Slow Down and Save...Gasoline
When I was in high school during the Arab oil crisis of 1973, there was a lot of talk in our civics class about how driving slower was one way to use less gasoline. The next year, the Nixon administration put a national 55-mile-per-hour speed-limit policy in place, and it is credited in part for the decline in gasoline consumption that decade. However, years passed, oil prices fell, the speed limit policy was eased in the late 1980s, and any tie to federal highway funds was completely repealed as one of the first acts of Newt Gingrich's Republican Congress in 1995. Today, I doubt that many drivers think about the connection between speed and gas consumption.
So I was surprised to read in the Congressional Budget Office's recent study on the impact of high gasoline prices the conclusion that pain at the gas pump was causing many motorists to drive more slowly. The researchers looked at uncongested (weekend) freeways in California, where numerous automatic data collection devices have recorded large quantities of traffic data from many locations over long periods. After doing statistical tests to rule out whether the effects were due to seasonal or other factors, the researchers concluded that many drivers did seem to be easing off on the gas pedal. Perhaps a minority of drivers were having an impact, slowing the drivers around them—ever so slightly.
Essentially, the results translated to a 10 percent increase in the price of gasoline causing the median speed to decline by about 0.5 percent. (The slowdown was more pronounced for the slowest drivers on the road and nonexistent for the fastest drivers on the road.) That's saving a little gasoline—less than one-twentieth of a gallon per 100 miles or, as the CBO researchers put it, a teaspoon of gas every 2.6 miles.
But could we do better? The CBO researchers cite a study conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory showing that slowing from 70 mph to 65 mph—a 7.1 percent reduction—would cut a typical vehicle's fuel consumption by 8.2 percent. At $3 per gallon, the fuel savings would be worth 9 cents every 10 miles. Travel time would increase by about 4 seconds per mile.
I wonder if drivers think it would be worth it. From a policy standpoint, achieving an 8.2 percent reduction in highway gas consumption without doing a thing to improve cars seems pretty compelling. It's an idea on which politicians have been deafeningly silent. But maybe short of a mandate, there's a way of getting the word out that slowing down makes more sense now than ever. Bully pulpit, anyone?
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Reader Comments
support troops
What better way to support our troops than to use less gasoline. Slow down, use less gas, and perhaps our sons and daughters will not be sacrificed for our need for speed.
More Paine Needed To Make The Point
IMHO the price of gas will have to be $5/gal before people will slow down and drive less.
I still see people driving at least 10MPH over the speed limit so that tells me we still need a mind-set change.
I have yet to see where dining out has slowed down much, malls are still packed which mean the reality of higher gas prices have yet to take it effect.
Price of gas
Welcome to our world in paying high gas prices, Europe & the rest of the world (Canada included) having been paying high prices while the
Americans have enjoyed lower prices. Wake up folks! Your turn to face reality on the cost of living in an automotive world. You should be screaming at your government to get off their butts and make car makers change their ways by producting fuel friendly autos. Because
prices will never be under $3.00 gallon again!! For such an advance society you Americans really slow.........
Speed and Gasoline
As a former pilot and flight instructor, I have known for years that incremental increases in speed cause a greater incremental increase in fuel burn. Airplane drivers must be aware of fuel burn rates; if they run out of fuel while in the air, they cannot not pull over to the side of the road and call AAA.
Unfortunately, most Americans don't understand the correlation between higher speeds and fuel burn. Hopefully, in time, they will get the message if they see enough columns like this.
Paul of CO is right about reducing speed to support our troops. If we were not addicted to oil, which is acerbated by our tendency to drive at high speeds, the troops would not need to be in Iraq.
Gas and speed
this is not alwy the case, it depends on how your car is set up. I have gone from Meadville to Pittsburgh about 50 times this year using cruise control at different speed each time and used the cars built in gas milage calulator to see what speed is the most efficiant. I can say that it was very consistant that 73 MPH was the speed I got the best miles per gallon every time. So at least for a '05 ford tarus slowing down would actually decrease the miles per gallon, and raise the amount of gas used. Now when it comes to my truck (a 2000 ford ranger) its best fuel mileage is at 57 MPH. This is all depended on what speed your cars transmission is optimized at which wil be different for every car. So it is NOT a matter of slowing down, but finding your most efficiant speed of travel.
Gas and speed
I would suggest that the test taken with the 05 Taures be redone by filling up before the trip and then again at the end of the trip and measuring number of gallons and if desired, average MPG. It is hard to believe that the computer is accurate, or the sensors that feed it are properly configured based on the data supplied.
If the statement about transmission optimization is accurate, then manufactures should optimize at the average speed limits for highway not at an unsafe speed that puts others at risk.
Gas vs Speed
There sure is a lot of bull crap lying around, according to the numerous and varied comments. "Opinion" is mere bigotry unless supported by that old-fashioned notion of "facts, just the facts."
slow down?
Recently in ariz.I got ticketed for doing 55 on a 2 lane roadway with a posted 60 mph limit.I guess some irite suv dude who wanted to do 75 reported me for impeding traffic flow.There is no hope for us with such mind sets setting the agenda.Bring on $10 a gallon.
gas consumption/speed.
I was a young man in the '40 during WW11, we had gas rationing, was a pain in the butt, but it worked to save gas. And any one that says that driving at 55 don't save gas is damn liar. But putting all the BS aside, slowing down does the most to save lifes. And who are these important slops that think they have to drive 75 plus, so it takes an hour longer to get to work, just get off your ass and leave a little bit early. All you jerks that drive at high speeds should see what a body looks like when it has been a high speed wreck, torn in half or broken bones sticking out through the skin, screaming in pain, not a pretty sight. I have witness these wrecks.
I wonder a bit...
It cost me to go to work.
It cost me to send my son after school to be able to go to work.
It is costing me more for me and my wife to go to work at the same time.
It is costing me more on eating half what I used to eat two years ago.
I wonder what would happend if 25 millions of Americans just stop going to work?
Roadspeed and fuel savings
There is no legit reason for civilian cars/trucks to have speedos with
top of 180-220 MPH. There is no lawful place to drive over 75. Pro-
gram all new cars to cut off fuel and ignition if vehicle exceeds 80 MPH
for 90 seconds--must 'cool down' engine to outdoor temp before re-
starting is allowed...Make 100 Km/H [62.1 Mph] the new speedlimit
for all 'limited access highways [less for urban Interstates, other sub-
urban roads]. 100 Km/H guarantees 'a mile a minute' which is fast
enuf! We shud go back to supplying cars with 'region-friendly' gear
ratios and final drives--like we did in the 30s and 40s...ALL gas burn-
ers shud be 'E-85-ready' when purchased and retrofit kits shud be
available for existing cars/light trucks...
driving habits
we are stupid at driving, when i go to work people drive so fast and i go the speed limit and they tail me and rush just to get to the stoplight and then they accelerate again and when it is all said and done i get to work the same time they do even though i have gone slow and accelerate slow and coast to the stops. i think we waste so much gas and the people are so stupid they dont even realize that going that fast doesnt get them anywhere faster in traffic.
Gas Prices
It's just money!
Consideration for other drivers
I heard about the impact of slower speed on gas consumption a few years back, we owned a SUV then and we still do now. Only difference is that now I have to drive a lot farther to and from work. I normally drive during rush hour traffic. The traffic pattern in downtown DC is normally bumper to bumper, stop and go. On roads where the traffic can pick up speed, it seems the slower cars do mess up the traffic patter around them.
I wish more people would slow down to make a slower speed the norm while driving. My only thought is that everyone is in a rush either to get the time wasted in traffic back, or the kids have a really important after school activity. I slow down when feasible, otherwise I try to keep with the flow, but I find myself staring at my gas gauge slowly drop.
Less fuel, less polution, less congestion
While it is true vehicles generally burn more fuel at higher speeds, a much greater fuel savings can be realized driving in town. All vehicles get their worst fuel "mileage" sitting at traffic signals. The least efficiency of the internal combustion engine occurs as it gets the vehicle moving again from a dead stop.
By removing traffic signals, and designing maintenance-free
ROUNDABOUTS (traffic circles), and more efficient intersections(no stop signs), communities across the United States could save citizens millions of dollars annually by decreasing fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance. If I were an oil company CEO, I would be paying towns and cities to install traffic signals, on the premise of increased safety.
According to a 2005 Colorado DOT study, signalization does NOT make intersections safer all the time.
Regarding "E-85" engines, if congress really wanted to improve living conditions for everyone, there would be a mandate for the use of HYDROGEN fuel in all vehicles. While using domestic produced hydrogen as fuel produces only trace pollutants, promoting or attempting to convert engines for E-85 fuel would only result in a trace pollutant reduction; and you are still buying/consuming foreign oil.
Another side effect of using ethanol; you are helping to drive up the cost of corn, as a food product.
Less fuel, less polution, less congestion
While it is true vehicles generally burn more fuel at higher speeds, a much greater fuel savings can be realized driving in town. All vehicles get their worst fuel "mileage" sitting at traffic signals. The least efficiency of the internal combustion engine occurs as it gets the vehicle moving again from a dead stop.
By removing traffic signals, and designing maintenance-free
ROUNDABOUTS (traffic circles), and more efficient intersections(no stop signs), communities across the United States could save citizens millions of dollars annually by decreasing fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance. If I were an oil company CEO, I would be paying towns and cities to install traffic signals, on the premise of increased safety.
According to a 2005 Colorado DOT study, signalization does NOT make intersections safer all the time.
Regarding "E-85" engines, if congress really wanted to improve living conditions for everyone, there would be a mandate for the use of HYDROGEN fuel in all vehicles. While using domestic produced hydrogen as fuel produces only trace pollutants, promoting or attempting to convert engines for E-85 fuel would only result in a trace pollutant reduction; and you are still buying/consuming foreign oil.
Another side effect of using ethanol; you are helping to drive up the cost of corn, as a food product.
Support our troops
We are not sending our troops to war in Iraq so we can have can pay less at the pump, otherwise we would be paying less right now, since the war is such a success. It is a success? Right?
And SUV's sould go the way the oversized station wagons of the last century went.... to the scrap yards. Junior does not need to ride to soccer practice in a tank.
Support our troops
We are not sending our troops to war in Iraq so we can have can pay less at the pump, otherwise we would be paying less right now, since the war is such a success. It is a success? Right?
And SUV's sould go the way the oversized station wagons of the last century went.... to the scrap yards. Junior does not need to ride to soccer practice in a tank.
Speed Vs. Consumption
I agree with Jay, it does depend, at least a little, on your car and how it wants to run. My 1990 Integra gets an average of 7mpg more using 93 octane vs 87. Also, the ideal speed where it gets the best mileage is above 65, but no higher then 75, so we'll call it 70. And for the nay sayers, yes this was determined through actual mileage and gallons at a fill up. She averages just over 400 miles on 12 gallons of gas (when thel light comes on). Oh, and it is a stick, most cars today are automatics and will get around 5-10% less efficiency then manuals.
I do agree that for the most part people like to drive too fast. There's nothing wrong with driving the speed limit, or even under the speed limit, but don't get all righteous and take it upon yourself to slow everyone down by going 60mph in the left lane of a 65mph road. (yes, spoken like a true mass driver I know).
Hydrogen
Also, if anyone knows of a cheap, easy way to get hydrogen for a fuel source, you would be ridiculously rich amazinly fast.
Speed and gear ratios
I now use the tachometer more than the speedometer. I get 40-45 mpg on the highway at 2500 rpm in my 2002 Corolla, and I maintain speeds in the 63-65 mph range.
I also began calculating my gas consumption by "miles per dollar." This sobering fact slowed me down.
I wish I had a sixth or seventh gear (like a double-overdrive) to let me keep lower rpm when driving the limit.
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
The bulk of hydrogen production now is refined from natural gas which is not ideal. The most environmentally friendly process is by electrolysis from water. The electrical power necessary can easily be provided from a solar cell grid for free-standing hydrogen generation stations. Actually, this part of the "hydrogen solution" is old technology. Probably 75% of vehicles on the road today could use hydrogen as the only fuel with modifications to the carburetor or fuel injection system. Filling and storing hydrogen in heavy cannisters is where the fine tuning is needed. Sweden is well along the road of perfecting the switch to hydrogen.
The payoff for this research is fantastic: almost complete removal of harmful emissions/toxic gas, therefore cleaner air for everyone.
Supressed Gas Mileage Technology
Ever heard rumers of 50 or 100MPG Carbarators of the past, I have found evidence that they did exist, The oil companys and Goverments of the world have kept this Supressed, a Canadian inventor Charles Nelson Pogue in the 1930s had 3 patents on Vapor Carburetors USP#1750354,USP#1997497,USP#2026798 also up to about WWII, Holly Carburetor MFG. made a Catalytic Carburetor for gas farm Tractors using the heat of the Engine exhaust to heat up the Kerosene to make it Vaporize to run gas farm tractors more cheaply for the farmers than gasoline, this Catalytic Carburetor was also used in WWII on some of our Tanks in the battle agains Rommmel in North Africa, Thats how these vapor systems worked using the heat of the engine Exhaust to heat up and make gasoline vaporize sometimes 100% and the pollution output would be about 0%, I have talked to several old farmers who had one of these old Gasoline tractors, start it on Gasoline after it heated up you would switch it to Kerosene, Kerosene use to be a fraction of the cost of Gasoline, Not one of those old Farmers knew that was a special Vapor system, also I have found this same system on a 1915 stationary engine I seen it myself, I have also found and seen Two old cars made in the 1920s with vapor enhancement systems. BIG BROTHER does keep things supressed
Improved MPG
If your car has cruise control, use it. ECU is better than your foot is. Get used to using is to speed up and slow down. Corners feel a little different, but practice makes perfect.
STOP TAILGATING. This leads to excessive braking and accelerating, not to mention causes traffic problems.
Time your coasting instead of braking. This saves wear on your brakes and gas in your tank. If you have a manual transmission, place car in neutral and coast to slow down. It takes some practice but works.
Carpool as much as possible.
Walk, Bike, and ride the bus if you can
I like to ride my bicycle
I ride my bike to work when the weather permits it. It is about 6 miles each way. I save money on gas and get a good workout too.
On the MPG subject I also believe that my vehicle, a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville, gets the best gas mileage at around 70-75mph. This car is still under 2500 RPMs until about 80 MPH. Lucky for me the speed limit is still 70 in Michigan.
Please stay in the right lane if you want to drive 55!
Air turbulence
The truth is that the best fuel efficiency is achieved at a low speed since at high speeds the air flow gets turbulent. You should have noticed that when driving at 55 mph you have to accelerate maybe for 5 seconds of every minute, while if you drive at 75 mph you have to keep accelerating most of the time. By the way, the guy who mentioned airplanes is completely right, and it is easier to see since airplanes have a fuel flow gauge (which cars should also have). And another thing: keep you windows closed
Move Over
If you're going to slow down to save a couple cents...MOVE OVER and get out of the way for the rest of us...PLEASE
More than the speed limit
I too remember the 73 oil embargo. I remember the Government providing many tips to save gas like slow starts at green lights, as well as all forms of energy. Do you remember the stickers reminding us to turn off the lights?
I wonder why there isn't more effort like the 70's to save energy?
States would do well to incorporate more bike paths connecting those places we go to shop. Maybe more of us would use this other method of travel if our lifes were not in danger by vehicle on congested roadways.
Driving efficiently
After having been laid off from my job in hospital adminitration, I accepted a position from my old boss. The problem is I have to drive 85 miles one way to work. We are placing our home on the market (not a good time for that, either) and plan to relocate, but in the meantime I have my daily commute.
My old '88 Mustang Convertible with a 5 liter V8, even with a 5 speed transmission, is known for getting poor mileage. But, I am commuting in the opposite direction of the rest of the commuters so I can set my cruise control at 62 mph and listen to my CD's. Incredibly, I am getting just a tick over 30 mpg. I have gone to the same pump at the same gas station to make sure everything is equal. The only explanation for the mileage is my steady, slow speed. (I did just have a quality tuneup, which helps as well.) In addition, I am being easy on my car and I enjoy the stress-free commute. Slowing down is not such a bad thing. I just leave 15 minutes earlier to allow for the slower speed. Is that so bad?
slow down save fuel
I feel it is everybodys best interest to slow down, save fuel, increase engine life, reduce fuel demand, increase tire life, walk, ride a bike, car pool!
Saving gas
I have a 1998 Ford Contour which has had one tune up, and regular oil and filter changes. I have been getting 20 MPG city and 29 Hway. I have changed the way I drive and now get 25-30 in the city, and 50 HWay. I coast when I can. In m city I know the lights and coast on reds, or shut engine off for long lights. I also rode my bike to work for nine round trips of mi in the last 2 weeks. I have not even used an 1/8th of a tank!
On the freeway I use cruise control and go about 60-65 at a safe distance behind a truck, because they adjust their speed and make lane changes long before regular drivers. I love the fact that all you folks passing me pull me along with your wasted energy! And yes, my car is paid for!
Slow down? during "rush" hour?
I can read the signs as well as anyone, in big ol' 2 foot numbers they say "45". Even so, on this stretch of Business 40, it should be more like 40 or 35 due to the really bad design of that road. Does anyone but me drive this stretch at 45? No, are you kidding? Where are the cops to catch these yahoo's blowing my doors off at 65 or 70 EVERY morning, and giving me the finger as they go? Like a pipe, the road can only take so much flow. The speeders cause what I call "bunching" which is the cause of traffic jams, and even more fuel wastage than the speeding causes, not to mention all the frayed nerves. If you are late for work, who's fault is that? Does it justify endangering everyone else on the road? I watch and I see: Most of you don't know what you should be doing as captain of your vehicle; I think your driving is just rubbish. You need to put down the cell, put down the make-up, and just drive like you know you're supposed to, like you care about others. It's like, don't you know what yield means? And what part of Stop didn't you understand? Being grabby on the highway is just plain selfish, as well as dangerous and I'm sure you weren't raised to be like that! All this stuff, driving, consideration, slowing down, etc ties in to good fuel economy, and with 4 dollar gas coming in the next month or so, we need to conserve as never before.
So don't curse the "idiot" driving at the posted speed limit, and then complain about how much you're spending on gas. If you don't want to adjust, take your lumps.
Slow down to save gas
Here's something that the speeders in the audience should think about as it applies to fuel economy: The less efficiently you drive, the worse your fuel economy will be, ergo, the more you are spending on gas. During morning and afternoon "drive time" (not rush hour), not only should you drive the speed limit, you should perhaps drive a little slower. The problem you cause while speeding to get ahead of everyone is that enough other people are doing the same thing, and voila! A traffic jam forms. Now we're standing on our brakes, loosing all that expensive momentum we built up. And then we sit in a long line of traffic, engines idling uselessly, wasting fuel, and then we all have to accellerate again, which as some point out is when the engine's efficiency is in the basement. The roads we have only have so much "bandwidth" ,if you will, so...slow down...leave a little earlier. Remember, there is no place on this earth that you have to get to that is so important it justifies stepping on anyone else to get there. When you are blowing other people's doors off, that is like an assault with a deadly weopon. A lot of people "fudge" and go 5 over the limit, but I have seen a preponderance of other drivers who are exceeding the limit by way more than that. I've clocked you. You're going 85 and 90. Do the math, what is our speed differential, and what do you think will happen to the person you rear-end at that speed?
MPG depends on the car and engine design
I have three cars that are each unique in design and intended use.
My wifes everyday bad weather car is her Ford Taurus Stationwagon, 3.0L V6 with 4 sp. auto. In typical Wasatch Front Utah commuter traffic (we do have traffic jams here), she averages 24mpg.
At a steady 65mph the car averages about 29mpg.
Her summer/good weather commuter is a 1995 Jaguar XJ6, I-6, 24 valve, DOHC coupled to a 4 pd auto. It is considerably more powerful than the Ford yet averages 21 around town and at 85 mph it achieves better than 30 mpg. (one trip to Vegas on US 93 averaged 33 mpg at an average of 65 mph according to the trip computer; we occasionally hit 100 mph in some areas).
Our third car is a Chevy Geo Tracker with a SHOC 1.6 I-4 and a 5 sp manual. It gets 30 mpg in four wheel drive in the winter around town and during the summer in 2 wheel drive it gets around 40 mpg around town. Oddly with it's low gearing, the mileage drops a bit when driven above 60 mph on the freeway to around 30mpg.
Powerful, efficient engines like those found in European cars look like better options for American roads rather than brute force that American and Japaneese manufacturers are giving us. Japaneese mileage has dumbed down to American standards while Europeans have excelled in this area.
Ford's new direct injection, "Eco-boost" engines will be the first test of Euro-tech in American cars.
My three cars are far from worn out; I could drive them another 10 years, however, if better gas mileage can be gained from buying new, I would consider it, but it has to be substantially better mileage and not overpriced to begin with.
Saving Gas
I have never heard any mention anything about the millions of illegal
aliens that have crossed the border that we are now suppling gas for.I think that has a little to do with it.
Saving Gasoline and money
Here are some points to think about.
1. Since the cars are more efficient and not using so mutch gasoline anymore, why is then that the price keeps going up? Is it not more likely that the big money makers want to keep getting the same money when they are selling less gasoline?
2. There are many people that would buy a car that uses Diesel, but the diesel price is about 80 cents more expensive. Is diesel not a by-product of making gasoline?
A diesel car can run 20 miles or more than the same type of gasoline car, is this not saving? But why should we pay more money for this savings?
Improving gas mileage
I own a 1995 Cadillac SLS (Seville Luxery Sedan) with 160,000 miles. In summer 2007 in Denver Colorado, I filled the car at 6:00 AM when fuel weighs more than when hot. With a clean, waxed car, cruise control off, Air conditioning off, windows rolled up, and driving 60MPH, I got 30 MPG driving to Grand Junction Colorado, which is 180 Miles. I normally get 22 MPH.
To duplicate my results and assure the gas mileage is repetitive, in winter of 2007, I drove to Hayes Kansas using the above scenario which is about 200 miles. I was again able to get 30 MPG in lieu of 22. Drag coefficient (resistance or drag on a car through air) is velocity squared. As my speed increases, the drag on car increases proportionally,and gas mileage goes down. Likewise cruise control maintains a consrtant velocity whether going up hill or down hill. For increased gas mileage we need constant acceleration.
Incidentally this same scheme was used in the Mobil Economy run more than three decades ago using a Ford Pinto.
I have sent this info to both news papers here in Denver and hope it will be published.
I am attempting to get this authenticated with CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) also.
gas prices
drive at 55mph to and from work .
Clarification of improving gas mileage.
I appreciate my email above that was added to this dialogue. I am a retired chief engineer in Mission Success at a large Aerospace Corporation and have driven more than 1 million miles , purchasing 4 new cars, i.e., 57 Mercurry, 1965 Bonneville Pontiac, 1979 Caddy still driving with 336,000 miles and a 1995 SLS Cadillac with over 100,000 miles.
Each American car produced has a Dc (Drag coefficient) which is the resistance to movement of vehicle through the medium of Air as measured using a wind tunnel. While it is true per Jay of Pa above regarding gear rartios and engine performance that determines gas mileage, reducing speed from 75 MPH to 60 MPH and driving in the right slow lane should improve gas mileage in the majority of cars manufactured.
There are many factors too numerous to mention here. However another one not mentioned above is temperature compensating at the gas pump. I obtained from a Canadian sounce that they Canada temperature compensate the gas at most pumps to 15 degrees C which is 37 degrees fareinheit. With temperature compensating you get not only a gallon of gas each time, but the weight per gallon is the same at 50 degrees as with 100 degrees. I realize that the storage gas reservoirs are under ground, but the gas flow rate meters are above ground. All airlines measure the weight of gas in kilograms and not gallons. Again I am soliciting that the Federal, state and local governments temperature compensate to save Americans millions of dollars per year.
Until them where feasible always get gas early in AM or late PM to get more pounds per gallon.
What I am doing
There are many ways to help, here is what I am doing:
1) I now work from home, courtsey of LiveOps.com. Less pay than before, but I have more money due to fuel savings and that doesn't count all the other benefits.
2) For the times I do have to drive, I plan my trips so that it is in a logical order and go to the stores closest to me.
3) I bike and walk whenever possible
4) I use cotton tote bags for groceries, as those plastic bags you get from every store needs crude oil in order to be made.
5) I no longer use plastic in my house. Glass jars replace tupperware, I cook less to avoid leftovers. That tupperware or those disposable storage containers also take crude oil in order to be made.
6) I take care in what I purchase, I look for items that are made locally (less transportation to get them to the store means less gas used). I also look for the items that use less packaging material.
I do have older vehicles and the miles per gallon, or the miles per dollar is not what I want it to be. However, since I drive much less than what I did before, I am okay with keeping these until a good hybrid is made.
We all can do a small part, whether it be something as simple as slowing down, changing our place of work, demanding flexible schedules and work from home opportunities from our employers, using fewer plastic products, and most importantly...sharing what we do with others.
it's not that complicated...
Anybody who rides a bike knows when the most energy is consumed: speeding up (especially jackrabbit starts), maintaining a very fast speed, heading into a wind, and riding uphill...when on a long bike tour or a century ride, saving energy is key...now just apply those same simple concepts to driving.
Use less gas and the price will rise...
For those who think using less fuel will lower prices, think again. The gas companies will simply raise the price to continue the profits at the current or higher level....it's called greed. We have seen this happen in the past with other commodities.
As to the comments by our cousin from the North, about Euro and Canadian high gas prices, the majority of that extra cost is from tax imposed by the various countries. That is your problem, and has nothing to do with the greed driven prices we are forced to pay. Great Britain is pushing $10.00 a gallon, and a lot of that is tax, added to the greed of the gas companies.
BP (for those who didn't know it's British Petroleum) reported record profits last quarter. Remember that as you fill that tank. oh, and if you still have AMOCO stations, they are owned by BP. Shell is a Dutch company. So, you can see where the money is going, out of the country. And, let's not forget CITGO, owned by Venezuela, and Hugo Chavez - the new Castro, but more militant. He is using his profits from your gas purchases to bolster his military.
And, lastly, for those of us who live in rural States, such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, etc., we have no choice. I don't need the government telling me how fast I can drive on the Interstate, while you waste gas driving back and forth to work, so you can be comfortable sitting in your SUV instead of riding the bus.
In lieu of lowering the speed limits on Interstates, how about we have the government enact laws that would force all of you big city folks to park your cars and ride the bus/trains to work. You burn millions of gallons of fuel parked in traffic, every hour of every day. One person in one vehicle. That is unaccepatble.
As for the Iraq war, and oil...we buy approximately 10% of our oil from the Middle East. The below information is from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) :
"Canada remained the largest exporter of total petroleum in November, exporting 2.360 million barrels per day to the United States, which is a decrease from last month (2.431 thousand barrels per day). The second largest exporter of total petroleum was Saudi Arabia with 1.686 million barrels per day.
Crude Oil Imports (Top 15 Countries)
(Thousand Barrels per Day)
Country Dec-07 Nov-07 YTD 2007 Dec-06 Jan - Dec 2006
CANADA 1,784 1,919 1,864 1,830 1,802
SAUDI ARABIA 1,675 1,530 1,453 1,471 1,423
VENEZUELA 1,246 1,227 1,150 1,045 1,142
MEXICO 1,234 1,484 1,410 1,245 1,577
NIGERIA 1,210 1,245 1,082 1,010 1,037
ANGOLA 439 408 496 610 513
IRAQ 378 508 485 419 553
ALGERIA 348 184 443 406 362
ECUADOR 195 154 198 240 272
BRAZIL 171 78 167 130 133
KUWAIT 158 154 176 163 179
AZERBAIJAN 134 77 57 68 27
LIBYA 116 66 84 46 66
COLOMBIA 113 197 137 74 141
UNITED KINGDOM 93 42 102 93 130
What a shame
Amazing how in the year 2008 I am being told what I should be driving. Sorry but I don't want to drive an aluminum garbage can on 4 wheels. While other countries such as Venezuela are drilling for oil, we are being threatened to squeeze fuel out of corn. I don't hear the environmentalist wacko's demanding Hugo Chavez partnered with China and India (google the info if you don't believe) stop drilling for oil 50 miles off the coast of Sunny Florida. If you really want to put an end to our dependance on foreign oil then lets start drilling for our own oil instead of telling me to dig out my Huffy 10 speed bicycle. And yes...at the very same time work on hybrid vehicles that wont cost an arm and leg and look like a 1985 Yugo.
So Sad
I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with 155,000 miles. It only averages 15mpg. If I could afford another car, I would. What is sad is that we are subsidizing Mexican immigrants, actually all immigrants in this country so that they can assimilate! The American marketing hucksters have sold us over the last few decades about owning a new car based on its sexiness and speed. Naturally, middle-class Americans have not known hardships such as we are experiencing today. Most have let our government run rampant just so long as they had a paycheck, a 12-pack, and an RV. That may change with the layoffs from Bear and Sterns.
I coast. Good for the brakes and less gas used!
So Sad
I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with 155,000 miles. It only averages 15mpg. If I could afford another car, I would. What is sad is that we are subsidizing Mexican immigrants, actually all immigrants in this country so that they can assimilate! The American marketing hucksters have sold us over the last few decades about owning a new car based on its sexiness and speed. Naturally, middle-class Americans have not known hardships such as we are experiencing today. Most have let our government run rampant just so long as they had a paycheck, a 12-pack, and an RV. That may change with the layoffs from Bear and Sterns.
I coast. Good for the brakes and less gas used!
fuel cost & greedy fuel Co
lets all stick it up the greedy fuel companys & our greedy over taxed coverments an dont use our motor cars & dont go to work an stay home for a week we need the whole word to stick to gether on this one this should wake them up from gerry tiehuis
gas vs. speed
in response to the comment by Nancy K of TN, there are plenty of FACTS to support the fact that slower driving=gas saving.
Finding your Speed "Sweet Spot" Not Necessarily means Slowing Down
I used to drive a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES and found the most fuel efficient speed to be around 52-55 mph (using the cruise control to manage my speed to reduce the usage of brake and gas pedal unless totally necessary). After that car got totalled, I have now since been driving a Nissan Versa hatch SL and used the same speed and I have been getting around 30-32 mpg. This is quite disappointing for me, really, since it was rated for 33 mpg on the highway. But recently, I went on a 200 mile trip driving at 60 mph constantly (and using the cruise, etc) and got 35 mpg!
I think I just found the sweet spot for this car (or at least, a better spot than driving 55 mph). This also shows that being fuel efficient does not necessarily mean slowing down.
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Saving gas
It seems as if we are in a race to use up the world's oil. The faster we drive the faster the supply is depleted. If, I will repeat that, If legislators and the public cared about the gas prices a nationwide speed limit would be mandated. (remember the 70's) I think 60 mph on interstates would save millions of barrels of oil every year, millions of gallons of gas every week.
I personally drive 55 maximum speed with my 2007 Corolla, I usually get about 37 mpg in town, and up to 45 highway. I don't idle, I keep tires properly inflated and keep my car impeccably maintained. Under normal driving conditions I fuel up about every 4 weeks, that is less than $10 a week for gas, at $3.30 a gallon.
The really nice thing is that I am never late for anything, I am never rushed, and I feel a sense of pride knowing that I am making a difference.
Mar 15, 2008 07:11:17 AM [permalink] [report comment]