55 and save
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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Stumble It!A couple of years ago, my husband and I started driving 55 mph for environmental reasons. We all know by now that dropping our driving speed from 70 to 55 mph lowers your fuel consumption 20 percent. At today’s gas prices, that is well more than 80 cents a gallon! So now, my husband and I drive 55 mph for financial reasons.
But, you ask, don’t you mind annoying those drivers who are doing the speed limit (plus)?
Excuse me, but I am annoyed by those squandering our limited gas supply. And those who limit our gas supply contribute to the high price of gas — and ultimately contribute to the rising cost of everything else!
What if every driver in the country dropped to 55 mph and lowered gas consumption nationwide 20 percent? Supply and demand. Time to demand that every driver does what they can to increase supply.
Help lower our dependence on foreign oil — patriots drive 55!
Community Discussion
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Hey Gina since when have we had a limited supply of gas? Better make sure your tires are properly inflated also dont forget one of them high cost high flow air filters they can increase your mpgs by three to four. News flash i have one it dont work. Not saying doing 55 dont. Keeps your windows up to less drag oh yeah make sure the trunk is emtpy. You wanna lower our dependence on foriegn oil drill in america and supply our selves and dont buy from them that will lower our dependence.
Not only dos it save gas, but even more importantly, it saves lives. Sen. John Warner, Rep. of Virginia is trying to get a national speed limit of 55 mph reintroduced. Back in 1974, he cites stats showing it saved 4000 lives per year on the highways. Since more vehicles are on the roads today, that number would be even higher. In addition to saving lives outright, accidents with injuries are fewer and the injuries are less--saving everyone money on insurance and medical care for the uninusred. Let your legislators know you support this--it's a smart move for several reasons.
OK, driving 55 mph is fine for local driving--I DO NOT WANT to drive 55 mph on a trip to Anchorage. Do the math. You can poke around town all you want. But when I travel, I want to move along, safely of course. Besides, why do we need the government to tell us what speed to go? I am not stopping YOU from driving 55. I see that 4,000 lives per year could be saved by motorcyclists just wearing a helmet... Go tell the next guy you see on a Harley to get his helmet on, and drive 55 while you are at it!
Actually it is sixty-five that saves gas in more vehicles than fifty-five. Vehicles are designed to operate optimally at a certain RPM, not speed. Auto manufacturers list maximum mileage based on RPM range which can be correlated to MPH by checking the gear ratio. If you are really interested in saving gas leave your car at home and choose a different form of tranportation. In the summer the cost savings could be significant since prices rise in the summer.
Ah yes, another misinformed individual spouting the propaganda of a president long passed, offering up a patriotic regurgitation of something outdated and inaccurate. If you want to rant and call us unpatriotic for going over 55, back it up.
I am having WAY to much posting today. Back in '74 I was but just a little tike of maybe 2. So I had to do some digging. 55 was a number that was picked at random. Goes good with the slogan "55 saves lives"
maybe back in 74 it was true slowing down most likely helped. In 34 years cars and roads have gotten so much better. My car gets much better gas mileage at 62mph than 55. So I guess I will be unpatriotic (sp) and get better fuel economy.
As for those patriots that do drive 55 please do so in the RIGHT hand lane. I saw a posted sign in Washington state. I loved it it say Drive right. Explained to my by a trooper ( I didnt get a ticket) It simply means unless you are passing stay in the right lane.
So Ms Soltis Thank you for your letter just dont get mad at me if I pass you on the Richardson Hwy on my way to my non-patriotic way to get to town
I don't think "55" is a magical number but I am very tired of listening to people who drive big gas hogs and go down the road like raped apes whine about how much money they're spending on gas. A woman in a huge (highly recognizable - I've seen the rig lots of times and the driving style is always the same) SUV blew by me on the Steese the other day - I was doing 65 and she passed me like I was in reverse - only to end up across the pump from me at Freddy's fuel station. And guess what? She was b*tching up a storm about how much it cost to fill her tank and how much fuel she uses! If she's reading this: that chortling sound on the other side of the pump was me, laughing at how damned STUPID some humans are. If you had any idea how dumb you sounded with those complaints you'd hide.
You gotta pay to play, and if you wanna play in a big tank that costs your first born's inheritance to fill up, and not even employ fuel-saving driving techniques, you're gonna pay a lot. It's pretty simple to figure out. If you can't figuire it out on your own, here are some tips you can follow to help improve the gas mileage in your car, truck, van or SUV. Or maybe you just don't want to save money.
1. Drive sensibly – fuel economy benefit: 5-33%. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
2. Observe the speed limit - fuel economy benefit: 7-23%. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph in almost all vehicles.
Funny thing, my vehicle recommends that 6th gear be used at speeds higher than 57. So, if I drive 55, I never get to use the most fuel efficient (long distance) gear at all...
And, I tried driving to Anchorage at 55. Then I drove back at 65-70. I noticed little to no difference in gas mileage. So, where EXACTLY did you find that all vehicles will save 20% if driven at 55 and not something higher?
Finally, there is no gas shortage. There is tons of speculation over this war for oil. That's what has caused the raise in prices, not us driving faster than the author of this letter is comfortable with...
3. Remove excess weight – 1 to 2% per 100 pounds removed. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
4. Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines.
5. Use cruise control. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
6. Use overdrive gears. When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
7. Keep your engine properly tuned. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
8. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
9. Check & replace air filters regularly. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
10. Keep tires properly inflated. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent just by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
11. Use the recommended grade of motor oil. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent.
12. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
13. Planning and combining trips. Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
14. With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You'll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
15. If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.
17. If you are in a job that is conducive to it, try lobbying your employer to allow telecommuting (working from home).
"Help lower our dependence on foreign oil---patriots drive 55!"
Very catchy. I prefer "Help lower our dependence on foreign oil---patriots want to develop our own resources."
"Excuse me, but I am annoyed by those squandering our limited gas supply." Besides your neighbors that disagree with you when you try to run their lives, do you mean the "limosine liberals" that drive gas guzzlers to "Green" events, and the "Lear Jet liberals", like Al Gore, that think nothing of flying a private jet to an event to tell us to conserve?
If you think I am exaggerating, watch closely the Democratic Convention coming up.
Gina is right, and I wish that the rest of America thought the same way. I also have slowed down. But surveys are showing that americans do not support a change in the speed limit to 55, not yet. So let's wait until a true shortage, with rationing, sky high prices, and all that goes along with it before we make any meaningful conservation choices. The country is pathetically marching forward with a consume all we can while we still have it mentality.
I recently bought a new compact cat that has an EPA mileage rating of 26 city and 34 highway, and by driving conservatively with an eye on saving fuel, including 55 MPH tops I got almost 47 MPG on an Anchorage trip. I average over 36.
55 saves gas no question about it, I don't care what kind of vehicle it is. People are in too much of a hurry these days anyway. The highways are crowded with rude drivers tailgating, wanting to go faster everywhere, I just smile and wave while they blast by using twice or more as much gas as I am.
I now drive 55 to save on gas. I raised my MPG from 23 to 29. People zoom past me like Im standing still.
You obviously haven't drivin anything of substantial quality or power? and whoever came up with the 55 speed limit, again, obviously wasn't able to drive a CROSSFIRE, MUSTANG, or a CORVETTE before making that determination!!!!!
Hey arcticracer,where does one get these compact cats?
Wonderful suggestions for those who want to "save" gas, or save money, which is much more pertinent for many.
Me? I'll drive whatever speed I want to (within legal and safety limits, of course). There is no gas shortage, and as long as I can afford how much gas I use, my speed, or gas usage, is none of your concern. I appreciate the attempt at parenting the rest of us though.
I just want to know why some out there drive 55 down College Road? For those who want to spend their money on gas, go ahead. Just stop asking the government to pay for it.
Alaska could have 50 cent cheaper gas is we refined our own crude instead of importing refined fuels. When you adjust for state taxes, Alaska prices in Anchorage and Fairbanks are 50 cents higher than the US average price. This is due largely to the fact that we do not have enough in-state refining capacity to meet our current demands. This sounds almost silly, but it is a fact that the largest oil producing state has to import gasoline and we are paying a high price for it.
Buy me a new car, then you can tell me how to drive it. While I pay my bill, however, keep your 55 in the lane to the far right and out of my way.
Gina,
Drive 55 in the right lane and don't impede traffic on two lane roads. My vw diesel gets over 50mpg at 70 mph.
The old federal 55 mph law was one of the stupidest laws of my lifetime. Some of the roads in Alaska still haven't been put to a higher normal speed. Such as: Steese from Farmers Loop to Pipeline viewpoint should be 65 limit. Richardson from Eielson to Fairbanks should also be 65. I believe it was 70 when first built as a four lane. On these two roads 65 is normal safe speed in good weather. The State wouldn't make as much ticket money with a better limit however.
This is another place where one group wants to force people to do what THEY think is right. Why 55? Why not 45?
I applaud you for doing whay you feel is right but do you want me to force you to do what I think is right on other areas?
Consider this, when you push your adgenda today you may be the one who gets pushed tomorrow.
I haven't filled my tank since February. I converted my car to run on the liberal BS flowing from these message boards/(Letters to Editor).
You can drive 55 all you want, just as long as you stay out of Sammy Hagar's way.
BTW, according to the Onion a while back, Sammy Hagar has discovered a second way to rock. Thought you'd all want to know.
Dr. C.
Thanks! Most of the commentary here illustrates PERFECTLY why I tell my loved ones to be careful out there...
what's the value of the time lost to productivity being in the car longer? also, i bought one of those very high mpg japanese import cars. it has better gas mileage than any american car that i know of. am i patriot for buying japanese? but after all that is said, this high gas mileage car is so light i'm afraid to take up much more than 60mph. it is just too light. so... forgive me guys if i'm on the parks and only doing 60. that as fast as i feel safe going in that thing. but hey... i fill it up for 40 bucks and i can get all the way to kenai from here on that.
Had to chime in again. Although i do agree with Gina some what that driving 55 does save gas to be honest i set the cruise at about 58 when i set at sixty i always seem to get a trooper flash his lights till i slow a bit no ticket or stop so its all good. It would not be very nice of us as a nation to save gas though then how would the chief of exxon collect his 21.7 million dollar salary or what about chevron chief and his 15.7 million. We save gas and it might take food off their table that wouldnt be nice. I know you get i am not being serious on that one. The powers that be projected that the usa would be down to 200,000 barrels of gas resevere but we are up at 900,000 barrels so we are not short we have actualy been using less sure dont see the price drop though oh yeah iran shot off a missile the price has to go up. I know that was i little of topic sorry back to one other point. I watched on the speed chanel that one of these top rated car magazines too a new truck and a midsize and a compact and had new air filters in each one and put fifteen gallons of regular gas in them and drove them and then did the same with a 25 then a 50 and a 75 percent blocked air filter and they claim that due to todays car the computer will adjust the amount of fuel for less air so they claim and their test show you will not lose a significant amount of mpg lose with a dirty air filter.
As long as you are in the right lane while you are driving your 55... and pulling over to let other go by when there are greater than 5 cars behind you... than you can go as slow as you would like... In addition, if you put nitrogen in your tires... you could be saving even more in gas... I think they are doing this at Mike's Cheveron...
I get tired of hearing how much money oil executives make. Dinging around the net, I discovered that our oh-so-important entertainers make damn-near the same amount for acting in films, professional athletes make bank, I didn't even want to look at band/songwriter incomes... Why is it okay for some to make millions, but not others? America has its priorities screwed up when we are willing to shell out dollar upon dollar to those who entertain us, while analyzing with great anger executives making money for the job they do. All the while folks, teachers make little, daycare providers make little... need I go on?
It seems to me that supply and demand works really well - in more than one market.
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2007/11/30/...
http://content.usatoday.com/sports/baske...
some folks just can't handle the idea that some have figured out how to become filthy rich. i don't ask why do they get to have all that when i don't? instead i ask, what do i have to do to get what they have? then i go look and i realize that i don't want to do what they do to get all they have. then i realize that i must be satisfied with what i have. and then i become satisfied with what they have.
Actually cars today aren't designed for high rates of speeds and neither are the tires. Remember when Firestone and Ford were having troubles with roll overs. The study showed it was due to high rates of speed.
Sorry I'm with the writer slow down. Leave earlier and you won't have to speed. And as far as how much time it takes to get to Anchorage, what you would spend on the fuel for your car, fly and rent a car.
We do have 2 airlines that fly there everyday.
Dana - you could become an actress with all your drama and make millions...
To quote another: Are you feeling like the pot or the kettle today, getreal?
I just threw the amount those people make in for amusment Dana i aint complaining i could care less what they make as for athletes and actors making the amount they make i think that is a joke too. I wish i could say i play a game for a living and make millions and am pampered like a little baby. But i dont. Sorry you didnt realize i was being a smart ass about thier salary and taking food off thier table i guess i should of said i was being a smart ass then you would not have tried to figure that out. I personaly think a cop or a fireman should be paid what an entertainer is after all they will put thier live on the line to save us instead of make a lousy movie or a crappy song.
Sorry I missed the smartassism, Tony08. Sometimes it gets lost in the translation for us actresses (even those of us who don't make millions)
;)
dana - I could be a millionare for all you know... and just think I didn't have to do anything for my money.
getreal - What does you being a millionaire have to do with the price of tea in China? If you are a millionaire, that money is yours and it should be? I'm afraid I don't get your point.
I think they should put helium in my tires then I can float to work. If I blow a tire we will all just go around sounding like Daffy Duck.
Dana I don't begrudge executives or hollywood their salaries as long as they treat their employees with respect. Just remember it's that secretary they keeps the exec's out of the woodshed.
And if it wasn't for that guy out in the shop you wouldn't have a business to be an exec at. And if he can't afford the fuel to get to work you're going to have to get some grease on your hands and do all the work yourself.
What oil has been conserved in the US in the past couple of months has just been swallowed up by China. It's a global market, so while our self imposed conservation may pay off in the long run, it will have no effect on the price of fuel. There are 2 things that we could do to effect the price of fuel. Drill, or walk.
Like most others, I've taken the actions to reduce fuel consumption. But I have no illusion that that will save the day.
Driving 55 is irrelevant. I echo the others in saying to do it if you like, but keep to the right, will ya? We got enough problems without more road rage.
Yep ride a bike and leave the speed limit alone!
Slow down and learn to drive or quit asking for government handouts. I get much better mileage from driving smart and maintaining my vehicle. I do agree with staying in the right hand lane as much as possible to let the folks that are in a hurry proceed.
I sure do get tired of folks asking for government assistance on one hand. And driving their SUV like an idiot on the other. Look in the mirror folks gas is not going to get cheaper and it is time to pay attention.
Pat
i drive slow but only because i like to go slow. when i want speed i get on my kawasaki.
Just think of all the fuel you would save if you shut off your computer. GVEA is watching.
Roads are engineered to speed. What this means is the curves are banked to keep you from flinging yourself off into the trees or across oncoming traffic. When conditions deteriorate, and you see a sign that says 'curve 45mph', its telling you that the bank of the road will keep you in your lane at 45, even if its black ice. Most of the highways in Alaska have been re-surfaced recently, and (with the exception of those yellow-signed curves) are banked for traffic travelling at 65 mph.
'nuff said.
storyteller- the tire episode with Ford was not because tires are not made for high speed it was becuase the speed rating given to the tires was "the bare minimum required by law" for the vehicles that they had been put on. If the speed rating needed to be at 94 mph (the speed set for cut out on most Ford vehicle governors) the tires that failed with Firestone where only rated to 90, or whatever. the point being that the tires where not rated to be on what they where used by Ford. As corporate mentality goes, they where trying to cut corners on cost by getting as close to the basic need that they under shot safety and got sued for it. It is not because the tires of today are not made for speed, you just need to purchase and use the right ones for the right car.
Go for it speed racers! Faster, faster! Make sure to travel alone so you can use the most fuel per person and try your best to intimidate small car owners as you tailgate and blow your loud exhaust all over your fellow man. And, when you can't afford to heat your mansions, put another 40 gallons in your SUV, and feed your kids because the whole world is in depression from the end of cheap oil I'm going to be less than willing to help your dumb selves out.
I haven't read so much BS in one of these comments sections in a while
What really bugs me is when I have to pass someone who is going slower then the posted speed limit and you can't get around these folks. If you want to go slower then the speed limit at least make it possible to pass you up without you causing an accident. To many times people just don't care about the drivers behind them. Driving for conditions is one thing, driving to just annoy is another. I wonder how many accidents are caused by drivers who take up the road by driving slow and not letting others going the speed limit to pass.
Your going 55 causes more gas consumption than someone going the speed limit. When other drivers have to slow down behind you then accelerate to pass this uses more gas. A consistant speed of 65 will save the same amount of gas if you are not slowing down and accelerating all the time. It is also safer with less passing.
"maybe back in 74 it was true slowing down most likely helped. In 34 years cars and roads have gotten so much better. My car gets much better gas mileage at 62mph than 55. So I guess I will be unpatriotic (sp) and get better fuel economy. "
dreamweavr~ Seriously, what kind of car do you drive!? Because if you actually beleive this statement to be true, I'm going to jump on that bandwagon and buy a car like yours! You've gotta be kidding me.
Driving slower definitely saves gas. And since there isn't a place around Fairbanks that has a 70mph speed limit, it saves you money on tickets too. Find your own way to conserve, a way that fits your lifestyle best.... driving 55 is not for everyone.... we will do what we have to do when our pennies are pinched.
This is why my next car will be a tank. That big gun on top will solve alot of problems. And no it's not road rage it is defensive driving.
Don't you know that's why all terrain tires are made. To help you get back out of the ditch after you're forced off the road.
Um. OK. This is for the folks who are sure their road hogs get better mileage at 65 or higher than at some lower speed.
Given that you're operating at some reasonable RPM for your engine:
faster = pushing more air out of the way every second/minute/hour = more work done every second/minute/hour = more gas.
Period.
Which doesn't mean that I'm any more patient than anyone else when I'm stuck behind someone whose idea of the right speed is lower than mine.
I have started using the cruise control in the old pickup, though, to keep the top end down. And no more roaring off from stop lights. Mileage, as the physical laws of the universe would dictate, has improved.
Personally, I find cruise control a bit dangerous on wet or icy roads. Them tires go like crazy when they get a grip on the road surface. But, hey, if it makes you feel like you're doing your part for the planet, have at it.
Haven't seen much ice in the past couple months, myself.
My part for the planet?
I'm doing my part for the longest period of time between $70 fill-ups.
Anyway, it keeps me near the speed limit when my foot wants to join everyone else at 10-15 over on the local two-lanes. I figure I might save some coin with the mounties, too.
I love the idea of a nationally instituted regulations. To assist in patriotic duties, I reccommend that our Federal lawmakers immediately institute the following policies at a national level to assure the reduction of fuel and resource consumption:
1. All workers should be taxed an additional $15/mo per 10 miles they live from their place of work. (First 10 miles are free, those that can show documentation of carpooling or public transportation use get 20 miles free)
2. An annual census of weight shall be mandatory, all adults over 200 lbs shall be charged $0.379 per ounce over 200 lbs. At 300 lbs the marginal rate shall be $0.479, and at 400 lbs the marginal rate shall be $0.591.
Children shall pay a prorated rate based on the marginal steps, i.e. a 9 year old must weigh less than 100 lbs (9yrs/18-age of majority) * 200 lbs, the other brakets shall be prorated similarly.
3. AND FOR ALL YOU FAIRBANKSIANS...
A federal mandated heating fuel reduction.
Anyone that uses more than 300 gallons of heating fuel shall be charged $175 federal tax per 250 gallons ove the first 300.
Please let me know if you also agree that we should put our hands in the regulations of our federal authorities.
IF YOU DISAGREE YOU ARE UNPATRIOTIC...ALL PATRIOTS AGREE THAT GIVING UP CONTROL TO THE FEDS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO...TRUST YOUR GOVERNMENT!
LOL gmnorthey I just fell out of my chair. I guess that makes me an unpatriot. ;)
The late George Carlin once said something to the effect of "did you ever notice when you're driving that anyone going slower than you must be someone's grandma, and anyone going faster than you is a flippin' maniac?" In my several decades of driving, it's never ceased to amaze me how true this is.
I read somewhere that roughly ninety percent of all drivers consider themselves better than average. Statistically, that's just not possible. So all you people get off the road, because I drive better than any of you!
(BTW, Carlin didn't say "flippin' maniac," but in the interest of not having this comment pulled...)
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN ARE DUMB REDNECKS???? 55 is good but not driving an oversized piece of junk is even better. If you STILL drive ANY SUV and you are not hauling to the slope you are an infant and need to have it taken away from you. This is not a matter of choice, it is a matter of IQ!!!! SHAME on all of you SUV monkeys!!!! Please do not breed!!!!
well, not agreeing with you happily IS a matter of choice! My vehicle may be big, but it is paid for!
Which business do you own/manage, brainminers?
If you would like for the government to take stuff away from idiots, there are actually places where this can happen. Please move to a country with a comunist regime. Oh...wait, is it the case the countries like China are having to move to a more capitalist system because controling all aspects of life isn't working out.
I think it would be silly to buy a new SUV unless you were planning on using it as an SUV and not just commuting back and forth, but let's say you just need to use an SUV a quarter of the time. Think of the cost of having a separate vehicle with insurance, repairs, summer and winter tire sets, tune ups, etc., and the lowest cost (as it seems) the payments. It might just be the case that most people can only afford an SUV and not an extra economy car.
FYI...for those that wonder...I ride the bus. But I support free markets.
After reading all of the comments on this topic, I'm starting to get chills. Has anyone on here read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury? I'm beginning to think most of you have not or you wouldn’t be speaking so ignorantly. With such things said like, "The old federal 55 mph law was one of the stupidest laws of my lifetime", and "You obviously haven't driven anything of substantial quality or power? and whoever came up with the 55 speed limit, again, obviously wasn't able to drive a CROSSFIRE, MUSTANG, or a CORVETTE before making that determination!!!!!", not to mention "Another clueless liberal who has no idea that different cars have different sweet spots.", it reminds me of the backwards thinking that Bradbury wrote about. People became so ignorant that burning books was what the fire dept was for (heaven forbid for knowledge) and billboards were 200 feet long so the people could read them since they had to drive 100+ because patient was no longer a virtue. Frightening to think this town could turn out that way...
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