subject: Living In The American West [print this page] The American West is an area of considerable vastness. The terrain is largely arid, mountainous, and rocky. Distances between farms and towns add significant mileage to vehicles and these vehicles mostly operate in extreme weather conditions. Temperatures can vary from 100+ deg. Fahrenheit, to freezing in the course of a few hours. The views can be amazing, from spectacular sunsets to snowcapped peaks, pine forests and enormous grasslands.
The gas prices are requiring westerners to change the vehicles they drive for everyday use. Because of the ruggedness, vehicles that can operate in a variety of conditions and still get good gas mileage are essential. Vehicles like the Subaru Tribeca, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV4 and other small SUV types are becoming much more common for everyday use and commuting. Gasoline savings are playing a large part in causing people to switch to these small utility vehicles, especially since it isn't unusual for a westerner to commute more than 150 miles in a day. With gas prices doubling and tripling what they were a few years ago, combining trips into town for supplies is essential to controlling costs.
Weather can change in a matter of minutes out here. While it isn't common, it can go from 90 degrees F. to snowing in the same day. All Wheel Drive (AWD) and 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles are preferred for daily transportation and a coat is commonly stowed with the vehicle for use in emergency situations precipitated by the sudden changes in weather. Gloves and hats are an important consideration as well. While it doesn't rain often, the storms can be intense, raining more than an inch in a half hour. These brief "gully washers" can trigger flash floods.
Many roads aren't paved and can meander through the back country where cattle range openly and intermingle with deer and elk herds. Winter time sports like downhill and cross country skiing also make demands on the vehicles, again requiring AWD and4WD capabilities in order to reach remote and high altitude locations where these activities occur.
Living in Western America, certainly has its challenges, and the vehicles we drive are a reflection of meeting those challenges. As gasoline prices continue to spiral, the requirements for travel haven't really changed. Improvements in auto technology have created autos that are allowing us to find ways to continue to function in comfort and style, and makes it possible for westerners to meet the demands of western life.
by: Art Gib
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