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by charli from Tampa FL

Last Post 11 days, 5 hours Ago


Dropping Speed limits to save gas
Jul 4, 2008 | 11:49 AM
Category: News
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Okay, we all know that city/"stop and go" traffic wastes gas... What I am trying to figure out is the savings in gas by dropping the speeds on I75, etal., to 55.  The speeds were increased many years ago because studies showed that higher speeds, not excessive speeds, helped with mpg.  So, I get on I75 and drive 65 miles at 65 mph...  Get to my destination in 65 minutes.. based on 20 mpg used up 3.2 gallons of gas.  I then drive the same 65 miles at 55 mph... takes me 10 minutes longer to get the 65 miles, ergo using more gas to drive the last 10 miles.  Studies I have viewed show 60 to 65 mph to be optimal... 55 and 70 are about the same with lower than 60 and higher than 65 giving lower mpg.  And, you are on the road longer at 55 mph!
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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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mmustangg read my blog view my photos
Jul 4, 2008 | 12:10 PM

I know this depends a lot on the car you are driving but it does show that even optimal MPG has a "sweet spot"! Me....I go 70mph and get there a little faster. Time is money too you know! Unlike a gas tank, you can't refuel a clock and get time back once burned.
charli read my blog view my photos
Jul 4, 2008 | 1:02 PM

tangers... hope you are having a great holiday. Mine started out great... drove the county's CanDo robot truck in the Brandon Parade this AM. The looks on the faces of the kids made my day! I like the "time is money" thing... makes sense, using my calculations.
mmustangg read my blog view my photos
Jul 4, 2008 | 1:23 PM

Charli,

I'll most likely be in the parade next year. The Brandon League of Fine Arts celebrities its 50th anniversary next year and we want to get in the parade to let people know. Keep an eye out for me. I'll be with the artsy fartsy folks!*lol*
mmustangg read my blog view my photos
Jul 4, 2008 | 1:29 PM

Celibrates even! That's what I get for trusting the spell check and not proof reading. Damned auto word fill! *lol*
Neanderthal read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 6:59 AM

There is another consideration that should be factored into the speed equation...safety. Increased mileage aside, speeds at 60 to 65 m.p.h. also increases drivers reaction time for avoiding a collision. True, cars are safer now than 20 years ago, however, any wreck at 70 m.p.h. and above guarntees serious injury and or death. Leave a little earlier and tilt the odds and mileage in your favor.
mmustangg read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 7:10 AM

Neander,

If you are going to start using safety card, let's just walk to work! If you have a head-on at 65 vs 75, the only difference is how far your head will fly out of your own arse!

By the way Neander, why do we even respond to you here? You dont let people respond to YOUR blogs. You seem like a nice enough fellow but that really chaps my hide!
Neanderthal read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 7:35 AM

Quite correct on both counts mm, I apologize for the intrusion.
piratepatriot read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 10:21 AM

Many newer cars have the digital display that shows how many miles to empty. They usually can also show the average MPG. I get my best mileage at 70MPH, which gets me 25MPG (Lincoln LS V8).

As far as collisions, the studies that were done before they raised the speed limit showed no significant rise in the number of accidents at 65MPH.
charli read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:06 PM

tangers... thanks for the info on next year's parade. I usually drive the truck that follows the robot, CanDo. Depending on how you behave in the next year... and your position in the parade. ;-)

(The light bulb problem... if you live out that way, take them to the South County collection... 15 minutes at most wait!)
charli read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:15 PM

Neand... cars were better built in the 50's... when Corvette came out with the fiberglass body, we were all doomed. Plastic fenders are useless... even though attractively colored.

Collisions have nothing to do with the discussion. We are talking about mpg at different speeds. I get great mpg on my 10 year old car, whenever I get to drive on the interstate. I only live 7 miles from work... used to live 2. My mpg stinks since it takes me longer to get to the interstate to get to work than it takes me to get there using Himes and Kennedy.

Here's an idea... double the size of the bicycle lanes in order to allow golf carts... for those people who can charge the batteries. But then again, there would be the problem of trying to make left hand turns! ;-)
charli read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:28 PM

gang. go to the DTV conversion blog... I have started the experiment. So far, so good.
bigsarge read my blog
Jul 7, 2008 | 7:51 AM

each one of you is correct. your car is the judge on gas mpg. short trips won't be the yard stick. we had this 55mph restriction once before and it did work, on long trips. the bigger cars do get bwtter mileage at higher speeds though. if you have an on board computer use it to find out. in thr city there are other streets to drive on[faster] than 275 etc in high traffic hours. I drove handicap van for years and found lots of good ways to get around tampa and hills. county without using the interstate all the time. slowing done makes sense on tour pocket book and your disposition.
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charli

I am an Environmental Specialist with Hills. Cty. Basically, I am a "dumpster diver". I also do a lot of educational graphics design about the proper disposal of household chemical & electronics, litter, etc. My hobbies are very diverse... golf and reading, with sci-fi, forensic mysteries, and history being my favorites. My other passion is photography, mostly nature. Ever since experiencing my first hurricane in Florida, Cleo in 1964 when I was 15, when the eye went over my house, I have been fascinated with weather. I have a 99% accuracy... including predicting Charley's turn away from Tampa the night before he hit down south.

Member Since: 7/17/2006


 

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