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12-04-2007, 04:54 AM
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What speed do you drive?
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Greeny-Beany Money Mod
Last Online: Today 05:05 AM
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,410
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I use to be a speed demon but something happened when my daughter was born and I slowed down. Now days, that I'm driving with TWO kids in the car, I seem to have slowed down even more! And let's not discuss the fact that now days, I check the weather report before leaving the house! I use to drive in ALL weather conditions! Not anymore.
Anyway, I usually go about 60 mph on our highways. Helps me avoid deer and other wildlife on the road. And as it turns out I am saving a bit of gas! I just ran across this article on the net that discusses driving speeds vs. gas usage.
Best Gas Mileage, Fuel Economy – Drive 55 Miles Per Hour - thedailygreen.com
On the highway, try not to exceed a speed of 55 miles per hour. Not only are you less likely to get into an accident, but the faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle consumes per mile. That means more money and more greenhouse gases.
At 65 mph you're burning 10% more fuel than at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17% of your fuel economy, and at 75 it’s 25%. The numbers get worse from there.
Even though you may thrive off living in the fast lane, if the national speed limit were reset to 55, it would save 1 billion barrels of oil per year -- more than the U.S. imports from the Persian Gulf.
The reason is simple physics. As your engine heats up at high speeds, it burns gas faster. Plus all that increasing resistance from the air and road drag you down.
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