Slow Down – Save Gas! « Honjii's Harangues

Slow Down – Save Gas!

June 12, 2008 at 1:13 am | Posted in Consumer Issues, Current Events | 4 Comments
Tags: bumper stickers, driving slower to save gas, oil, rising oil prices, save gas

Since the price of gas has been rising I’ve changed my driving habits by driving less, driving slower, accelerating slower, and coasting longer distances when approaching a stop sign or red light. I found that by just doing these things I have gotten more miles to a tank of gas and it doesn’t make a significant difference in the amount of time needed to get from point A to point B.

I’ve read a few articles, and heard a few experts recommend the same. Unfortunately not everyone got the memo and I hate getting tailgated by those folks (which happens even if you are exceeding the speed limit). My boyfriend found this great (I think) bumper sticker, that will hopefully send the message to the tailgaters) and bought one for both of us. Normally I will NOT put a bumper sticker on my car because it ruins the finish and you can’t get them off, but this one actually peels right off, you can put it on and take it off and move it if you want. If you’re interested they’re very cheap and you can find them here.

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Honjii, Driving slower is good for some vehicles. You actually have to know the more fuel efficient speed for your car or truck. 45 years ago the rule was 45 mph was the best mileage. But that goes mostly for Detroit cars.

And not all Detroit cars today are really Detroit cars. I have Ford Escort Wagon that drives – and peaks mileage at 65 mph – like a Toyota. Driving slower that 65, where the speed limit allows, actually wastes significant gas.

The best mileage I ever got on my old Ford F-250 pickup, was pulling a heavily loaded trailer on Interstate 35, at 70 mph. This was one of the trucks Ford assembled in Canada, not Detroit. My usual 12-13 mpg in town was often 14-16 on the road. On that one trip I made 17 mpg, pulling 8,000 or 9,000 lbs.

My neighbor’s F-350 is kind of similar. His gets better fuel efficiency driving 55 when he can, than 40-45, for in-town driving.

And check the air in your tires, check air filters regularly, yada, yada.

For the tail gaiters, the best advice I ever heard was from my Uncle, a US Army Warrant Officer about 1964 – slow down. If the tail gaiter is going to hit you, the slower you are going, the less seriously you risk getting injured. Plus, slowing makes passing you easier. Very few people that will assault another with a vehicle – threaten them by violating the laws about minimum following distance – will be happy if you drive faster, no matter how fast you drive. If someone behind you wants to go faster, that is their choice, and not your responsibility to teach, tease, or scare them. If there is an irritated driver on the road, they are more dangerous than other drivers. If there is an irritated driver behind you, you desperately want them to pass, and take their troubles down the road rather than involving you in any mistake they might make.

Lastly, if the road racer behind you wants to run up the road and shake out any watching patrol cars – bless him and send him on his way! Ease off on the speed, slow a bit, edge to the right of the lane if necessary to invite the tail gaiter to pass you, safely.

Comment by Brad K.— June 12, 2008 #

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slow down. If the tail gaiter is going to hit you, the slower you are going, the less seriously you risk getting injured

Brad, I heard that exact advice a long time ago, and I have always followed it.

Comment by honjii— June 12, 2008 #

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I’ve even started taking advantage of public transportation, although the higher the gas prices the more our city seems to cut the bus routes.

(off topic – check out this post Christian Service sends your loved ones email after your dead

i thought of your laughter!

Comment by coffeestainednews— June 12, 2008 #

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I’m happy to report I took my new bumper sticker out for a test drive today and my driving experience was very different than usual. Much to my surprise, everywhere I went, people behind me slowed down.

Comment by honjii— June 13, 2008 #

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