Day: February 10, 2026

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Why bad fuel economy actually in someways is an asset in my mind for the Godzilla truck ⛽

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I am not fan of diet foods, light beer or filtered cigarettes.

In many ways I am not sure if the Godzilla truck will get worse gas mileage then my lifted Silverado – at least on the highway. The lift kit and big tires was a pretty big drag on the old truck, though it was a bit hard to get an accurate MPG reading on the screen because the 35 inch tires through off the odometer. But that’s beyond the point.

Gas mileage is great in a commuter vehicle where you are forced to drive every day, but for a truck I plan to drive primarily recreational, it’s not that important. A more expensive to drive vehicle is an incentive to drive it less. Much of the negative impacts of motoring is not the fuel consumed, but mileage driven. Fuel consumed doesn’t induce new highway construction or suburban sprawl. I want the truck to enjoy it and get to places in wilderness in comfort, not save a few bucks in fuel recreationally.

OSI Lands and Catskills

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Looking down into Preston Hollow. It's good that they are dedicating these lands to Rennselearville State Forest, I hope they keep them from getting too wooded to block the view. 

Sunday February 20, 2022 — Rensselearville State Forest

Not a lot of Agriculture in the Adirondack Park

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As you can see from this map, most agriculture exists outside of the Adirondacks or on the very fringes of the park along Lake Champlain. The exception is Chimney Point - Port Henry - Ticonderoga, the area along the Bouque River near Lewis and Reber then a few farms around Lake Placid - Saranac Lake - Lake Clear. But it's only a few percent of the full park.

Farms in North Country

Parking Brakes and Red Lights 🚦

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I have always used my parking brake at stoplights. I figure it’s good to exercise the parking brake to keep the cable from binding up, especially on automatics.

Apparently using a parking brake at stoplights is uncommon in America though widely practiced in Europe, but I was reading on the new cars with automatic parking brakes you can hit the gas peddle to release the parking brake, and can this help starting up steep hills if your car doesn’t have hill start assist.

As Google AI says …

Using the parking brake (handbrake) at traffic lights is generally not required by law, but it is considered best practice for safety, especially on hills, when stopped for more than 8-10 seconds, or to prevent rolling. It secures the vehicle, prevents rear-end collision damage, and reduces leg fatigue in manual cars. 

Reasons to Use the Parking Brake at Traffic Lights:

  • Safety on Hills: It prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when moving off on a steep incline.
  • Preventing Rear-End Collisions: If hit from behind, a secured handbrake helps prevent your car from being pushed forward into traffic or pedestrians.
  • Resting Legs/Manual Transmission: It allows you to take your foot off the brake and clutch, relieving fatigue during long waits.
  • Avoiding Dazzling Drivers: It prevents you from keeping your foot on the brake pedal, which can blind the driver behind you with bright brake lights. 

When You Should Use It:

  • On steep hills: Mandatory for safe, controlled, no-roll starts.
  • Long traffic light stops: If you know the light takes a long time.
  • Busy, close-traffic scenarios: To prevent accidental rolling. 

When It Is Unnecessary:

  • Short stops on flat roads: Holding the foot brake is generally sufficient.
  • Automatic cars: While safe, it is not mandatory to stop the car from rolling unless on a significant hill. 

Using the handbrake every single time can sometimes cause distraction, so the key is to use it when it enhances safety, such as on hills or long, busy stops.