Highway vs In-Town

[Bob5150]

My drive to work is 9 miles, with 14 traffic lights on the way. It's "suburban" type driving, going from a stop to about 50 mph, and then back to a stop light.

In an effort to extend the life of my 1995 Mercury Sable with an ailing transmission (slipping between 1st and second gears, and generally sloppy shifts overall), I have tried taking a highway route to and from work.

My commute goes from 18 miles per day to 37 miles per day, so about double the mileage. I am using more fuel since I am doing about 70 mph with the traffic flow and driving more distance. The fuel isn't a concern, really, more worried about the transmission. I usually start my car and then lock up the store I work at, and by the time I get to the on ramp 2 miles later, it's usually warmed up.

I plan on driving beater cars for the next 15 years so I can focus on paying my house off. This car will go to the junkyard once the trans goes, since it has a host of other problems and will not be worth repairing. I'd like to keep it going as long as possible, though.

What do BITOGers think about using the highway rather than driving through town?

My thoughts:

Pros:

-less stress on transmission
-avoid sitting at busy intersections through 2-3 light changes
-avoid the rather pothole-filled roads to and from work

Cons:

-slightly more fuel used
-more wear on tires

 

[bullwinkle]

It would be easier on the transaxle, but less convenient when it finally dies (on the highway).

 

[supton]

I'd boil it down in terms of cost. After a couple tanks on each route you know the mpg of either; and then you can figure out the cost difference between the two routes. Extend that out to cost per month or cost per year, and see which really costs more. I would then put in less tangible allowances for the frustration of sitting at a light and driving over potholes versus the loss in your time. I'd lean heavily towards the total cost out of pocket, then let it be swayed 10 maybe 20% by the time/ease arguments.

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My hat is off to you. I'm not sure I could put up with a trans that I did not trust.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
It would be easier on the transaxle, but less convenient when it finally dies (on the highway).


Good point, although a busy city road might be even more stressful if a car were to quit versus a liesurely country highway.

I presume no left hand exits and turns? If the trans were to up and quit it might decide to do so at the worst of times, like when in a left lane.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Bob5150

Cons:

-slightly more fuel used

Slightly? You're roughly doubling your fuel cost because you're driving twice the miles each day and you're wearing out all other components of the car more while doing so.

Taking an average fuel consumption of around 23 MPG, over the course of 15 years, you'd be paying $13,000 more for gas if you took the longer route, assuming gas prices stay at $4/gal. By comparison, how much would a new transmission cost you?

 

[Bob5150]

The commutes average out to within 5 minutes of each other under normal traffic conditions.

No left exits, just jump on the highway and sit in the right lane for 3 exits.

I have AAA, and the commute is only 30 minutes, so I would probably just have my wife or a friend come get me if it died. I'm not in the middle of nowhere, and the shoulders are plenty big enough to pull over and wait for a tow truck.

 

[supton]

If the time difference is nil I'd go highway. Might burn a hair more in gas but I'm guessing it's not 2x in gas cost either. Idling at lights, and accelerating away from lights, burns a bunch of gas.

 

[charbaby]

What maintenance has been done on this transmission?

Have you ever tried just replacing the transmission filter/screen w/gasket & the ATF?

Maybe an additive such as LubeGard Red Bottle with a proper ATF change may infact help you meet your criteria of getting a little more out of the transmission with little cost involved

IDK, what'cha think?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: supton
Might burn a hair more in gas but I'm guessing it's not 2x in gas cost either.

OK, so OP, what would be your MPG if driven in-town? What would be your MPG if driven via hwy?

 

[Bob5150]

I have pulled the pan and replaced the screen and fluid twice with Mercon V. The fluid currently looks new still, 2500 miles after the last partial change.

Mileage is ~23 on the highway and ~17 in town, calculated over every tank I've used since 9-1-2012. Includes several tanks on long highway trips and many tanks of just in-town. It's a 3.8L motor.

 

[mjk]

+1 on trying an additive.

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
What maintenance has been done on this transmission?

Have you ever tried just replacing the transmission filter/screen w/gasket & the ATF?

Maybe an additive such as LubeGard Red Bottle with a proper ATF change may infact help you meet your criteria of getting a little more out of the transmission with little cost involved

IDK, what'cha think?

 

[charbaby]

The MPG sounds about right for that gen of Sable/Taurus w/3.8L.
Well, you've done what I would have done as-far-as maintenance!
Do you know if there are any adjustable bands for that transmission?

 

[Benzadmiral]

I do something similar since buying the Regal. On my morning commute with the Park Avenue, I used to drive mostly surface streets after crossing the Miss. River Bridge, total of 9 miles/25 minutes. Now I stay with the expressway for 2-3 extra miles, then exit to (better paved) surface streets with fewer lights, total of 12 miles/20 minutes.

Plus it's a lot more fun.

 

[datech]

Maybe trade for a different beater? That car will be REALLY old in another 15 years. I wonder how realistic it would be to try and keep it. I have known guys that did remarkably well (in terms of low cost) by jumping from cheap car to cheap car. Find a cheap one with maybe one minor problem, drive it a while until it is close to dying, then dump it for another.

 

[supton]

Ok, so I was wrong about "hair" but I know my truck gets 16 in stop and go, if not less. 21 on the highway in summer. That would be 52% not 100% more in gas (highway being 2x longer). My bad. 23high/17town, that is 3.2gallons highway / 2.1gallons city. I'm guessing 235 commutes per year, so that is 752 gallons highway / 494 gallons city; a 258 gallon difference. Times a typical RUG price of $3.70 I come up with $955 difference.

Does seem like it would pay for a trans replacement inside of two years.

IIRC from prior threads the OP also doesn't plan to fix this transmission, just drive it until it dies, then replace vehicle with one with less rust. My apologies if I remember wrong.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Bob5150
Mileage is ~23 on the highway and ~17 in town,

OK, so you're looking at about $8,500 more in gas via the longer route over 15 years.

 

[hypervish]

Guys, he doesn't plan on driving this particular beater for another 15 years. He say's he's planning on driving beater cars for another 15 years, i.e. other beater cars. So the gas costs for 15 years are irrelevant.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

As a side note, If you are 10 years or more from retirement, I would refi the house and keep the money invested. Mortgage loans are cheap now (if you have a decent rating).
I've accumulated over 20% IN THE MARKET THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. You can "earn" double your mortgage rate even in conservative bond funds.
Concentrate on wealth accumulation, not debit minimization.

 

[99Saturn]

Originally Posted By: supton
Ok, so I was wrong about "hair" but I know my truck gets 16 in stop and go, if not less. 21 on the highway in summer. That would be 52% not 100% more in gas (highway being 2x longer). My bad. 23high/17town, that is 3.2gallons highway / 2.1gallons city. I'm guessing 235 commutes per year, so that is 752 gallons highway / 494 gallons city; a 258 gallon difference. Times a typical RUG price of $3.70 I come up with $955 difference.

Does seem like it would pay for a trans replacement inside of two years.

IIRC from prior threads the OP also doesn't plan to fix this transmission, just drive it until it dies, then replace vehicle with one with less rust. My apologies if I remember wrong.

supton - Not trying to nitpick, but I think the OPs commute is half what you laid out above.

Originally Posted By: Bob5150
My commute goes from 18 miles per day to 37 miles per day, so about double the mileage.

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Either way, personally, I'd have a hard time paying $500 more in gas and wear and tear (whatever the next problem is) and would just use the time now to search for a good deal on the next beater.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: hypervish
Guys, he doesn't plan on driving this particular beater for another 15 years.

OK, so about $500-$600 more in gas cost per year in his current car, plus additional wear and tear related to extra miles.