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.
Jay
of PA
@
Mar 15, 2008 12:27:10 PM
We need to have our cars run on biodiesel or fuelcells,but since our oil companies have so much power,I dont see that happening soon.
Jamie
of MI
@
Mar 15, 2008 12:20:10 PM
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.
Paul of Austin
of TX
@
Mar 15, 2008 11:53:20 AM
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.........
Patty
@
Mar 15, 2008 10:15:47 AM
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.
Matt
of FL
@
Mar 15, 2008 08:53:42 AM
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.
Paul
of CO
@
Mar 15, 2008 07:23:21 AM
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.
Michael L. Neumann
of WI
@
Mar 15, 2008 07:11:17 AM
Jay of PA @ Mar 15, 2008 12:27:10 PM
Jamie of MI @ Mar 15, 2008 12:20:10 PM
Paul of Austin of TX @ Mar 15, 2008 11:53:20 AM
Patty @ Mar 15, 2008 10:15:47 AM
Matt of FL @ Mar 15, 2008 08:53:42 AM
Paul of CO @ Mar 15, 2008 07:23:21 AM
Michael L. Neumann of WI @ Mar 15, 2008 07:11:17 AM
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