So check out this little gizmo I found for keeping track of your gas mileage. GasDandy
is an easy-to-use tool that tracks your vehicle's mileage and vital
statistics, providing data that can be used for both business and
personal purposes, including tax deductions!* This simple program
calculates mile-per-gallon averages and even reminds drivers when
maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotations are due, ensuring
that tune-ups and car care, which can prolong the life of a vehicle,
are taken care of on time.
You know how the dealerships always
say "Well, you can get 398 miles to the gallon with this baby! That's
the factory number!" Yeah, so it MUST be correct, right? Hmm, not so
much. So for example, I bought my 2005 RSX back in '04 and the sticker
said 26 street/32 highway. Not too shabby! Especially for a racy little
sports car! A few years later (and every scheduled maintenance
performed thankyouverymuch), and I wanted to know where I was really at
with that.
So I downloaded the program from their web site (it took only a few seconds to install on my PC), plugged in my numbers (you need to know how much you spent, how
many gallons you filled, and your before and after odometer readings),
and voila! I get an average of 27.52 miles per gallon... and that was
with at least half of the driving on the highway. Hmmm, not so much
what the sticker said is it?
Well,
I still love my car tons, because heck, it's not Her fault. It's more
likely mine because I tend to "cruise" at 80 mph when on the freeway
whenever possible. I guess I have to rethink my argument to my husband
that "I totally get better gas mileage the faster I go."
So here is some more info on GasDandy for you:
As
a vehicle's information is entered into the program, GasDandy generates
a MPG graph, helping users to visually understand their driving
characteristics and quickly identify changes and trends that may occur
over time in their vehicle's performance. It also provides a convenient
"notes" section that helps users save information, such as changes to
spark plugs, air filters, wipers, and records of repairs, that is
recorded for future reference.
All user data can be printed
out in uncomplicated and accessible reports, offering a handy,
trouble-free way to keep tabs on your vehicle's performance and to
streamline the calculation of business vehicle expenses. And since no
internet connection is required, GasDandy can be used at home, at the
office, or on the road.
There is a one-time purchase fee of
$14.95 to upgrade to the full version of GasDandy, which can make
unlimited entries and record user data for up to three vehicles at a
time. You can even personalize your own edition of GasDandy by using
the preferences settings to add your own
customized background art and vehicle photos.
Good thing, because my only complaint was that the lackluster design was a bit boring. LOVE the little gas dude though! So cute!
Ask Patty approves it!
Breanne Boyle
eMarketing Manager
Ask Patty
*Make sure you check with your accountant when it comes to deductions, just to be sure.