Jeep-sized ice

I'm not sure what to make of this headline: "Jeep-sized chunks of ice cause concern." The article in the Fremont Tribune on 2/23/07 talked about the flooding on the Platte River caused by ice jams. People described the ice breaking up and chunks floating down the river the size of jeeps. They didn't say "SUV sized" or name any other particular brand. Jeep-sized. I guess that means Jeeps are a force to be reckoned with!

Headlamp off time delay - yeah!

The time delay for auto headlamps may not seem like a big deal. Sometimes it is a bother. Almost every night I have someone come in to my restaurant to tell me that someone left their lights on. Most of the time when I find the owner, they tell me they will go off shortly by themselves. People get use do the lights shutting off by themselves and don't really think about it. A lot of people don't even realize they have the option. So the time delay may not seem like a feature that is that great.

However, I really like that feature on my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I work the night shift. I get home somewhere between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. depending on the day of the week. When it is cloudy, or the moon is in the small end of the cycle, it can be really dark out when I get home. We have a one-car garage and my wife has claimed that. So I get to park outside in our double wide driveway. With the time delay feature, I can leave the lights on so I can see where I am walking. That is especially nice when there is some ice on the driveway.

The time delay is a nice feature. If you have it on your vehicle, don't forget to use it. And be nice to restaurant managers. Please don't use it in a lighted parking lot. It will save us the time and embarrassment of going around asking people if they left their lights on. Thank you!

Snow - no worries

I'm taking vacation for a few days. My mother-in-law doesn't drive, so she planned to take a "handy-bus" Friday morning to Lincoln where we were to pick her up. Overnight on Thursday, we had about two inches of snow. It was near zero degrees overnight, so the snow wasn't going to melt the next day. Normally that would make me a little nervous. The snow packs down on the streets and highways and makes them slick enough to be a concern. However, now that I have 4-wheel drive on my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I don't get near as nervous about snow. It was an adventure driving the snow packed city streets, and the somewhat snow covered highways. With the added security of anti-lock brakes, it was no problem. The scenery was beautiful with the newly fallen snow. And I enjoyed it much more since I wasn't so concerned about the road conditions. I just wish I had not washed my Jeep the day before. After driving in Lincoln, and later in Omaha, my maroon jeep is almost white from the liquid deicer they applied to the city streets. Oh well, I guess that's what keeps the Car Wash businesses in business.

Gas Mileage Proof

For those of you who are wondering if I really get the gas mileage I say I do with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, here's the proof. After about 200 miles including two trips from Fremont to Omaha, and some city driving in both cities, you can see the Information Center reports 19.5 MPG. Yeah, I can hear your protests. "Those Information Centers are not all that accurate." Being the StatMan, I've been tracking MPG both from actual miles driven vs. gallons purchased as well as what the Information Center reported. Over a period of almost two years, there has been a difference of only .2 (2 tenths). Overall, my calculations based on miles vs. gallons have averaged out at 17.9. My Information Center readings have averaged out at 18.1. So deduct that .2 from 19.5 and I'm still getting over 19 on this tank so far. And this is during cold weather when gas mileage is typically worse than in warm weather. The temperature of the good old Nebraska air was only reaching into the teens. For an SUV, I don't think that is half bad. There, I've proven it!

My Jeep is my assistant

Assistants are great! When I first got my Jeeps, I didn't even notice the Passenger Assist Handles. It was not something I was used to, although in the Stratus I used to have, it would have helped to have them to grab on to for climbing up out of the car. The Stratus sat pretty low. Then I started using the Assist handles in my Liberty and Cherokee. They are located in a handy spot, just about head height on the front door post. Since then, I've noticed I automatically use them when getting in and out. I'm not saying I'm getting old, but they sure work good. Just in case you are wondering, I'm practicing using them before I get old so I'm used to them when I do get old.

January Recap

Here is a recap of my Jeep posts from January.

1. After almost having an accident for the 3rd time at the same intersection, I point out again the value of anti-lock brakes in Anti-lock brakes revisited.

2. Squeaks and rattles can be annoying. But some sounds are good even while being annoying as discussed in That annoying good beep.

3. After visiting with a cousin who also drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee, I did some gas mileage comparison in Gas guzzler, not really.

4. While coming back from a funeral on snowy roads, my 4-wheel drive system gave me Peace of mind.

5. When we bought some meat from a local meat market, I noticed how my Grand Cherokee is much Easier on the back.

6. While carrying the meat through the garage to the basement, the foldaway mirrors sure came in handy. Love those mirrors.

7. Driving around, I notice there are Lots of us Jeep drivers.