I don't understand why the speed limits have not been lowered like they
were back in the '70s. I read about offshore drilling and can't help but
wonder why not lower the speed limits to save fuel.

I know just from our brief experiences with a couple of cars, it is not
hard to save fuel. Martha got 35 mpg on a 500 mile trip a couple of weeks
ago. That was on her '99 Toyota Camry. I will normally get about 28 from
the same car, driving 75-80 mph. I got 24 mpg out of my Toyota Highlander
by slowing down just a little last week when we went on a fishing trip. I
slowed down to 70 mph on the interstate and 65 mph on the state roads.
Not a major slowdown, but enough to show about 4 mpg difference.

Anyone else have any thoughts on a national lower speed limit? It just
seems to me that if everyone slowed down, the fuel savings would be
significant.

Neal

It's a good idea but you'd get killed around here. They drive 85-90 on I-5
(traffic allowing) and will run you down for going the speed limit as it
is. They say they ticket for changing lanes in and out but I've never seen
it and they tailgate and honk if you go the posted speed limit. It is a
given you better drive at least 5 over to save your life!

--
Sue -- Firefighter mom -- still rabid UW DAWG fan!
"Neal" <nealbrown1 at (no spam) msn.com> wrote in message
news:6cb258F3fo033U1 at (no spam) mid.individual.net...
I don't understand why the speed limits have not been lowered like they
were back in the '70s. I read about offshore drilling and can't help but
wonder why not lower the speed limits to save fuel.

I know just from our brief experiences with a couple of cars, it is not
hard to save fuel. Martha got 35 mpg on a 500 mile trip a couple of
weeks ago. That was on her '99 Toyota Camry. I will normally get about
28 from the same car, driving 75-80 mph. I got 24 mpg out of my Toyota
Highlander by slowing down just a little last week when we went on a
fishing trip. I slowed down to 70 mph on the interstate and 65 mph on
the state roads. Not a major slowdown, but enough to show about 4 mpg
difference.

Anyone else have any thoughts on a national lower speed limit? It just
seems to me that if everyone slowed down, the fuel savings would be
significant.

Neal

I had chided Martha a bit for her driving the speed limit in town. I told
her, on the interstate especially, it was best to "go with the flow" of
traffic, rather than obey the speed limit.

Yesterday, when I got this nice letter in the mail with two pictures of
the back of my Highlander and a fine for driving 55 in a 45 mph
construction zone, I started to rethink my previous statement. Ten miles
an hour over the speed limit cost me $74.00!!!!

Neal

"Susan Mitchell" <medlawtrans at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote in message
news:O5WdnSuCP8iQyP3VnZ2dnUVZ_h7inZ2d at (no spam) comcast.com...
It's a good idea but you'd get killed around here. They drive 85-90 on
I-5 (traffic allowing) and will run you down for going the speed limit as
it is. They say they ticket for changing lanes in and out but I've never
seen it and they tailgate and honk if you go the posted speed limit. It
is a given you better drive at least 5 over to save your life!

--
Sue -- Firefighter mom -- still rabid UW DAWG fan!
"Neal" <nealbrown1 at (no spam) msn.com> wrote in message
news:6cb258F3fo033U1 at (no spam) mid.individual.net...
I don't understand why the speed limits have not been lowered like they
were back in the '70s. I read about offshore drilling and can't help but
wonder why not lower the speed limits to save fuel.

I know just from our brief experiences with a couple of cars, it is not
hard to save fuel. Martha got 35 mpg on a 500 mile trip a couple of
weeks ago. That was on her '99 Toyota Camry. I will normally get about
28 from the same car, driving 75-80 mph. I got 24 mpg out of my Toyota
Highlander by slowing down just a little last week when we went on a
fishing trip. I slowed down to 70 mph on the interstate and 65 mph on
the state roads. Not a major slowdown, but enough to show about 4 mpg
difference.

Anyone else have any thoughts on a national lower speed limit? It just
seems to me that if everyone slowed down, the fuel savings would be
significant.

Neal

I don't understand why the speed limits have not been lowered like they
were back in the '70s. I read about offshore drilling and can't help but
wonder why not lower the speed limits to save fuel.

I know just from our brief experiences with a couple of cars, it is not
hard to save fuel. Martha got 35 mpg on a 500 mile trip a couple of weeks
ago. That was on her '99 Toyota Camry. I will normally get about 28 from
the same car, driving 75-80 mph. I got 24 mpg out of my Toyota Highlander
by slowing down just a little last week when we went on a fishing trip. I
slowed down to 70 mph on the interstate and 65 mph on the state roads.
Not a major slowdown, but enough to show about 4 mpg difference.

Anyone else have any thoughts on a national lower speed limit? It just
seems to me that if everyone slowed down, the fuel savings would be
significant.

Neal

There are other techniques to save on gas, or so I've heard. One is
to coast as much as possible after stepping on the gas for a bit. I
tried that recently on back roads, but I don't think drivers on busier
city streets would go for this.

Another was to keep the vehicles as light as possible. That means
removing heavy items from the trunk (I had Richard take out the 20
pounds of cat litter last week from hatchback) and not having an empty
bike rack on the top of the car. Oh yes, there was also something
about having the proper pressure in the tires.

Do any of you have other tips on saving gas? Blue Satyr's tank is
still almost full, but she will be needing more gas probably in
August.

Judity
My Home of the Red Fox book web site
http://jabuxton-06-13-08.bravehost.com/
or read any of my other stories in the link below
http://judity.Writing.Com/

No, the coasting will actually work, I think. These hypermilers use all
kinds of drastic stuff and get high mileage - some of itis dangerous.

I'm not sure coasting, i.e., intermittent use of gas pedal, on level
ground would be as good as coasting down hills. In the manual
transmissing, taking the car out of gear into neutral reduces the engine
speed below what just taking foot off the gas will do and depending on
the road, you can coast a good long way at a good speed. Planning ahead
would help because if you see the light is goig to change, you can get
to it with foot off the gas.


--
RaeMorrill
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No, the coasting will actually work, I think. These hypermilers use all
kinds of drastic stuff and get high mileage - some of itis dangerous.

I'm not sure coasting, i.e., intermittent use of gas pedal, on level
ground would be as good as coasting down hills. In the manual
transmissing, taking the car out of gear into neutral reduces the engine
speed below what just taking foot off the gas will do and depending on
the road, you can coast a good long way at a good speed. Planning ahead
would help because if you see the light is goig to change, you can get
to it with foot off the gas.


--
RaeMorrill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The way Martha gets honked at for driving slow, I doubt that many people
will modify their driving habits without some kind of a law. I have
noticed, however, that many people do seem to be driving slower, so it
very well may be to save gas.

Here are some easy gas-saving tips.

Tire pressure is very important. Have it checked or check it yourself
monthly. There is always a tag or sticker on the inside of the driver's
door frame showing the proper inflation.

Smooth and easy acceleration is best. Learn to use your tach. Martha
looks at hers now for the first time, and gets the transmission to shift
sooner.

If you have a 5-speed transmission, drive in 4th gear in town when driving
below 45 mph. This puts the engine in it's best power range, which is
also the best economy range.

Shut off your engine when waiting in line at the bank, drive-in, etc.
Modern fuel-injected cars use less gas starting than they do idling.

Change your engine air filter often. Buy your own filter. It is an easy
do-it-yourself project, just a couple of snaps.

Anybody else?

Neal

No, drive like Nascar, get real close and draft!

Susan, that's one of the things I think they demonstrated on TV as
dangerous. LOL. I think those guys on that show that does crazy stuff to
see if it is possible - name eludes me at the moment - tried it under
controlled conditions. It works, apparently, but you have to be so close
behind the truck if they hit the brakes you are going to run right under
them.


--
RaeMorrill
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