Automotive myths are about as common as tumbleweeds on the open prairie. One rolls by and you can be certain there’s another not far behind. We’ve recently tackled a few automotive myths, and we have a couple more! Rolling down the windows hurts fuel efficiency. When the temperatures go up, the windows go down. But there’s the myth that rolling down the windows (or putting down the top) is bad for fuel economy. Is that true? What about running the air conditioner — doesn’t that hurt fuel economy, too? Thankfully, this is a myth that’s been tested by Consumer Reports and Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters.” The results are in: Rolling down your windows does not have any meaningful effect on fuel efficiency. It doesn’t matter the type of car or your speed. That said, running the A/C on full blast on a hot day (85 degrees F or more) can drop your gas mileage by 1–4 miles per gallon. If you run your A/C on a lower setting, it doesn’t make much of a difference in efficiency. So, if you want the windows down, go for it. Any towel will do when cleaning the surface of your car. With dust and pollen in the air, people wash their vehicles more frequently in the spring and summer. And as part of the wash, they often reach for a towel to dab off the excess moisture to avoid spots. But the type of towel you use can make a big difference. Certain types of cloth are more abrasive than others. Then there are those that trap particles right on the surface, which can lead to microabrasions on the paint. The worst type of “towel” to use is an old T-shirt. These can be highly abrasive. Instead, reach for a microfiber terry cloth towel. It will draw away excess moisture and bring particulates with it, helping you avoid scratches. REVVING BACK INTO REALITY 2 More Automotive Myths
The Bet That Spawned the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich Inside the McDonald’s History Books Every day, 68 million people dine under the iconic golden arches of McDonald’s. If you’re one of them, then you’re probably intimately familiar with one of the most famous offerings on the menu after the McRib and the Big Mac: the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich. This bestselling entree looks simple enough. It features a fried square of wild-caught fish nestled under a slice of American cheese and a smear of tartar sauce. But it has a contentious history. In fact, Ray Kroc, the owner of McDonald’s who was immortalized in the 2016 movie “The Founder,” didn’t want the fishy offering on the menu. It ended up there anyway for one of the oldest reasons in the world: Kroc lost a bet. The story starts back in 1962 in Cincinnati, Ohio. That year, an enterprising McDonald's franchisee named Lou Groen had a problem. His customer base was largely Catholic and abstained from eating meat on Fridays (not to mention during Lent!), and they weren’t buying enough burgers to keep his restaurant afloat. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, on Fridays, Groen pulled in just $75 per day. To combat that lack of sales, he masterminded a beef-free option, and the Filet-O-Fish sandwich was born. The problem came when Groen pitched the entree to Ray Kroc. The founder didn't approve. In a 2006 interview with Business Courier, Groen recalled Kroc’s reaction: “You’re always coming up here with a bunch of crap!” he said. “I don’t want my stores stunk up with the smell of fish.” But at the end of the day, Kroc’s motivation was profit. So, the two men made a bet. On Good Friday in 1962, select McDonald’s would put both the Filet-O-Fish and a different meatless option, the pineapple-centric Hula Burger, on their menus. The entree that sold the best would stick around. Since you’ve probably dined on a Filet-O-Fish and never heard of Hula Burger, you can guess what happened. Groen sold 350 Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. And Kroc? Well, he moved just six Hula Burgers. Fishy smell or not, the filet was there to stay. Want to read up on more fast-food capers? Pick up the book “Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom” by Adam Chandler. His KFC stories will blow your mind.
2
WWW.LEGALINSURANCEAGENCY.COM
817.618.6381
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator