On most trips it would be only a few minutes longer. I did this and saved 10% from my 75MPH days.
2007-05-25 06:56:31 · 18 answers · asked by hemorreilly 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
55 saves a lot of fuel (20%, for me, that's like 70 cents a gallon cheaper gas) but it doesn't save lives. In the early months of 55 there was a "blip" in the statistics that made it seem like it did, but if you research the highway fatalities vs. number of passenger-miles traveled, year by year, the number is declining, and the trend totally ignored the 55 limit.
Yes different vehicles* have different "sweet spots" where they get the best fuel economy, but they're all in the 40-60 range. NONE are above 60 mph because aerodynamic drag becomes overwhelming... just stick your hand out the window, it's quite apparent. You might be able to build a car whose sweet spot was 75, but it would have to be extremely optimized for aerodynamic drag, so it'd be shaped like an airplane, rounded nose and tapered tail.
* or even the same vehicle with different gearing or engine
2007-05-25 09:31:40 · answer #1 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many of the interstates have a minimum speed of 40 MPH. This is primarily to keep the traffic flowing rather than conservation or safety. If you have nowhere special to go or get to drive in the range which will give you the best mileage, no jackrabbit starts, only moderate acceleration and less braking than normal.
2016-05-17 21:22:45 · answer #2 · answered by stephaine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I drive between 60 - 65. I recaall the Carter era gas crunch. I know pushing block of metal and glass thru the air gets harder as you go faster. I like going fast but know I only do it 1/4 mile at a time ;).
2007-05-25 10:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by Tim M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u would save more by driving the recommended speed limit,,,safty isnt the only reason the speeds laws r set.U can check out a goverment site about that,,but yes the slower the less gas u will use,,I had a car when u stomped the gas,,the gas hand would fall...
2007-05-25 07:02:17 · answer #4 · answered by donttrustsnowmen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back in the Carter Era they mandated the national speed limit to 55mph to save fuel.
Not only did it save fuel but it saved lives because slower speeds are safer to drive at on the highway.
Also the 55mph speed limit made lots of money for state goverments in speeding fines.
I do drive slower to save gas since I am old enough to have seen how driving slower saves on fuel.
2007-05-25 07:02:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. My time is actually more valuable than the gas I would save. If I stayed at work and did overtime, then drove home faster, I'd come out ahead.
Do the math and see if what you're doing makes sense.
2007-05-25 11:34:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I will soon be using an alternative to gasoline anyway so I won't have to slow down at all. The rest of you gasoline using suckers better stay in the right lane too with your under 60mph speeds.
2007-05-25 18:19:44 · answer #7 · answered by broham85 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No....Contrary to what the public is being told every vehicle has it's ultimate cruising speed. I get the best gas milage cruising between 75, & 80.
Our lawmakers have to get off their butts, & do something about the high gas prices instead of telling lies, & giving excuses.......
2007-05-25 07:41:36 · answer #8 · answered by Mike S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never happen .
This is America where we are all arrogant at times.
Want to get there fast and do what needs to be done.
Want to get home fast and do what is necessary.
Sorry to say all of us will continue to pay the prices.
Will not change any habits.
But give me a Ba please
2007-05-25 14:07:26 · answer #9 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't drive faster than the law allows and the speed Of traffic. I would be afraid getting ticket!
2007-05-25 07:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by r_teplitz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋