I suppose we're all aware of this, on some level, but how many of you actually drive slower to save gasoline?

I get reminded of this all the time, since my car has a computer that keeps telling me what my mileage is since the last fillup. That little display constantly nags me to slow down.

So, how fast do you all drive? And do you remember when the 55 mph speed limit was the law of the land?

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/104752/Slow-Down-a-Lttle-Save-a-Lot-of-Gas

 

I was gonna make some sort of inane comment about having bottled my farts since i was 12 - but actually I drive about 80 mph on dual carriage ways and motorways and 30 mph in towns - My little motor averages 50mpg - or so it tells me !

 

A lot of this is a generalization, it really depends on the design of the vehicle and the power curve of the drive-train to determine the optimum MPG.

A small economy car will get significantly less mileage when running above 60 MPH while a lot of the larger cars were designed to cruise on the highway.

I had a 95 Caddy with all the computer controls and that car got the best mileage at about 70 MPH. I always thought 25 MPG for a 5000 lbs car was pretty good. It did get horrible mileage in the city though.

Another significant factor on mileage especially for smaller cars is the amount of extra weight you are carrying. If you tend to pile all kinds of tools and whatever in the trunk you can be losing 10-15% on your mileage.

 

Another reason I'm considering getting a smartForTwo.

They don't drive well over 65 anyhow so it forces you to drive slower. MPGs drop at around 65 so you're more conscious about getting on the highway anyways.

And to top it all off, they start off at 44MPGs.

It'd be nice to have a car that makes you think before you hop on the highway and start blasting along.

Then again, I never drive above 72. And that's only when traffic is going really fast and I'm afraid of being rear ended by some psycho driving 90 in a 65.

 

I'm guilty as charged! I realize that we SHOULD drive slower, but I confess that I ALWAYS speed! SORRY!!!!!

 

Don't.

People die.

 

I don't know about your local highways but if you are doing the speed limit in Jersey you better be in the slow lane or the shoulder otherwise it is a major hazard for the rest of us.

 

Christ.

Speed limits exist for a reason, not to be ignored.

 

Good link for the economics part of the equation, but doesn't begin to cover the emissions end of it.

With a properly tuned "modern" automobile engine, the less gasoline you burn generally reduces the emissions produced. However, reduced fuel consumption doesn't always result in lower emissions. It is when optimum power is produced, under specific load and RPM conditions, that produce the least emissions. Todays computer controlled engines, transmissions and emission control devises do optimize the best fuel economy and lowest emissions, but only when they are operating properly.

Many of my acquaintances have voiced irritation because the "check engine" light comes on and stays on. They say nothing is wrong, the car runs fine, so it must be a faulty sensor. Most of the technicians at service departments tell them, don't worry about it, you're not hurting the engine. They are totally unaware that the "light" probably indicates improper engine efficiency or emissions production.

Both of our vehicles are maintained and checked regularly, it costs a little more, but we know that they are operating at near optimum.

We also drive alone a whole lot less and consolidate trips to minimize total miles. Our recent GPS purchases have really helped by reducing wasted miles trying to find things and by "stringing" stops in the most efficient manner.

 

Very, I hold in my farts as much as possible.

 

Very gentlemanly(sp?) of you.

 

Sold my car in 1998 and moved always to places with good public transport or close to work.

Hey, it's 10 years now!

 

On the freeway, I tend to drive between 90 and 105 mph.

...I guess I really hate the environment.

 

Just wanted to thank you for your mod support Inky. Damn what a bitch that was to overcome whatever happened. It cost me in time all of yesterday afternoon and 3 hours later last night.

 

Hope you enjoy your jail time when you get caught

 

I would, except that I've never seen a Highway Patrolman on my stretch of the freeway at the times I drive.

 

Dude, that's too fast...

...

 

I admit, I'm kind of an aggressive driver. It's not a good thing and I frequently try to reign in the beast.

 

That's good.

Keep trying.

 

Yes, well... You know how we men are. Can't get ahold of our passions.