longston,

No need to reorder small pickup tube (two sizes of tube are actually used), as the length is about 4' so 4" removal adds up to a "Lesson learned".

Ernest,

The best method I have found to date for traveling across West Texas is to plan it as a early a.m. trip. Somewhere around 12 to 4 a.m. give you adequate traffic avoidance (and police avoidance ) and also gives the 500E a chance to stretch its legs like it was designed for.

About 5 years ago I managed to make it from San Diego to Austin in about 16 hours! That included a 1.5 hour nap and I even averaged 27 mpg! The car, a 86' Honda Accord. That is roughly 81 mph, AZ and NM and W. TX was 100-110 mph most of the way! That car sure did hum with 145k on the Odometer already. I still haven't decided if this was a stupid act yet, but it sure was Fun.

Anyway, try and go threw the Texas "Hill Country" (Central TX, just west of Austin) if you can, the drive is wonderful, twisties and long sweepers for many miles, you'll enjoy it.