More apologies to Sammy; I can drive 55, part deux

[simple_gifts]

Here is my original thread of driving 50mph in my !echo!

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post902480

I decided to do the same in my B2300. 2.3L Duratec with 5sp manual. Redline D4 in the gearbox, vehicle running ASM 0W-20; 50-55mph (2K RPM), casual shifting, occasional AC; 90% highway.

539 miles, 16.16 gallons =33.3 mpg.

Not bad for a pickup.

 

[Mucho_MPG]

Buddies doing the 55 thing in a 99 Saturn SL 1.9L

He reports 47 mpg at 55mph. That aint bad for a 9 year old car with 100 grand on the clock.

 

[Cutehumor]

what reaction do you get from other drivers?

 

[Merkava_4]

55mph feels real slow in my Buick; but surprisingly, 60mph is livable.

 

[twentynine]

Wasn't their something in the news recently, comgress wanting to pass the 55mph limit?

 

[Gary Allan]

No one follows the 65mph speed limit except governed trucks. This is one item where I say let the market dictate the practice. Time is still the only true non-renewable resource ...at least for now.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Time is still the only true non-renewable resource ...at least for now.


Not for long! The replacement for petroleum fuels will be oil derived from algae.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

what reaction do you get from other drivers?

Only about 60% of my 27 mile trip to work is in a 65mph zone; The other areas are targeted enforcement areas 50mph due to interchange issues. It is not unlikely to see 3 people pulled over in 2 miles. Having driven this for almost 10 years, I can truly say if you got pulled over in this area, you definitely deserve it.

Traffic is also light when I drive and I don't commute to a metropolitan area, road is only 2 lanes, people just pass on the left and press on. I'm not a hazard and would speed up if I had to.

 

[H2GURU]

Choosing to drive slower will become easier as more people adapt and you'll have less whizzers flying past you and it'll be safer. Con-Way, a giant trucking fleet ( non-union division of the defunct CF) anounced that their trucks are being cut from 65 down to 62. Doesn't sound like alot, but in a large truck it makes a huge difference. I think many fleets can do this with a few clicks at the computer? Another tactic employed for economy is 62 on foot throttle and 65 with cruise on to encourage more use.

 

[GMBoy]

Just remember to keep right when all you guys are slow poking around. That way everybody's happy.

 

[Gary Allan]

Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Rules to live by.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Almost all of the speed limits here at 70 except going through downtown Grand Rapids.. going 55 you'd get run over!

 

[Cutehumor]

someone will try to slow everyone else down by going 55 in the left lane. make them use less fuel. lol

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
someone will try to slow everyone else down by going 55 in the left lane. make them use less fuel. lol


It's been done... a few people with nerves of steel have created "rolling roadblocks" to point out how unfair/ hypocritical low speed limits are.

 

[Hermann]

My current speed on the urban interstates of KC is 65 MPH or so. Most Tacoma's speedos are VERY optomistic.I guess my real speed is 60-62 MPH, because people go by a lot faster than when I was going 65 in the old Accord, which I knew was dead on.

Many people still have not slowed at all. But every trip I take to the GF's, more folks are falling in line behind, or there are groups that now run about that speed in the slow lane. Slowing down does save fuei. If I can get 2 or more free MPG this way, it just means more beer money.

Make mine Red Stripe.

 

[Gary Allan]

I still see people going as fast as they used to. Just less of them. Optional driving has obviously been reduced.

 

[Buffman]

Originally Posted By: twentynine
Wasn't their something in the news recently, comgress wanting to pass the 55mph limit?


Not sure about Congress, but stupid Granhomo says she wants to.

I've commented on other forums, people are going to go as fast as they want no matter the speed limit. She thinks lowering the speed limit is going to save people all kinds of big $$$$. Give me a break.

My biggest hit to fuel economy is all the [censored] stops or potential stops and slow downs (cause the tracks are [censored]) or stops for railroad tracks (3) on my 25 mile trip to work everyday. Slowest speed during the trip is a 5 minute travel through a small city that US131 runs through @ 30mph. Rest is 45, (drive close to 50) and then 55mph (drive 60)

in my 91 Ranger (3.0L V6, 5spd, 3.45s out back) with 27" tall BFG all terrian T/As, and over 230K on the clock is getting around 22.5mpg right now. I made a trip to Detroit last year. On way back had 700lbs of engine parts in the bed. Speed was between 70-75mph on I-94. Still got 23.5mpg

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: twentynine
Wasn't their something in the news recently, comgress wanting to pass the 55mph limit?


That was Virginia Senator John Warner exhibiting a bit of dementia. Fortunately, he's retiring after this year.