Of course, if you want the best mileage, drive with the a/c off and the windows shut, but you'll be hotter than blazes.

[Hugin]

45. This reminds me of a trip I took through the desert once...

It was so hot I had to run the heater core in the car to
keep the engine from overheating.

MAN! That was *HOT*!

I was driving fairly slow, so, I was able to keep the windows
open.

I had a sunburn on my left arm.

[ovidsen]

49. Been there, done that!

You know your car cooling system needs work when you're stuck in a freeway traffic jam, watching the engine temperature gauge enter the red zone, and being forced to turn on your heater to cool the thing down.

Ugh!

[LostinVA]

68. Sunroof partly open is better than windows open, but AC

is best over 35 mph or so.

[Deep13]

47. Few people had household a/c then.

At least that was true in the North where I was. The question was what did we do in the 1970s, not what should we do now.

You're welcome.

[Massacure]

61. It depends on the traffic.

There is a point where drag becomes more of a burden than the a/c. If you are going slow, say 25 in a residential neighborhood, use your windows. If you are doing 55-65 on a highway, use your a/c.

[Hugin]

11. Yup... In the light fixtures where I work there are still some stickers...

which say, "Bulbs removed for conservation."

I remember the motto... "Turn it down, Turn it up, Turn it off."

[endarkenment]

24. "For his efforts, Carter was tossed out on his ass"

And Reagan was elected and the politics of feel good 'morning in america' bullshit pandering began, and now 25 years later we are in deep deep shit. New Orleans, buried in mud water and shit, is a metaphor for where 1/4 century of neo-liberal republican idiocy has gotten us.

Wake the fuck up america.

[Hugin]

Now there's a revelation...

Wouldn't it have been nice if the wake-up had happened
earlier?

(It was fitting this was your 666th post.)

[endarkenment]

31. The devil is in the details. :-)

[BlueIris]

54. Good post, and nice handle. Welcome! nt

[kath]

72. Yep, and one of the first things Reagan did was to take the solar panels

off the White House roof.

Then they killed all the R&D projects for alternative energy technologies.
Fuckers.

[mirandaod]

3. In California,

we had a rationing system - according to the number on your car license plate, odd numbers and even numbers lined up to buy gas on alternate days. I can't remember if the number of gallons was limited. I think gas stations were closed on Sundays, if I remember correctly.
I just remember having to spend time lining up on the street to buy gas, and not letting the tank get too empty (previous to this I'd only gas up if I was on fumes).
It would be interesting to see what everyone else remembers.

[raccoon]

35. In SC too,

"a rationing system - according to the number on your car license plate, odd numbers and even numbers lined up to buy gas on alternate days."

[BlueEyedSon]

4. Everybody started buying small japanese cars

[Bluerthanblue]

52. so right- I'll never forget the sight of my 6'7" Dad climbing into

a tiny (and man those first subaru wagons WERE tiny) orange wagon, that got 30+ mpg.- 4speed bare bones-
Odd-even days, many folks going back to wood, which we'd always had, lots of wood-stoves, turn down your thermostat- window quilts, LOCKING gas caps.
Carpooling- some schools even altered schedules to cut down on fuel usage-
In many ways it was a TRUE 'wake up' call- one that went unheeded, and once the Republicans regained power, the greed in us returned- the cars stopped being made efficent. My Dad learned ALOT about how europe used their rescources very efficently- we had a 'on demand' gas fired hot water heater all my life- it was a 'hassle'- in that when someone had a shower, no one could use any water or the shower'ee' would get an ice cold surprise, but our gas usage was minimal- still have one.-
He said we americans could learn ALOT from the europeans, who live alot less 'large' than we.-

Time to finally join the 'real world' this time.- For the sake of the planet.

[Boredtodeath]

5. Look for alternate sources of heat

Things like pellet burning stoves; word burning. Not only is gas (and electricity) going to be prohibitively expensive, it's going to be in short supply. There are likely to be rolling outages.

Try to create one area of your home (a single room, perhaps) that you can heat while closing off unnecessary rooms.

Figure out how to seal off that "great room" because you can't heat it enough with a fireplace. High ceilings and large rooms mean the heat you need rises to the top of the ceiling rather than on the floor where you are.

Keep the furnace low and center family functions to independently heated rooms.

[endarkenment]

25. The forward looking proactive policies of the time

offered good tax incentives to home owners to install alternate energy systems in their homes. None of that now, we are too busy extending the estate tax cuts for the filthy arrogant rich.

[Hugin]

46. It's a shame all of the hot-air from T.V. pundits doesn't transfer.

That'd be an excellent alternative heat source.

;)

[RPM]

57. word burning stove

created by the nazis for destruction of books, popularized by the neo-con fascists...

thanks for the laugh

[intheflow]

6. Although I was just a kid in the 70's, here are a couple strategies.

1) There's usually a few local websites that track lowest the priced gas stations. Here in Denver I can check out my local ABC-TV affiliate's site. They get tips from viewers and check it out before they post the stations.

2) Coordinate all your travel to happen only once a day. That is, stop at the library and the grocery store on your way home from work (for example) instead of making three separate trips.

3) Walk, ride a bike, car pool, or use public transportation to where you need to go, if possible.

Good luck!

[Postman]

10. In 1973, I was 12 years old but remember the long lines for gas...

In 1979 they rationed gas. You were able to purchase gas on even calendar days if your license plate ended in an even number, the opposite for odd numbers.

Small cars came into popularity.

[Alamom]

14. Speed Limit (everywhere) 55mph. n/t

[unblock]

16. gas tanks USED to have a meter that always worked

you used to be able to open up the gas tank cover from the outside as well.

nowadays, you have to put the key in the ignition to tell how much gas you have, and gas fill covers are locked or impossible to open from the outside. the reason for this is that during the gas crisis of the 70s, people would check out parked cars in search of a full tank and siphon out what they wanted.

[Kablooie]

17. I bought a moped.

It took longer to get around but was kind of fun and I had no problem getting gas at all. I'd just putter up to a pump that was unused because a car was using a nearby pump and covered it and put in my 1 gallon. It would last me a week.

[cally]

18. Remember the west coast did have an energy crisis a few years

ago. Most of us turned off our heaters and air conditioners (remember it is California). We switched to energy saving bulbs. Unplugged all appliances when not in use. I was amazed how much you saved by unplugging appliances rather than just turning them off. Made sure all wash was a full load and used washing machines and dishwashers only at non-peak hours. Minimize car trips. Wear clothes more often before washing. Reduce shower time. I'll think of more later.

edited to add: Remember California uses gas to fire the turbines for energy during peak times. I know it's a different mix than in cars but it helps free up resources for other uses. Reducing energy helps conserve gas.

[tjwash]

19. Odd / Even days, long lines at the pumps, Electric bills...

...going crazy on you. There is no actual "advice" you can give to anyone on coping through an energy crisis.

We just did what we had to do.

We didn't drive to work alone, we either carpooled or took the bus, or in my case I rode my bike, because I loved the exercise. You turned the lights off when you were not in the room, and only turned the AC on when the temperature got above 100.

Just little things like that. It's amazing what a huge electric bill does for ones habits.

[On the Road]

20. It's Not as Bad Yet

although it's starting to get there. There was a real feeling of entering new territory and having no idea how high prices would go or whether society would hold together. The first oil crisis also triggered a nasty recession when people were making apocalyptic forecasts of the economy. Inflation was much worse, even while the economy was tanking.

People just coped. Drove less. Tried to buy gas at times when there wouldn't be lines. Bought gas tanks so no one would siphon their tank at night (this happened to a friend in college).

When you think about it, it could be worse. Whenever the IMF forces "market discipline" on a third world country, it's usually more severe -- prices of all kinds of basic products skyrocket. We haven't had price riots yet.

[RebelOne]

21. I really don't remember how I coped, but I know I drove

a lot less. I was fortunate that my job was only 18 miles round trip.

And in order to avoid sitting in the long lines, I parked my car late at night in front of the pumps at the gas station just down the block from me and got there in the morning before they opened up.

[zbdent]

22. Turned 16 in the middle of 1979 - when the hostages were still

held in Iran.

Got really good at riding my bike up and down the hills around my home.

Didn't get a driver's license until I was 19.

Also learned how to pump my own gas.

But it wasn't like the long lines back in the earlier part of the 70s - under Nixon.

Funny how the media is pushing the 1973 or so gas lines on Carter, who didn't take office until 1/20/1977 . . .

[DearAbby]

23. I was a teenager at that time. I remember the long lines and people pushin

people pushing cars in lines at the stations, I remember signs at the pumps of a few. NO GAS. Also remember the reason locking gas caps.....

[mirandaod]

27. Oh, yeah,

I forgot about the dawn of the locking gas cap. None of them locked before then.

[Hugin]

32. I noticed a drift away from locking gas caps over the last couple of years

Guess they'll drift back that way again.

Give it a couple of months.

[Hugin]

26. There are a series of books called, "Foxfire" which examined life in the..

Southern Appalachian Mountains. But, they also included many
useful suggestions and methods of alternative living.

I remember my Dad bought the one on alternative energy.
Wood burning, water wheels... etc.

http://www.foxfire.org/prodFFbooks.html

[SoCalDem]

28. Even-Odd last number on your plate

and never get in a line if you are on "fumes".. You will end up passed by drivers with gas or you will have to push your car..

always try to keep 1/2 a tank, and top it off whenevr you can afford it.:(

Good Luck , young'un :hug:

We also had water rationing by our address number.. We actually had a chart on the fridge so we knew which days we could water and which days we could buy gas.. Sadly for us, both cars ended in "odd"

We also lost a lot of gas..even with locking gas caps..

[Mizmoon]

34. I remember my mother waited on line

She would tell me she'd be home in a couple of hours after she got some gas.

I remember waiting on line myself only once. It was boring.

Carter used to come on TV in his big lumpy sweaters and told us to save fuel and live frugally. Between that and the hostage crisis he seemed like a poverty-stricken incompetent. Then Reagan came along and we forgot all about all that "other stuff" and began to live like there was no tomorrow.

[Blue Diadem]

39. Think ahead about what you need to purchase and stop on the

way home from work or consolidate shopping/grocery trips into one. Car pool if you can, share rides with neighbors if going to the store. Take public transportation if possible.

Make sure your tires are inflated to proper requirement and keep your filters clean. Drive slower, don't do jack rabbit starts.

Home temps can be turned down. Doors can be kept closed to rooms not used(unused bedrooms) and heating ducts can be closed so heat is diverted into rooms used more.

If you live in an older home there are many things you can do to keep heating bills lower by insulating and sealing cracks and tiny openings.

Invest in a few more blankets, a few comfy throws for your main seating area to keep warm and it's not so bad.

[Hugin]

41. My sweetheart *still* plans her trips...

She's done it since the '70s.

Good advice!

[hunter]

48. Crappy bad memories.

I remember one night I was in the San Fernando Valley just before midnight waiting in line to fill my car with gas when a riot almost broke out. I have no idea what it was about, but people started throwing stuff, and one of the windows of the gas station got broken.

It only stopped when the police arrived, and it almost started again when someone (the police or the night manager?) decided to close the station.

Disputes over odd/even rationing were fairly common, since it was mostly enforced by peer pressure. Or maybe I thought it was that way because I was young and hanging out in rough neighborhoods. It also seemed like there were too many people with "C" stickers (which let you buy gas any day) who didn't deserve them.

[BlueIris]

53. Sorry, man. That is a bad deal you describe.

I think we'd be better off/better prepared to meet/deal with shit like that in my city IF FUCKING MORONS AROUND HERE WEREN'T DRIVING AS MUCH. I swear to God, it's like they don't have the first clue.

[Bluerthanblue]

55. DON'T siphon gas with a 'shop vac'- there was a couple

who did that, and died-
Alot of siphoning- best way to do that? put a hose in the tank that goes all the way down (other end in gas-safe jug) then take a short piece of hose and put it in the tank just till you get past the new valve place (about 1 1/2') wrap a rag snugly around the gas filler area, and blow forcefully on the short tube. Once the gas begins flowing into the jerry can, you can take out the 'blow tube' and rag- be sure the receiving container is below the 'giving' one.
Don't know why we had to do so much siphoning (we weren't stealing) but this method worked well, and sucking a mouthful of gas is not good-

[hunter]

59. My brother had an odd car, I had an even car.

Or maybe it was the other way around.

We did quite a bit of siphoning between our cars.

We used those cheap plastic suction pumps we bought at Pep Boys.

There was a big rush on those, and then you couldn't find them anywhere.

[Bluerthanblue]

62. no Pep boys around us then or now- but you're right, there

are alot of those little pumps around dollar stores nowadays-
In a pinch the two hose and rag method really works- just take some lung power sometimes.

[Cleita]

63. I always felt that the 70s energy crisis was staged by the

oil industry so they could raise prices on gas, prices that never went down after that.

The worst part was waiting in line on your designated date, but no one really went without, it was just harder to get and more expensive.

I think this could be very different.

On edit: Hubby and I did invest in locking gas caps to be on the safe side.

[hunter]

73. It was "peak oil" for the U.S.

The oil companies were switching the U.S. over to imported oil, and somebody had to pay for that! :grr:

[bearfan454]

64. Odd and even numbers on the end of the liscense plate

Long lines too.

[Sparkly]

65. For one thing, Jimmy Carter went on TV and TOLD people to conserve!!!

He went on wearing a sweater and told everybody to turn down their thermostats. My parents carpooled, consolidated errands, etc. -- but mostly I remember freeeezing. (In school, we all wore our winter coats indoors.)

The Chimp should address the nation and call for conservation. Keep the SUVs at home if possible, don't idle, share rides, use public trans, whatEVER. In addition, he should call for sacrifice on the part of the wealthy to GIVE UP their damned tax cuts!!!

[Imagevision]

66. especially, learn to drive with stop-lights - avoid stop and go when u can

[SeattleGirl]

69. I posted this info on another thread....

Took the bus, walked, and drove only when necessary. Had a small car that wasn't a gas hog. It was frustrating, but we managed.

[charlie]

70. When inflation kicked in

you spent your paycheck when you got it, because it would be worth markedly less in a couple of weeks.

[RamboLiberal]

71. One thing I remember it was a cold f'ing winter

and I was sitting in the line turning the car off/on as the line moved with a hot chocolate that didn't stay hot for long. Man I was freezing. I remember it was early morning - and I still had to go to work after sitting in line for gas. Not sure if that was during the odd/even days but it was during a gas shortage.

Also back then a lot of the stations were "full service" stations with mechanics. If you didn't have a repair relationship with the station you were screwed. A lot of the station owners ignored the odd/even rule and filled their friends tanks then would be out of gas.
I was one of the ones screwed since I had a new car and had it repaired at the dealer.

And you had to be down to I think a quarter or half tank (can't remember which) or you couldn't get gas.

It was brutal for awhile.

Oh and there were fights in the lines. I hope this isn't where it's headed. Oh well, these days I am armed!