remind me about fuel economy

pennwalk · Sep 2, 2005

Well I survived the pump shock of 3 dollar gas. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I noticed they raised it again today. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Way back when, I seem to remember that cars were most economical at 55 mph. Can anyone remind me if that is true. I imagine cruise control saves a little too. I thought there might have been a few less cars on the road today. If there is anything to 55 nobody was worried about it. 85 all the way. I guess if you tried it you would get run over. I'm wondering if anyone will be worried if gas gets to $4 or even $5. Maybe we will just keep on trucking. On the positive side diesel is finally less than regular. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Chris

DaveNay · Sep 2, 2005

Somebody on the TV the other day said that keeping your speed down to 60-65 mph translates into roughly $0.15 per gallon savings.

As with everything your hear on the news channels, take this with as big a grain of salt you can fit in your pocket.

Dave

ronjhall · Sep 2, 2005

I tired driving my Mini-Van at 60 mph the other day. Fuel mileage on the digital display was consistently over 30 mpg. It's a little over 26 mpg at 65. But as you stated, on a 70 mph freeway you are taking a chance a truck or large SUV will run you over. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
After that episode, I was afraid to try 55. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

frank_f15 · Sep 2, 2005

If i remember correctly, back in the 70's oil embargo, spped limts were dropped to 55, ( to conserve) and that lasted a no. of years then back they went to 65 (in our state) tru doing 65 on the NYS thruway on a busys day and you get run over.

Golfgar4 · Sep 2, 2005

Frank,

You're correct. And that is also when they implemented the right turn on red policies. I remember the big discussion about that change. The supporters claimed it would save umpteen millions of gallons of fuel each year, and it did. The opponents claimed that more pedestrians would get hit in crosswalks, and they did. I believe I recall that within the first year or two after the right turn on red became legal, there was something like a 40% increase in injuries/fatalities to pedestrians.

What's interesting is that our speeds have gone back up just as you've pointed out, but the percentage of injuries to pedestrians in crosswalks has not reduced. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

pennwalk · Sep 3, 2005

Gas went up another 20 cents here today. I was trying to remember gas saving driving hints. I remember that there were guys who could really milk the miles out of a gallon of gas. Slow starts ,smooth and steady, drive like you have an egg on the accelerator. Now I'm wondering if we might not see $4 gas soon. Getting the max out of a gallon might not just be for laughs soon.

Chris

v8dave · Sep 4, 2005

I have a Honda Civic that in 5 years I only got over 40 mpg once. I used to drive that thing at 85 in most 65 and 70 mph zones. Then I got a speeding ticket and I started driving sanely with my top speed now mostly around 70 mph. Now I regularly get over 40 mpg, not much over 40, but it's the magic number.

I paid $20 to top up the wife's car for a trip Thursday evening. I can remember scrounging $2.00 (two bucks!) from a car load of guys to buy that much gas and crusing the main all night. The cheapest I can remember paying is 27 cents per gallon when I first got my own car.

The Civic is seeing lots of use now. The F250 Diesel will take over $100 to fill up now when it gets empty, it's waiting patiently in my shop.

Tom_H · Sep 4, 2005

In Sacramento's rural edge today regular was $2.999 and diesel $3.369.

Back in 1980, I bought a Volkswagon Rabbit diesel pickup. She got 52 m.p.g. on the highway and over 40 in town. Suffered 3 blown head gaskets and 2 cracked heads along with an electrical system possessed by demons though. Wish I could get a used hybrid for less than a fortune. But then, why would anyone who owns one want to sell it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

JimR · Sep 4, 2005

I think the prices are here to stay for quite some time to come. Driving 55 mph will save you gas mileage as mentioned. It will also cause someone to have road rage and probably run up your b-tt. Is it worth it? NO. My truck sits idle now also. I will not drive it unless it is absolutely necessary. My motorcyle is my main means of transportation now and will be until it gets too cold to ride. At 50 mpg I'm happy when filling up. The oil companies can KMA.

jmc · Sep 4, 2005

It would be ironic that the time we save driving 30 mph faster would be eaten up sitting in gas lines that wouldn't have existed with a little conservation.

Apparently, our law makers want to address this shortage by passing several special energy bills like drilling coast lines presently off limits, including the coast of the artic reserve. Right or wrong, that's not going to help for years. Addressing the demand side by coordinating conservation could start easing the shortage in a few weeks. We all know we waste incredible amounts of energy but individually, we're not inclined to make even small sacrifices if the rest of us continue to squander. Its up to the government to make sure everyone does it. So far, the Bush administration is silent on conservation. Personally, I think they are asking permission from their contributors.

John