Driving fast and it's implications

[Southie]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

@Priapism

I don’t think so. You are correct that for most cars efficient drops after 55/60 mph but its depends on the type of car. With hybrids, electric cars and more efficient engines, things will def get better with time. Question to ask is if you would be ok driving at 55mph on a freeway. Even today when the speed sign says 60 is max, people drive at 70, 75 easily because there is no traffic. I don’t think people are thinking about conserving fuel, they just need to get where they are going fast. So i think it is better to increase the speed limit and regulate it than to give unnecessary tickets to people like me

We are talking two different issues though. I understand the need to get from point a to B fast. But that doesn’t change the fact highest fuel efficiency obtained in 45 to 55 mph range - varying based on car type etc.

For long distance trip I can understand going at 70 mph. But for 10 to 12 mile each way commute, the time saved.is negligible. Most times you spend some time on side streets and then some on highway. For example I get onto a 70 mph highway and have to exit in 1 mile. I don’t bother getting to 70 mph. Because exit is a 270 Deg steep turn at 25 mph recommended speed. I work the car to 55 mph. Impatient drivers speed past me to get to same exit. And break all the way thru the turn. While I slow down to 49 mph by the time I enter the exit. And never hit the brake. And easily catch up to the jokers who are busy braking.

[SaeedinPakistan]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

@Priapism

I don’t think so. You are correct that for most cars efficient drops after 55/60 mph but its depends on the type of car. With hybrids, electric cars and more efficient engines, things will def get better with time. Question to ask is if you would be ok driving at 55mph on a freeway. Even today when the speed sign says 60 is max, people drive at 70, 75 easily because there is no traffic. I don’t think people are thinking about conserving fuel, they just need to get where they are going fast. So i think it is better to increase the speed limit and regulate it than to give unnecessary tickets to people like me

This thread isn’t about speed limits . Besides, if they increase the speed limit people will still drive 10mph over the limit because they know a cop is less likely to stop you for driving slightly over the limit.

[Southie]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

@SaeedinPakistan

I understand your concern. However, driving 55mph on a roadway where the posted limit is 60mph is unfeasible. You’d be holding up traffic behind you, causing a myriad of problems ranging from road rage to congestion. As I said in an earlier post, there are things Americans can do besides driving under the limit that will help alleviate this problem. Smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic cars; biking and walking when possible; limiting electricity consumption by not turning your house into the Arctic in summers and the Mohave in winters; stop eating so much, the more you eat the more CO2(and methane) you generate and it takes more energy to transport a 200lb+ person than a 165lb person. Moreover, we need to invest more into clean energy. This does not seem likely anytime soon due to the market being glutted with cheap oil.

Lastly, someone needs to do something about China burning all that frickin Coal.

PS: For me personally, going under the limit would be too much of a trouble. I just don’t have that of self control, at least not at this age. However, knowing my weakness, I can make up for it by buying something that won’t punish me for my driving style as much. A small car, with an efficient internal combustion engine. Moreover, I can plan my excursions so as to limit my car use. Make a list and do everything in one trip, instead of making multiple grocery runs throughout the day.

I never do cause congestion. Most of my commute is on 55 mph road with lots of lights. If light has just turned red quarter mile ahead, I take foot off accelerator. The buffoons behind who can see no farther than the car in front of them get frustrated. Wave their arms. Approach very close - as if that will magically cause me to accelerate. Then the car changes lane. The car behind that does the same. Ditto car behind that. And all of them accelerate to a stop. While I am coasting to the light, breaking gently if necessary. As the light turns green, I go past the looong line of cars who have hurried up to stop. I gently turn towards them, not saying anything, and zip right past them.

When I have the time I go at 65 mph in 70 mph highway if distance is 40 to 100 each way. For greater distance abt 67 mph.

Trick is never ever stopping at a light.

By the way, congestion is cause when people go bumper to bumper. In such traffic I leave 4 car lengths gap so my wheels r always roll8ng. While others brake and accelerate brake and accelerate

[Southie]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

Driving efficiently is so much fun.- I tell my wife each day on the way out - my best time of the day coming up. Ethan, are you listening?

[Southie]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

@SaeedinPakistan

I agree with you. Driving within the 40 to 55 mph range is best for fuel efficiency. Especially driving in and around towns. I see no point in pedal to the metal jack rabbit start. I have been hypermilng and found it very enjoyable. You should try it.
:

@Ethan_Hunt

this guy gets it.

Yes. He does.

[Southie]

Re: Driving fast and it’s implications

@SID_NY

Btw does anybody know that setting the car to cruise maintaining a uniform speed say even 55 mph consumes more gas or no? As per my observation it does consume more everytime a cruise is set

@Southie

I am.pretty sure cruise control consumes less.

Sid is correct. Target driving better than constant throttle better than cruise.

Cruise is good for those with lead feet. Since Sid gets poorer mpg using cruise, he has feet of clay. Below pasted from hypermilng forum.

Thank you.

"Choose a throttle position and hold it.

Advantages: more efficient than using the cruise control (which varies throttle position frequently and wastes fuel on hills).*

Disadvantages: less efficient than “driving with load” (DWL) / “target driving” (where the throttle is eased on inclines).

43)*Cruise control - when to use it

Set the cruise control if you’re the type of driver whose speed creeps up higher and higher the longer you’re on the road, or if you have difficulty holding a steady speed (it wanders up and down).

But realize that cruise control is just a band aid for those behaviours. Generally it’s less efficient than constant throttle driving, and much less efficient than “driving with load” / “target driving”.

44)*Cruise control - when not to use it

Only use cruise control on flat roads. On hilly roads, cruise responds to changes in grade - by feeding in more throttle on the uphill and releasing on the descent - in the exact opposite way an efficient driver would."