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The best way to get people to slow down would be to require auto makers attach a big knife to the center of the steering wheel with the point facing the driver.

Gas was $1.339/ litre today (Or $5.069/ US gallon)

Blimey thats a little over half the price we pay over the pond. seems you guys'n'gals are catching us up

proof that going slower isnt gonna necessarily give you better gas mileage. Went on a 490mile trip one way (so total of 980 miles). I drove 75-80 most of the way down. used 3/4 tank of gas. Wife drove home and did 60-65 way home (took forever to get home 2). We had to fill up about 40 miles from home. So proof that going slower doesnt mean better gas mileage.

With that said what really sucked is I paid $3.45/gallon in Kentucky when I got there. it was $3.89/gallon when I got back to michigan =[. 40 cents/gallon difference 8 hours away. (it was $3.86 when I left michigan).

ofblong wrote:proof that going slower isnt gonna necessarily give you better gas mileage. Went on a 490mile trip one way (so total of 980 miles). I drove 75-80 most of the way down. used 3/4 tank of gas. Wife drove home and did 60-65 way home (took forever to get home 2). We had to fill up about 40 miles from home. So proof that going slower doesnt mean better gas mileage.

Well, there are other factors involved. Wind is a major factor, as is the slope. I would venture a guess at least one of those was a factor in your trip, because you shouldn't get better mileage by going faster.

Once you get above 30 mph or so, a large percentage of the engine's power output is used to overcome aerodynamic drag. It can be a significant amount as speeds get higher. Drag increases as the square of the speed (2 times the speed requires 4 times the HP). Since HP output has a linear relationship to fuel consumption, its a pretty safe bet to assume that higher speeds will burn more fuel per mile.

Driving into a 25 mph headwind at 60 mph, you will burn the same amount of fuel as if you were driving at 85 mph in calm conditions. Conversely, a 25 mph tailwind will lower your fuel consumption to what you'd normally get driving 45 mph.

flynrider wrote:

ofblong wrote:proof that going slower isnt gonna necessarily give you better gas mileage. Went on a 490mile trip one way (so total of 980 miles). I drove 75-80 most of the way down. used 3/4 tank of gas. Wife drove home and did 60-65 way home (took forever to get home 2). We had to fill up about 40 miles from home. So proof that going slower doesnt mean better gas mileage.

Well, there are other factors involved. Wind is a major factor, as is the slope. I would venture a guess at least one of those was a factor in your trip, because you shouldn't get better mileage by going faster.

Once you get above 30 mph or so, a large percentage of the engine's power output is used to overcome aerodynamic drag. It can be a significant amount as speeds get higher. Drag increases as the square of the speed (2 times the speed requires 4 times the HP). Since HP output has a linear relationship to fuel consumption, its a pretty safe bet to assume that higher speeds will burn more fuel per mile.

Driving into a 25 mph headwind at 60 mph, you will burn the same amount of fuel as if you were driving at 85 mph in calm conditions. Conversely, a 25 mph tailwind will lower your fuel consumption to what you'd normally get driving 45 mph.

lol you just proved my point that going slower doesnt mean your going to get better gas mileage.

ofblong wrote: lol you just proved my point that going slower doesnt mean your going to get better gas mileage.

Not sure how I did that. Going slower will always give you better gas mileage (all other factors being equal).

flynrider wrote:

ofblong wrote: lol you just proved my point that going slower doesnt mean your going to get better gas mileage.

Not sure how I did that. Going slower will always give you better gas mileage (all other factors being equal).

you know I reread what you posted and I dont know how you did either. I was exhausted yesterday so not sure what I was thinking. Either way slower does not mean better gas mileage. I mean you telling me that idling down the highway is giving you better gas mileage???? no you arent getting better gas mileage actually worse mileage. Again some vehicles get their best mileage at 73mph others 48 (which a government study of 16 vehicles showed that the avg between all was 48 now some where higher some lower). It depends on many factors. I mean you take a mini van with the same engine as a ford taurus and that ford taurus will get the best gas mileage at a higher speed than the min van will. I have tested this on my mini van and at 30mph I get 15mpg. at 60mph I get 28mpg and at 90mph I get 13mpg. So just because you are going 30mph doesnt mean your getting the best gas mileage for your vehicle. Oh and yes I did this in non stop and go traffic.

Gas prices now are off the roof.
I almost got broke because of the rising prices of gas.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

OPEC sells oil for $136.00 a barrel.

OPEC nations buy Canadian grain at $7.00 a bushel.

Solution: Sell grain for $136.00 a bushel.

Can't buy it? Tough! Eat your oil!

Ought to go well with a nice thick grilled filet of camel butt!!!