60 mph - how do you do it?

[McPatrick]

I'm considering lowering my spead to 60 mph, but I will admit that it is already a challenge driving 65 mph, so I was wondering how other people do it. Some music might help, but then again sometimes it works the opposite and instead stimulates me to go faster :)

[CO ZX2]

Rather than making myself comfortable, I think of staying out of others' way as much as possible. I look in my mirrors as much as out the windshield. A SuperMid would keep your mind on FE.

60 should not be a big problem, some here go a lot slower than that.

How far do you drive each day? Where are you located?

[northboundtrain]

Get a volkswagen naturally aspirated diesel :D

[s2man]

Get a ScanGuage and keep an eye on Throttle Position, Gallons per Hour, or Instantaneous MPG. That should give you incentive to let off the throttle. And, it will also make you want to coast further and more often . It did for me :-)

BTW, I was behind a guy in a Prius the other day, and boy was he driving like a jerk. Going slow and coasting; he must have been going for FE. LOL. I guess I've got a ways to go in my driving habits to reach my car's potential. But I hate do that during rush-hour traffic. :-S

[DaX]

Lowering your speed takes great effort. Getting used to people riding your bumper and passing you was the hardest part for me to get over.

[jwxr7]

Yeah, it takes willpower to go slower than the flow. I go 55 in a 70 for part of my commute, but it's usually not too busy. Gotta watch the mirrors like they said.

Get a volkswagen naturally aspirated diesel :D
wow! a car with less horsepower than mine :D . Probably has alote more torque than mine though.

[MnFocus]

Rather than making myself comfortable, I think of staying out of others' way as much as possible. I look in my mirrors as much as out the windshield. A SuperMid would keep your mind on FE.
60 should not be a big problem, some here go a lot slower than that.

How far do you drive each day? Where are you located?

Exactly ! FE is a concentration game for me , avoidance as well as politeness are part of that game . For semi's I try to give a 1/4 mile notice of my slower speed with the E-flashers (as well as headlights when they are clear to return to the slow lane ) . They seem to appreciate it A LOT .

The ScanGauge really helps with instant feedback as well as 'rewards' ( SuperMid would of course be same/same ) .
60!?? would seem like warp speed for me LOL :p My daily avg speed is 48 ! I haven't been over 57 in weeks !!


DaX ...do you *ever* really get over it ? I haven't yet and it really irks me - especially when the left lane is clear for miles !

[McPatrick]

Yeah, especially with trucks passing you. It's almost like I need an excuse and tell others it's not because I feel like 90 years old :)
mnaybe I should make a sticker saying something like 'going 60 mpg" or something :)
That Scangauge i read a lot about, but one of the reasons for buying the VX is out of economic reasons as well, and I am not sure how much a Scangauge is but I am sure I could buy quite some gallons of gas for that.

My wife will start driving it to work once the AC is fixed and she drives about 40 miles a day. I will drive it myself taking longer trips like the one thonight going up to Michigan where we unfortunately own a house that just doesn't sell and which I am fixing up. All in all I think my wife will put around 10K a year on it and myself, with family trips and such included, another 10K.

[Fuzzy5150]

I use to really sweat it when someone rode my tail......now, if I'm not changing lanes or merging, I don't look in the mirror at all. I run 55-58 on a 65 and 70 mpg divided highway.

It is my little 'head game' with myself.

[bbgobie]

Eye on the scangauge, and looking for the next great draft.
Its not as hard as I thought it would be.

[brucepick]

I've gotten used to having FE as a priority. Too bad for them if they think I should be going faster. I got honked at two days in a row this week but I didn't respond in any way. If they can't see the "MPG" sticker on my back window and figure it out that's just tooooo baaad.

I'll go faster when they buy my gas. OK, that's a quote from a FE message board post. That's how I feel though.

[DaX]

DaX ...do you *ever* really get over it ? I haven't yet and it really irks me - especially when the left lane is clear for miles !

It's a constant struggle. I've recently taken on the tactic of sitting more forward when I see a car approaching rapidly. This way I don't see them in the mirror, therefore they are not there and I can continue saving gas! :)

[Sigifrith]

...That Scangauge i read a lot about, but one of the reasons for buying the VX is out of economic reasons as well, and I am not sure how much a Scangauge is but I am sure I could buy quite some gallons of gas for that....

A Scangauge won't work on your VX. You'll need a SuperMID. http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=3953

I'm waiting till the new one arrives with a MPG display.

[McPatrick]

I just spent some time looking for bumper stickers that will let my fellow road user know "what the heck he's doing driving THAT slow".

I found this one:

http://jitcrunch.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazo5MF9GLmpwZ3x sb2FkPUwwLGh0dHA6Ly9pbWFnZXMuY2FmZXByZXNzLmNvbS9pb WFnZS8xNDQ5MDEzNV80MDB4NDAwLmpwZ3x8c2NhbGU9TDAsNDA wLDEyMCxXaGl0ZXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFkZCw0MCwxO DB8bG9hZD1tYXNrLGJsYW5rOjkwX0ZfbWFzay5qcGd8Y29tcG9 zZT1ibGFuayxtYXNrLE1hc2ssMCwwfGNwPXJlc3VsdCxibGFua 3xzY2FsZT1yZXN1bHQsMCw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcHJlc3Npb24 9OTV8

And there are more here:

http://www.cafepress.com/peacetrain/1780576

Anybody know of more cool bumper stickers, beside the one from Gassavers.org of course ? :)

[omgwtfbyobbq]

I'll go faster when they buy my gas. OK, that's a quote from a FE message board post. That's how I feel though.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[ffvben]

i don't use cruise control because i don't have any ... but keeping your foot on the gas, making adjustments keeps me alert more constantly watching speedo. I'd probably fall asleep if cruise was on, i wish they made auto pilot.

[white90crxhf]

it's pretty easy... @ 65 my rpm's are roughly 3000, my redline is 5000. i hate going over 65 because my engine has so many miles(303,7xx). I think i'm going to kill it and be tempted to replace it with an D16A6. :)

[kickflipjr]

You just need to get in the habit of driving at slow speed. It takes some time to adjust. Remember to look in you rearveiw mirror more.

[Rick Rae]

Gotta watch the mirrors like they said.
Okay, and what do you do when you see something in the rearview? DaX, I see your tactic is to stop looking :D and MnFocus uses emergency flashers for a heads-up. What do others do?

It seems to me the risk's the worst in light traffic. During the morning commute there's always cars behind me swinging left to pass, so the folks behind them get a warning that something ahead is moving more slowly than the pack. But when the highway's lightly loaded, someone who's not paying attention can be on top of you before they know it.

MnFocus, I'm with you on the politeness thing. If there's not a lot of traffic and I see someone coming in plenty of time, I'll go into a gentle pulse so I'm not as much below the posted limit by the time they catch me, then I'll glide after they pass. I've also tried the ridge-riding thing as a visual cue. In heavy traffic I've been caving and picking up my pace to a little under the speed limit. (Maybe as I build my nerve, or get more cynical, or gas prices continue to climb I won't do that as much :) but I'm still new to all this -- I've been a "speed limit plus five" driver for as long as I can remember.)

Let's hear methods from the rest of you, please.

Rick

P.S...

...I am not sure how much a Scangauge is but I am sure I could buy quite some gallons of gas for that.
With gas prices what they are, not as many as you might think. :p

[96hb]

You just have to force yourself to do it. No other way really. It is hard sometimes but when you fill up and see how many more mpg's you just got, that makes it worth it. I'm not like most of these guys though. I never drive that much below the speed limit on an interstate. I do 55-60 (speed limit 55) and just try to cruise at a steady speed. Some people pass me, some follow behind. I'm just trying to drive more sensibly. I'm not as into it as some of the others here, but I have made great increases in FE. I went from 38-40mpg to now getting 47-50mpg. Pretty good for just slowing down a little on my commute and airing up the tires. :thumbup:

[jwxr7]

Okay, and what do you do when you see something in the rearview? I make sure they are paying attention due to the speed diff. If they don't look like they are going to go around early, then I ridge ride and make sure my LED markers are on so they don't run into me. It's better to know what is happening behind you with that kind of speed difference especially since my car only weighs about 1600 lbs :eek: .

[brucepick]

Hazard flashers work well for people following too closely.

Or add some rear fog lights. That's what I have on the Volvo; I use them to give a heads up to people behind me.

They are red taillights, but have the brightness of brake lights, using the high-wattage filament in an 1157 bulb. In fog you can be seen from a greater distance. In daytime I normally drive with all lights off but the fogs are set in "on" position so as soon as I activate the headlights the taillights + "rear fogs" come on all at the same time. Usually this makes close followers back off quickly.

In the past I would let them see my brake lights work if the above didn't do the trick. Now of course I avoid using the brakes... I did use them yesterday though, on a newish van that was about 6'-8' from my bumper. For some reason he backed off quickly and then passed me....

[Bill in Houston]

A bumper sticker saying "Driving 60 mph in support of our troops" should keep anyone from getting too angry. Cutting our dependence on oil will help keep our men in uniform at home a lot more in coming years.

I look out the side windows more and enjoy the scenery. No sense looking at the guy behind me. That might make me mad and feed into a road rage kind of thing.

[jwxr7]

Once I know a car realizes how slow I'm going I pretty much ignore them and relax. They can follow me close as long as it's not dangerously close, it may help reduce drag on my car :D .

[bbgobie]

When SUV's start tailgating me I smile knowing I'm helping them save some gas
:D

Its not a problem if your in the right lane. Now if your doing the limit in the far left, different story.

[psyshack]

Just drive your game. I run 50 to 60 on 65 and 70 mph hwys all the time. They dont like,,, tuffy toe nails. I really dont care. They get to close to my bumper tail grabing. The last thing they might see before the steering wheel hits them in the face is my brake lights.

Ive also started reporting folks that road rage, use hand signals, tailgate, and such. It is against the law here and the Troopers want to know about it. We have min and max limits here. If you are between them the pissed off one has no case.

So drive your game. Dont worry about the so called normal folks.... LMAO,,, I even pick up slow travelers like myself.

psy

[ma4t]

Let's say a car is behind you and it's getting too close. Pretend you're going to change lanes. They will speed up and drive past you. It's a psychological game.

It's the same as when I want to change lanes. I turn on my blinker. The person in the other lane will almost inevitably speed up. That's when I slow down and enjoy a wide-open lane to change into.

Spot the drivers who have less than average manners or intelligence (usually the same drivers). They are the easisest to control because they have tunnel vision and everything is a race to them. The best thing is, they even think they are winning. But I'm still getting them off my tail or getting them to clear a space so I can change lanes.

I just laugh and tell my wife, "It's like I have a remote control or something."

m

[ma4t]

When SUV's start tailgating me I smile knowing I'm helping them save some gas
:D

Its not a problem if your in the right lane. Now if your doing the limit in the far left, different story.
You can always give them some free wiper fluid!

m

[Peakster]

I have to admit that doing 50mph on long trips is hard. Doing that speed in the city is easy because the freeway is only about 7 miles long anyway.

[basjoos]

My car is visually startling enough when seen from behind, that drivers coming up behind are already alert by the time they reach me. My main problem is the person sitting in the passing lane next to me while they are checking out my car while traffic continues to pile up behind them. Even worse is the guy who comes flying past me, then slows down until I pass them so they can have a double take, and then sits there inspecting my car. Boy, does this type of behavior piss off the people behind them, but they have never taken it out on me. I haven't had a case of road rage since I extreme aero-modded my car. Then again, I'm usually going at or above the speed limit except on the uphill climbs, where I'll usually be at to 5mph below the posted speed limit.

[slurp812]

I'm considering lowering my speed to 60 mph, but I will admit that it is already a challenge driving 65 mph, so I was wondering how other people do it. Some music might help, but then again sometimes it works the opposite and instead stimulates me to go faster :)

I use cruise control on the freeway, and don't look in the rear view. The freeways I travel are mostly 3 lanes, so they have room to pass. Since I started this hypermiler thing, I always do 60, unless I get a good draft, or I am on the turnpike. The freeways here are 65 on the open road, and 60 in town, with trucks 55. On the turnpike, its 65 for everyone, so I do 65, and try to draft. But my rule has been 60mph max. Oh and the "GasSavers.org sticker helps, well it helps me anyways...

[MnFocus]

My car is visually startling enough ... I haven't had a case of road rage since I extreme aero-modded my car.

No offense but they probably think you are driving an alien space pod and are the way back for reinforcements ...;) :p

[slurp812]

I use to really sweat it when someone rode my tail......now, if I'm not changing lanes or merging, I don't look in the mirror at all. I run 55-58 on a 65 and 70 mpg divided highway.

It is my little 'head game' with myself.

YEA! f-em I say. I just try not to look. especially if I'm doing the limit. It don't take much for any vehicle to slow from 75 to 60. If they cant deal with it, they shouldn't be paid to drive, and the rest are just motorists like me, with even an SUV 75 to 60 is a .5 second brake tap. Yes at first it "felt" really weird. but then I saw MAJOR FE improvements, and to me its worth it...

[88HF]

Get a volkswagen naturally aspirated diesel :D

except TurboDiesels can get way better mileage because diesel can run so lean.

[DracoFelis]

Some of the tuning of my CRX (good synthetic lubes, indexed spark plugs, greased wheel barrings, etc.) have not only helped FE some, but have also resulted in even less pedal pressure (then before) to maintain a given speed. As a result, it now requires a real light touch to keep a slower speed (even 60), as so much of the (potential) pedal movement is no longer routinely used!

For the time being, I just have to "force myself" to have a very light touch on the pedal (and if I'm extremely careful, I can actually get down to 25MPH or less in 5th gear, but it requires the lightest of touches/taps to do it), but in the future I plan to make these mods to help things:

1) Modify the tension on the throttle cable (which in my case will require re-stringing the entire cable, as some previous mechanic added in "spacers" on the cable before I got the car), so you need a little more foot movement (then previously) to keep the slower throttle positions I'm now routinely using. This should hopefully make it harder to accidentally press "too hard", by requiring a little more foot movement before the first throttle responses occur.

2) IMHO one of the easiest ways to keep a slow steady speed, is to use a "cruse control". I know this, as I've driving other cars (including my wife's Civic) with cruse controls, and it's really easy to set a speed (even a slow speed), and then just worry about pointing the car where you want it to go! And since my (stick-shift) CRX (which now has over 280,000 miles on it) didn't come with a cruse, I've often found myself missing that option (especially on long trips). However, you can still get (generic) after-market cruse control kits (even for manual shift cars, such as mine), so you always have the option of adding in a cruse control (for the roughly $200 + installation the kits will run you). And in my case, I finally decided it was "worth it" to me to have that option on my CRX, so I recently instructed my mechanic that I would pay him to buy and install a cruse control (he has bought the cruse control, but he hasn't yet installed it, likely soon).

NOTE: A cruse control on a stick shift obviously can't change gears for you. However, the cruse can handle the throttle as long as you stay in the current gear (often you would want to be in "high gear" when you engage the cruse on a stick shift). Furthermore, a cruse on a stick shift varies slightly from a automatic, in that the (properly installed) manual transmission cruse will automatically disengage when you press on the brake pedal OR the clutch (whereas in the automatic you don't have a clutch, so only the brake pedal does the automatic disengage).

3) While discussing cruse controls (and fuel economy) with my mechanic, the point that constant throttle pressure (what used to be known as a "throttle lock") is often (in many driving situations) even better for fuel economy than a traditional "cruse control" (which maintains a constant speed, by varying the throttle pressure) came up. It was at that point, that I mentioned a hack that a fellow gassavers forum member made, whereby they added a power switch to the servo motor in their cruse. This (apparently very simple) mod allows you to take a normal (constant speed, but variable throttle) cruse control, and convert it (at the flip of a switch) into a (constant throttle, but speed may "drift") "throttle lock" (and back again, as needs arise). And in either mode, the original "safety features" (of automatically disengaging the cruse control when you step on a pedal) are fully retained! Once my mechanic heard about that mod (and how it worked), he thought the idea was fantastic! So we plan to also add in this "cruse control to throttle lock" switch to the cruse control we put on my car (so I can choose either operating mode whenever I wish, even switching modes while driving down the road)!

NOTE: If you are really cheap, there are mechanical "throttle locks" on the market for much cheaper than full cruse controls (some mechanical options costing $40 or less). However, the reason I finally decided to go with the cruse (with the "throttle lock switch" hack), instead of one of the mechanical options, is that the cruse/hack combo gives me both options, and retains the full (automatic cutoff when a pedal is used) features of modern cruse controls. So I really get pretty much the best of all worlds this way, except for the initially higher cost of this option.

And remember, in either mode (normal "cruse control" mode or hacked "throttle lock" mode) my cruse control (once it's installed, which will hopefully be "soon") will do the work of maintaining a slower speed (if that's what I want), instead of me having to force my foot back when my foot naturally wants to step harder. So I should be able to "relax" (with my foot off the gas pedal) and just make sure the car is pointed where I want it to go...

[minic6]

Can't agree enough on MI drivers. Cruising 55 in the right lane with two other lanes of traffic passing me. A Lady driver swung all the way from the left to the right, at high speed. Right on to my tail slammed on the brakes banging her hands on the steering wheel, yelling not so nice things at ME. What did I do, I was in the correct lane minding my own business. What did she think I was doing passing everyone else? I've actually had people pass me on the median! Then they flip you off like your at fault?
As to your ? I've been at this a couple of years now like 7 and you just get use to driving slower. Check out the deer and other wildlife arrive in a good mood for a change.

[tjts1]

I don't know how you people do it. I have a 400 mile drive from SF to LA for 4th of July. At 60mph it would 6 hours and 30 minutes. At 80mph (normal speed on i5) 5 hours flat. Thats an extra 3 hours on the road for the round trip. My time is more valuable than the gas I would save.

I don't mind other people driving below the speed limit as long as they don't do it in the left lane. If you drive more than about 5mph below the limit or if semi trucks are passing you the CHP will pull you over. I've seen it happen more than once. At some point you become a hazard to other road users.

[Bill in Houston]

I don't know how you people do it. I have a 400 mile drive from SF to LA for 4th of July. At 60mph it would 6 hours and 30 minutes. At 80mph (normal speed on i5) 5 hours flat. Thats an extra 3 hours on the road for the round trip. My time is more valuable than the gas I would save.Ya, I guess it comes down to ones priorities. I think I could get 30 mpg at 55, but can't bring myself to go that slow for a whole tank. When I am on the interstate, I just want to get where I'm going. So I have started using the old US highways and enjoying the trip a little more. If we all do what we can stand to do, it will make a difference.

[minic6]

Driving a long distance is one thing. I drive 70 most of the time in the Buick. My commute on the other hand only adds a very few minutes, and saves a ton of fuel. 70 to 60 was good for 4mpg.

[jwxr7]

My car is visually startling enough when seen from behind, that drivers coming up behind are already alert by the time they reach me. My main problem is the person sitting in the passing lane next to me while they are checking out my car while traffic continues to pile up behind them. Even worse is the guy who comes flying past me, then slows down until I pass them so they can have a double take, and then sits there inspecting my car. Boy, does this type of behavior piss off the people behind them, but they have never taken it out on me. I haven't had a case of road rage since I extreme aero-modded my car. Then again, I'm usually going at or above the speed limit except on the uphill climbs, where I'll usually be at to 5mph below the posted speed limit.

I just experienced that on my way home friday. Got passed on the highway by a truck and got off at the same exit. He pulled off to the side and let me by then followed me behind, then in the other lane , then beside. I could see the people pointing and talking all while cars piled up behind us. At least they didn't seem mad at me, I saw him road rageing other people before and after that incident.

[Snax]

I don't know how you people do it. I have a 400 mile drive from SF to LA for 4th of July. At 60mph it would 6 hours and 30 minutes. At 80mph (normal speed on i5) 5 hours flat. Thats an extra 3 hours on the road for the round trip. My time is more valuable than the gas I would save.
I agree with that under most longer trip conditions to a point. There was a time when I would not hesitate to drive extremely fast to cover the 900 miles between here and southern California. I've done it in 13 hours multiple times with only stopping for fuel, food, and porcelain. Going the speed limit would require a hotel stay, jacking up the cost and time of travel significantly. The hit on fuel economy simply isn't enough to detract from the time saved.

Around town it comes down to just a few minutes difference - sometimes seconds, that are simply not worth fussing over.

[kwtorbe]

A vacuum gauge works for me! Summitracing.com sells a nice one for $20 and it pretty much behaves as a Throttle Position indicator.... Much much cheaper than a Scangauge...

[diamondlarry]

3) While discussing cruse controls (and fuel economy) with my mechanic, the point that constant throttle pressure (what used to be known as a "throttle lock") is often (in many driving situations) even better for fuel economy than a traditional "cruse control" (which maintains a constant speed, by varying the throttle pressure) came up. It was at that point, that I mentioned a hack that a fellow gassavers forum member made, whereby they added a power switch to the servo motor in their cruse. This (apparently very simple) mod allows you to take a normal (constant speed, but variable throttle) cruse control, and convert it (at the flip of a switch) into a (constant throttle, but speed may "drift") "throttle lock" (and back again, as needs arise). And in either mode, the original "safety features" (of automatically disengaging the cruse control when you step on a pedal) are fully retained! Once my mechanic heard about that mod (and how it worked), he thought the idea was fantastic! So we plan to also add in this "cruse control to throttle lock" switch to the cruse control we put on my car (so I can choose either operating mode whenever I wish, even switching modes while driving down the road)!

NOTE: If you are really cheap, there are mechanical "throttle locks" on the market for much cheaper than full cruse controls (some mechanical options costing $40 or less). However, the reason I finally decided to go with the cruse (with the "throttle lock switch" hack), instead of one of the mechanical options, is that the cruse/hack combo gives me both options, and retains the full (automatic cutoff when a pedal is used) features of modern cruse controls. So I really get pretty much the best of all worlds this way, except for the initially higher cost of this option.

And remember, in either mode (normal "cruse control" mode or hacked "throttle lock" mode) my cruse control (once it's installed, which will hopefully be "soon") will do the work of maintaining a slower speed (if that's what I want), instead of me having to force my foot back when my foot naturally wants to step harder. So I should be able to "relax" (with my foot off the gas pedal) and just make sure the car is pointed where I want it to go...

This sounds like a very interesting idea. Please keep us posted on your progress. I have been interested in a "throttle lock" ever since I saw it on the dash(factory installed) of my grandpa's '52 Ford F2 truck. I'm wondering if I could get it to work on my Prius without the ECU have a major fit.:)

Edit: Something else I've noticed, especially when out in the country, is that the slower you go the quicker people are to pass. It works pretty well in the city and highway as well. For example, if I'm going 40-45 in a 50, people(proctologists:D) are more likely to hang on the bumper. If I'm going closer to 30 in that same 50 zone, they are much quicker to whip around and keep going. It's kind of like working with other people's tendency to want to speed more than be inconvenienced by going slower.

[slurp812]

I don't know how you people do it. I have a 400 mile drive from SF to LA for 4th of July. At 60mph it would 6 hours and 30 minutes. At 80mph (normal speed on i5) 5 hours flat. Thats an extra 3 hours on the road for the round trip. My time is more valuable than the gas I would save.

I don't mind other people driving below the speed limit as long as they don't do it in the left lane. If you drive more than about 5mph below the limit or if semi trucks are passing you the CHP will pull you over. I've seen it happen more than once. At some point you become a hazard to other road users.

Really? Thats wired. Here in Ohio, if too many trucks are passing, the highway patrol will probably pull them over. On the open highway here, away from the cites, its 65 for cars, and 55 for trucks. and I do 60.

[diamondlarry]

Really? Thats wired. Here in Ohio, if too many trucks are passing, the highway patrol will probably pull them over. On the open highway here, away from the cites, its 65 for cars, and 55 for trucks. and I do 60.

I'm going to be coming through your area tomorrow and Saturday. We're going to Cedar Point. I plan on going closer to the truck limit if at all possible. I'm assuming there is a minimum of 45 in Ohio?

[jharbert]

I'm used to driving slow in the Metro. Only having 55hp is part of that, plus it's really easy to remind myself, especially being what kind of car it is, that I'm getting great FE by not speeding. I'm hoping the 'being used to it' factor along with the SG2 and cruise control will aid me in getting better-than-rated FE in the Protégé.

[baddog671]

jharbert, the sad thing is that's 55hp at the crank. I think it'd be very depressing to know what it is at the wheel

I used to drive mine at 70-80 and I would get very very poor mpg. I tend to stay about 60 now if on the highway but I stay on backroads as much as possible where I can drive 50 and do lots of coasting.

[1993CivicVX]

I just spent some time looking for bumper stickers that will let my fellow road user know "what the heck he's doing driving THAT slow".

I found this one:

http://jitcrunch.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazo5MF9GLmpwZ3x sb2FkPUwwLGh0dHA6Ly9pbWFnZXMuY2FmZXByZXNzLmNvbS9pb WFnZS8xNDQ5MDEzNV80MDB4NDAwLmpwZ3x8c2NhbGU9TDAsNDA wLDEyMCxXaGl0ZXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFkZCw0MCwxO DB8bG9hZD1tYXNrLGJsYW5rOjkwX0ZfbWFzay5qcGd8Y29tcG9 zZT1ibGFuayxtYXNrLE1hc2ssMCwwfGNwPXJlc3VsdCxibGFua 3xzY2FsZT1yZXN1bHQsMCw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcHJlc3Npb24 9OTV8

And there are more here:

http://www.cafepress.com/peacetrain/1780576

Anybody know of more cool bumper stickers, beside the one from Gassavers.org of course ? :)

How about a really small one on your bumper that reads: "you can read this because I am trying to get a bazillion miles per gallon!"

[skale7]

On a multi-lane freeway (as in 3+) stay in the lane left of the rightmost lane, and do whatever you want. In the right lane you have to worry about merging traffic, but in the next lane, you don't. If its a two laner, stay in the right lane.

I usually go between 55-60 on the freeway, and around 40 (the most efficient speed for the van) on the 35/45mph streets. You can't go less than 55 in ATL without a Chevy 3500 banging you in the rear.

[popimp]

The best way:

Determine what your morals, wallet, and mpg are Then drive that way. You're damned if you do and your damned if you dont.

[2TonJellyBean]

Skale7, the lane you are talk about is typically the middle lane on many freeways and that is often the truckers lane for passing smaller traffic which we often seem to be. You may be forcing them to pass you on the right, which is also where other people are merging.

[phantomcow2]

Well the speed limit on the highway I take to work is 55. I can't bear to drive that slowly, so I do 60. I'm pretty lucky because everybody in the right lane is driving 60, since they're all going to the same exit;
exit 9.
So I just follow this train. It makes me think of a cycling peleton.
I try to stick to back roads/secondary highway, where I can travel 45-50 without people harassing me. Also, I can coast.

[BIBI]

Really? Thats wired. Here in Ohio, if too many trucks are passing, the highway patrol will probably pull them over. On the open highway here, away from the cites, its 65 for cars, and 55 for trucks. and I do 60.

55 for trucks !!!!!!!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS. No way it must be a taping mistake. Here in Quebec, Canada, if I'm doing 55 I'm getting pushed and passed by trucks again and again, and they to at least 65, if loaded, if not, damn they do like 70, I cant believe that, it pissed me off. When I was young (10 years ago) all the trucks had a badge in the back saying 55 mph MAX. Today, NO ONES got one and they all pushed their trucks like it was a F1. Its so stupid, and cops, cops dont do ****, its bisness as usual for them. This really got to change, we should take example on our neighboor of the south on this one.

And about the hole thread, I do 55 (sometime 60) and I really don't give a damn about other people, and everybody in here should do the same. WORD

[1993CivicVX]

I find that it feels really good to drive fast after eeking along like a geek for days on end. I find I don't have to go very fast for very long before I'm ready to go back to feather footin' at forty.

[popimp]

If you go over the speed limit then you're breaking the law. The speed limit is the max you can go not the minimum. People don't realize this. Maybe some tickets will help them.

[skale7]

Skale7, the lane you are talk about is typically the middle lane on many freeways and that is often the truckers lane for passing smaller traffic which we often seem to be. You may be forcing them to pass you on the right, which is also where other people are merging.

Nah, it's seven lanes. I see trucks on the first four lanes. No truck has passed me on the right yet.

Good point though, thanks. So it's 4+ and not 3+. I don't really know.

[jcp123]

I just sit back and enjoy the scenery. If other people want to pass me, that's their perogative. They aren't paying to fill my tank.

[brucepick]

Let's say a car is behind you and it's getting too close. Pretend you're going to change lanes. They will speed up and drive past you. It's a psychological game.

It's the same as when I want to change lanes. I turn on my blinker. The person in the other lane will almost inevitably speed up. That's when I slow down and enjoy a wide-open lane to change into.

Spot the drivers who have less than average manners or intelligence (usually the same drivers). They are the easisest to control because they have tunnel vision and everything is a race to them. The best thing is, they even think they are winning. But I'm still getting them off my tail or getting them to clear a space so I can change lanes.

I just laugh and tell my wife, "It's like I have a remote control or something."

m

Brilliant. I love it. Quoted from the first page of this thread.

[rh77]

The challenge of the right highway lane is, of course, the "On-Rampers". On the 3 lane highway, I'm in the middle in light-to-moderate traffic, and right lane in heavy traffic. In the right lane, slow "mergers" can break decent momentum and that confusion or lack of merging skills 90% of people have.

You've seen it before: one car attempts a merge. The vehicle on the highway slows down as does the merger. In the meantime, both vehicle slam on the brakes (I've seen it to the point of almost stopping).

I've tried something new in the past 2 weeks (flashing high-beams only works for trucks, it seems)...

If someone needs to merge, I slow slightly to let them in as usual (if I can't safely or politely merge to the center lane). If they appear skiddish, then I drift slightly to the right, into their on-ramp. So far, each one immediately merges without slowing, then I track back to the lane as they come over. It's something to do with the Psychology of not being forced off of the road or getting hit on a merge. Also works better than the frantic wave of "@$%&, come over already!!!".

RH77

[jcp123]

The challenge of the right highway lane is, of course, the "On-Rampers". On the 3 lane highway, I'm in the middle in light-to-moderate traffic, and right lane in heavy traffic. In the right lane, slow "mergers" can break decent momentum and that confusion or lack of merging skills 90% of people have.

You've seen it before: one car attempts a merge. The vehicle on the highway slows down as does the merger. In the meantime, both vehicle slam on the brakes (I've seen it to the point of almost stopping).

I've tried something new in the past 2 weeks (flashing high-beams only works for trucks, it seems)...

If someone needs to merge, I slow slightly to let them in as usual (if I can't safely or politely merge to the center lane). If they appear skiddish, then I drift slightly to the right, into their on-ramp. So far, each one immediately merges without slowing, then I track back to the lane as they come over. It's something to do with the Psychology of not being forced off of the road or getting hit on a merge. Also works better than the frantic wave of "@$%&, come over already!!!".

RH77

Hmm, interesting tactic. I usually just moved over a lane or two especially when coming up to an interchange, let the sheeple over on the right do their thing, then scoot back into the right lane when the confusion cleared itself up.

[Bill in Houston]

If someone needs to merge, I slow slightly to let them in as usual (if I can't safely or politely merge to the center lane). If they appear skiddish, then I drift slightly to the right, into their on-ramp. So far, each one immediately merges without slowing, then I track back to the lane as they come over. Ya, this works well. It's a way of telling them that they are in front of you, and you are not going to fight them for it.

[cfg83]

jcp123 -

Hmm, interesting tactic. I usually just moved over a lane or two especially when coming up to an interchange, let the sheeple over on the right do their thing, then scoot back into the right lane when the confusion cleared itself up.

I try to stay in the right lane as much as I can. I may try the "drift right" tactic though, because I do lose some good glides when there's no room to pop one lane over to let them in.

On my drive home, I stay in the far right lane on the 710 North until I see the Atlantic/Bandini exit. When I am near that exit, I pop one lane over. The reason is, the on-ramp for that is the most dangerous I have seen. The cars and trucks sometimes zoom on in blocks of 5 to 10, like a mini convoy, and just *fight* their way onto the freeway. This on-ramp is near the rail yards that serve as the gateway to the rest of the county (maybe 10 sets of track side by side), so that is why I think it has heavy traffic.

The funny part is that just before the on-ramp is a big sign for a Spanish radio station, El Piolin! The picture of the d-jay dude is really creepy (I think on purpose), so I call it the sign of El Diablo. Soooooo, the on-ramp is the on-ramp of El Diablo!

CarloSW2

[rh77]

The cars and trucks sometimes zoom on in blocks of 5 to 10, like a mini convoy, and just *fight* their way onto the freeway. This on-ramp is near the rail yards that serve as the gateway to the rest of the county (maybe 10 sets of track side by side), so that is why I think it has heavy traffic.

The funny part is that just before the on-ramp is a big sign for a Spanish radio station, El Piolin! The picture of the d-jay dude is really creepy (I think on purpose), so I call it the sign of El Diablo. Soooooo, the on-ramp is the on-ramp of El Diablo!

CarloSW2

Of the known 'El Diablo' ramps on my usual drives, I just match the speed of the center lane (take an FE hit on accel/higher speeds) and let them do their thing...then it's back to the right. No guarantees that foolish accelerators will perform the 2-lane slide and force harsh braking (argh).

'Clench -- if they're Yiddish, then they generally have the chutzpah to accelerate and make it over, or perhaps schmooze their way in. I then bid them "Mazel tov" and they're on their way :)

[Wazabi Owner]

HEY!! I resemble that comment!

My speed limit is 60mph most of my trip to work. Seldom does anyone do under 70mph in the morning. I keep it 65mph to try not to impede the flow of traffic since it is a totally backwoods country road with a high volume of traffic. What cracks me up is at least I catch up EVERY morning to a little old lady in a Nissan Sentra that sets the cruise on 52mph (I suspect she is mileage guru queen and that's here "sweet spot") and has a HUGE line of traffic behind her.

Good thing is almost everyone seems content with the speed limit in the evening. No bobbing and weaving behind you, riding your rear etc. I can normally set at 60 and be content........of course this is nearly winding out my little NA diesel VW. :p

Get a volkswagen naturally aspirated diesel :D

[DarbyWalters]

I just remember that even tho I drive a SUV (diesel tho)...at 60-62mpg I am getting 30+mpg and everyone that is passing me is most likely getting much less at 70mpg. Of course that doesn't include some members here

[Mr Incredible]

+1 for all the above.

I had my mind right after I started riding my Harley, after having a fastbike. It's a whole 'nother world. You save money on watches since you no longer have any interest in getting anywhere fast.

Be a rock in the stream and let them flow around you. But I wouldn't quit looking in the rearview! I always know what's going on around me and it can really come in handy.

I was cruising along at 65mph on the open highway last weekend and looked up just in time to see some dark car coming up FAST behind me. There was somebody with a map open in front of them and they (she) couldn't see the road in front of her. I had only enough time to recognize the situation and jerk the car over to the shoulder. She went right through where I just was.

Just go the speed you want and let everybody else do their own thing. But, my need for speed is still there. Just....gotta....control....it........

[Snax]

So it begs the question: If poeple aren't really in any need to speed, why do they do it?

And further: What would it take to correct it besides so called 'education' and higher fuel prices?

Here's my list-

1.) Anger management courses
2.) Take the fun out of driving

3.) hmmm

err

well . .

Oh wait, I got it - put more fun into driving slower

;)

[theclencher]

they feel like they have the need for speed

but they haven't ever actually sat down and done the math :mad:

[Mr Incredible]

I've done the math, and I still do drive fast. If I had more money, I'd do it more.

I also feel like I want to reduce fuel consumption. I do that, too.

Same line to draw, only drawn different places for different folks...

[Mr Incredible]

I see your point, but I disagree that it affects you and people like you most of the time...and me when I'm puttin' along. Except for tailgaters and people that pull directly in front of me. There's a special place in Hell for them.

When I'm puttin' along, those people (speeders) just aren't involved in my drive. I stop. I start. I move along. They move around me. What kind of bother is it except for bruising the sensibilities of "greener" people?

The simple act of them going fast doesn't affect my driving slowly and carefully, only the bad drivers do that. And, for sure, bad drivers drive all kinds of vehicles including high mpg ones.

[trebuchet03]

The simple act of them going fast doesn't affect my driving slowly and carefully, only the bad drivers do that. And, for sure, bad drivers drive all kinds of vehicles including high mpg ones.

It doesn't bother me so much... until a clump of fast moving cars all have to slow down for some reason -- standing wave traffic :thumbdown:

[DracoFelis]

This sounds like a very interesting idea. Please keep us posted on your progress. I have been interested in a "throttle lock" ever since I saw it on the dash(factory installed) of my grandpa's '52 Ford F2 truck. I'm wondering if I could get it to work on my Prius without the ECU have a major fit.:)
Long story short, we never could get the electronic cruse control to work right on my car, so we just sent it back (for a refund). And that was AFTER talking to the tech support for the CC maker, which advised us on how we needed a relay because we used LED lights (although no mention of that issue was in the instructions) and it STILL didn't work after that mod was made.

So we just "gave up" and put in a low cost mechanical (locking) hand throttle (this thing: http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/263.html ). Downsides are its not as fancy as a full "cruse control", although it makes a great cheap "throttle lock", and it doesn't have an auto-off safety feature (when you step on the brake or clutch). But it does work surprisingly well (especially on more level ground), and it puts zero additional load on the car (no electronics to supply power to), as it's just an extra mechanical throttle control. So from a FE standpoint, the thing is great (and it's a cheap mod to do, as well)!

As to the safety issues, I think the thing is "safe enough". After all, if I ever forget to turn the thing "off" (set it to the non-throttle position) during an "emergency", the worst that will happen is I'll have a little extra throttle when either stepping on the brake or the clutch (or both). If it's the clutch the engine will just race a bit more, so there is no safety issue with the clutch. And while in theory there is a safety issue with the brake, in practice that isn't a concern either, because a hard/emergency brake (in gear) tends to kill the engine anyway, and as soon as the engine kills you are back to no extra braking distance (due to the extra "locked" throttle).

And yes, I do now sometimes use the hand throttle when driving to/from work (it depends upon what mood I'm in, as to if I use it or just control things manually with my foot). And if I'm in a relaxed mood, I'll sometimes use that as a way to keep a slightly slower speed.

BTW: One minor irritation, was that the "handle" of the hand tension screw (on the hand throttle lever itself) would vibrate (making noise) while driving down the road. My "fix" for that was to put some rare earth magnets (I had around the house) on the throttle, to keep the tension screw "handle" attached firmly to the hand throttle (while still allowing me to move the magnets when I wanted to adjust the throttle lock tension). Voila, no more rattling tension screw handle to annoy me!

[Mr Incredible]

It doesn't bother me so much... until a clump of fast moving cars all have to slow down for some reason -- standing wave traffic :thumbdown:


I quite agree. I keep a moderate pace in rush hour(s) and have a buffer in front of me to absorb some of that accordian effect. There's always a few fast drivers that zoom around everybody and zip into the space, but I try hard not to take it personally.

While I've been driving slow for some time (the truck CAN stop and start quickly, but I don't like being so rude to it...and with the power of the LS1, I don't feel a need to exercise it constantly) I've learned and entirely new world by driving the CRX. It's a world I haven't seen before. SLOW-slow is quite a change.

I think probably the biggest part of learning to drive for FE has been un-learning being territorial on the highway. I can't close off a space in front of me quickly if I have no revs (or power) like in the Camaro. I'm not big enough to intimidate people into politeness like in the truck. I have no power to be territorial. I may still have to occasionally to thwart dangerous moves, but it's always dangerous itself.

On particularly bad drives I feel like a bunny rabbit being buzzed by a squadron of hawks. Not a comfortable feeling.

[kamesama980]

in traffic I'm a lot more concerned with safety and traffic flow than squeezing the last 2 mpg out of my car. I find it a lot less detrimental to my mental calm to use a hair more gas to keep up with traffic than dealing with people avoiding my obnoxious and interfering backside.However, when I was getting paid by the hour to transport vehicles for a dealership, I matched the slowest person in traffic. course I wasn't paying for gas then either, still helping my wallet proportionally tho.

[Snax]

I think it helps that my car kinda looks like a POS. That and the fact that it only has 62HP in stock form. I'd guess the new Weber carb bumps that up to 67, so I'm not going to keep many people happy even if I floor it everywhere. Most get a clue before I'm ever able to hold them up and simply go around.

[StorminMatt]

Well, I don't even try to drive slow. I guess it is just too hard for me to do, given (1) my need for speed, and (2) my desire not to block traffic. I try to do the best I can with hardware. The 30-35MPG that I get from the ITR CRX may not be that good compared to what some folks here get from more economy-oriented cars driven in more economy-oriented ways. But the way I look at it, it is quite a bit better than what MOST folks out there get. Even if they are lumbering along at 55MPH in their Suburbans, I'm probably getting close to double what they are getting (while screaming down the road at 80+MPH). There is also my prject Civic, which, at this time, is running an HF transmission. Some day, I might swap a D15Z1. And it will be interesting to see what ind of mileage I can get from a car that is driven like everybody else does.

[krousdb]

Dropping from 65MPH to 60MPH raised my tank averages to 62MPG from 57MPG. The 6 handle feels so much better. On the interstate I set the cruise control to 60 and forget about it. My I-40/I-95 (65-70MPH speed limit)drive to work is from 6:15 to 7:05 AM so there is not much traffic. Going home 5:00 to 5:50 the traffic is thicker but there is always another slowpoke in the area slowing things down so passing traffic is rarely exceeding 75MPH.

[Mighty Mira]

I'm considering lowering my spead to 60 mph, but I will admit that it is already a challenge driving 65 mph, so I was wondering how other people do it.
I found that I used to speed because I was bored - my mind wanted stimulation.

If you pulse and glide it tends to provide enough stimulation on your brain that you don't need to speed. In fact, it's really like riding a bike as a kid (i.e. you are even more underpowered than an adult, the weight/power ratio is higher, and so is your frontal area/power ratio.) Or riding a bike on a hot day. Pretty much all the lessons you learned as a kid on a bike apply to fuel efficient driving, since it's all about energy conservation. i.e. don't stop unless you absolutely, absolutely have to, don't go too fast in general, take corners fast because if you brake you will only have to peddle more later, and each time you peddle when you know you will have to slow down means that you are getting hot, tired and sweaty for no reason at all.

Basically, you want to coast as long as possible, usually only using the engine on the hills or on the flat after you have coasted down. And you will want to start that coast from as low a speed as is feasible. Technically, you may find you need to coast going up a hill, you don't have to have the engine on going up the hill. The critical thing with P&G is not that you pulse up hills and glide down them, but you keep your engine in the most efficient range (i.e. 75% throttle at about 2k rpm), or in neutral/off.

This turns your ride home into a game - how can you extend the coast as long as possible without pissing other drivers off too much, and during the pulse it's keeping the throttle in a position to give you about 75% of the power of full throttle, for as long as you need to and won't have to brake, preferably being able to draft for a little bit as well.

If you do all that, you will find that it's enough of a mental exercise. If you find yourself getting bored, learn some more techniques and try to apply them. So instead of trying to be in the top 5% of cars speeding (while not getting caught), try and be in the top 5% of fuel efficient cars (without getting beeped at).

[css28]

For me, the epiphany came from riding a charter bus to a concert an hour from home. By nature, the bus can't accelerate or brake anywhere near as quickly as the cars surrounding it but it can (and really must) focus farther in the distance. What I found was that at the end of certain stretches of road we were still amongst the same groups of cars that we started with despite their efforts at accelerating, lane changing, etc.
Since then, I've found that the trucks and buses in the traffic mix generally do as well for arrival time as the surrounding traffic while avoiding most stops and starts.
So I drive my BMW as if were a charter bus (sort of) :) .

[kamesama980]

For me, the epiphany came from riding a charter bus to a concert an hour from home. By nature, the bus can't accelerate or brake anywhere near as quickly as the cars surrounding it but it can (and really must) focus farther in the distance. What I found was that at the end of certain stretches of road we were still amongst the same groups of cars that we started with despite their efforts at accelerating, lane changing, etc.
Since then, I've found that the trucks and buses in the traffic mix generally do as well for arrival time as the surrounding traffic while avoiding most stops and starts.
So I drive my BMW as if were a charter bus (sort of) :) .

werd. I spent a summer a few years ago working in CT commuting I95 from fairfield to norwalk basically about 15 miles with the NYC rush hour. avg speed 20-30 mph. I watched people swerve and slam the gas and brake and get so pissed off and waste so much gas. I tried slightly aggressive driving the first day but gave up when I noticed the crazy bastards creating a hazard for everyone and wasting gas gained about 2 carlengths over the 15 miles. after that I sat in the middle or right lane (depending on upcoming exits and merges) mostly idling in OD managing to get 25-26 mpg in my cressida rated for 24 mpg (uncorrected epa hwy rating) with horrible blow-by, no stem seals to speak of (10w40 high mileage oil leaking into combustion) leaky tires, and auto trans.

[Scott]

Driving backwards I refer to my old days of driving a commercial truck cross country for a living. I was in a slow diesel cab over Type B that had a 40 foot box and a wheel base the same as a city bus. When I passed other trucks, it was a slow waiting game. Since traffic behind and next to me was moving much faster I used my mirrors to look for a hole behind me and jump in that hole to catch a draft off a passing car to help me accelerate around another truck.

I use this technique today, I avoid 70 and look for trucks that are cruising around 65 mph, semis move slowly and can really teach you some throttle feathering to keep an even speed. But there are times I'm out there alone, without any trucks to draft and I stay close to the limit 60-65. I do get tailgatted every so often, but still some people can't figure out the right lane is the slow lane.

In my quest for better mileage I totally focus on my mpg read out. When I first discovered Gas Savers, I spent one whole 250 mile trip glued to MPH vs. MPG. I found my best mileage is at 64 mph, on level gounds without anything in front of me I can maintain 34 mpg. Go up to 70 and I go right to 28 mpg, go down to 55-60 and I do about 30. Some where is an rpm, wind resistance marriage that likes 64 mph. At 55 the engine is spinning too low and lugs around 2200 rpm, 70 is 3000 and 64 is 2800 rpm.

I also found disturbed air is good too, if I find a line of moving traffic, the turbulence around that group of cars gives me 2 to 3 better mpg, than just breaking wind on my own. A couple of car lengths behind a semi still gives a good mpg boost, rather than being right behind a semi, that's dangerous and your blind.

I make sure I signal allot and look for gutter ballers who like to speed in the slow lane. Some times I see a guy bullet behind me and I move over a lane, its an old racing thing that's a courtesy. They don't know it, but its kind of an ebb and flow thing. I like to drive and since I'm driving for MPG and not setting a personal speed record anymore, I find my drives to be very relaxing.

Things I can recommend is XM or Serius, I have XM and hit the 60's thru the 90's, 7 channels of rock and retroactive and then there is a station that plays movie sounds tracks I can listen to all day. In the old days of trucking before DVD's I used to listen to books on tape and tape movies. I'd listen to the entire movie through a couple hundred watts and 4 speakers. Try ro achieve the Zen of driving.

[Scott]

Driving backwards I refer to my old days of driving a commercial truck cross country for a living. I was in a slow diesel cab over Type B that had a 40 foot box and a wheel base the same as a city bus. When I passed other trucks, it was a slow waiting game. Since traffic behind and next to me was moving much faster I used my mirrors to look for a hole behind me and jump in that hole to catch a draft off a passing car to help me accelerate around another truck.

I use this technique today, I avoid 70 and look for trucks that are cruising around 65 mph, semis move slowly and can really teach you some throttle feathering to keep an even speed. But there are times I'm out there alone, without any trucks to draft and I stay close to the limit 60-65. I do get tailgatted every so often, but still some people can't figure out the right lane is the slow lane.

In my quest for better mileage I totally focus on my mpg read out. When I first discovered Gas Savers, I spent one whole 250 mile trip glued to MPH vs. MPG. I found my best mileage is at 64 mph, on level gounds without anything in front of me I can maintain 34 mpg. Go up to 70 and I go right to 28 mpg, go down to 55-60 and I do about 30. Some where is an rpm, wind resistance marriage that likes 64 mph. At 55 the engine is spinning too low and lugs around 2200 rpm, 70 is 3000 and 64 is 2800 rpm.

I also found disturbed air is good too, if I find a line of moving traffic, the turbulence around that group of cars gives me 2 to 3 better mpg, than just breaking wind on my own. A couple of car lengths behind a semi still gives a good mpg boost, rather than being right behind a semi, that's dangerous and your blind.

I make sure I signal allot and look for gutter ballers who like to speed in the slow lane. Some times I see a guy bullet behind me and I move over a lane, its an old racing thing that's a courtesy. They don't know it, but its kind of an ebb and flow thing. I like to drive and since I'm driving for MPG and not setting a personal speed record anymore, I find my drives to be very relaxing.

Things I can recommend is XM or Serius, I have XM and hit the 60's thru the 90's, 7 channels of rock and retroactive and then there is a station that plays movie sounds tracks I can listen to all day. In the old days of trucking before DVD's I used to listen to books on tape and tape movies. I'd listen to the entire movie through a couple hundred watts and 4 speakers. Try ro achieve the Zen of driving.

[smay665949]

The best thing to do in heavy traffic is to go with the flow up to the speed limit. If you’re the only one driving below the flow of traffic you are a menace to the majority. Bottom line, driving slower than the majority may be saving you gas/money but your wasting everyone else’s gas, time and money.

Here’s a scenario: on your commute you have multiple cars slowing down, riding your *** and racing past when you get a chance; they are using way more gas than you are saving. Yes many of these people are speeding which is wrong but many are using their car for what it is intended, to get you where you need to go as quickly as possible. Then get a couple semis having to slow down for people running way below the flow and it’s time to build another refinery. My car loses 2 MPG on a 50-mile drive if I have to slow down 10-15 miles below the speed limit more than 3 times.

I do agree with driving slower when there is light enough traffic for people can get around you without slowing down. Personally if I have time I will drive 5-10 MPH below the speed limit with light traffic which gives me an increase of less than ½ a mile to the gallon which doesn’t make up for the 2-MPG I lose when I get trapped by slow drivers in heavy traffic.

So the best way to save gas as a community is: go with the flow in heavy traffic, slow down if you choose in light traffic and use your cruise control if you have one.

Note: my wife and I drive 3 vehicles 65,000 miles a year and about 75% of it is in rural areas and interstate.

[Mr Incredible]

And if those people that are riding your tail had a brain they would have been watching for slower traffic and would have already been in the other lane going around you. I have little sympathy for people that don't look or think ahead. It is they who are the danger, heavy traffic included.

No-See-Um drivers never cease to amaze me. Whether in heavy traffic or on deserted highways, they come zooming up behind me and hang there, pause until discovering it won't make me speed up, then go around. If they'd been paying attention they'd have simply gone around without any issues. What morons.

[StorminMatt]

For me, the epiphany came from riding a charter bus to a concert an hour from home. By nature, the bus can't accelerate or brake anywhere near as quickly as the cars surrounding it but it can (and really must) focus farther in the distance. What I found was that at the end of certain stretches of road we were still amongst the same groups of cars that we started with despite their efforts at accelerating, lane changing, etc.
Since then, I've found that the trucks and buses in the traffic mix generally do as well for arrival time as the surrounding traffic while avoiding most stops and starts.
So I drive my BMW as if were a charter bus (sort of) :) .

You have to realize that there is a good reason for this. People who drive cars tend to stop and do stuff like get food, buy gas, go to the bathroom, take pictures, etc. Busses typically don't make these stops. Or at least as often. This is why a bus and a car might end up at the same destination at the same time, despite the fact that the road might be open AND the cars drive faster.

[slurp812]

they feel like they have the need for speed

but they haven't ever actually sat down and done the math :mad:

They seem to feel the need to go faster than someone like me. Just like I used to. I needed to be in front of everyone! Its about getting to work on time, etc. getting back home fast, to relax, spend time with kids. On the side of town I live in, people drive nuts. There are accidents everyday on this side of town. I watched a guy tailgate me, then as soon as we made it to the passing zone he blew by me like I was standing still! He would take the time to obey the lines on the road, but the speed limit? When I drive for FE, I often try not to stop, even when I am supposed to. I don't recommend this, but I have blew through a few stop signs here and there. I guess the bottom line is most of of break the rules sometimes...

[trebuchet03]

The best thing to do in heavy traffic is to go with the flow up to the speed limit. If you’re the only one driving below the flow of traffic you are a menace to the majority. Bottom line, driving slower than the majority may be saving you gas/money but your wasting everyone else’s gas, time and money.


Meh - I take responsibility for my actions. I am not responsible for anyone else mashing on their gas pedal just to slam on the brakes a quarter second later.

In any case, in heavy traffic - I get a long line of people behind me moving at a constant pace :thumbup: Many of which DO NOT try to pass me. Why? because moving at a constant 10-15-20mph+ is much better than spurts up to 25 and stops for 15 seconds. It's also quite enjoyable to slingshot past everyone else because they didn't give a suitable buffer space. Sure, some people cut in front into your buffer -but if you think that completely destroys the technique -you obviously haven't tried or haven't tried with a large enough buffer space :thumbup: This has worked in burb traffic, LA rush hour traffic, mega car crash ahead traffic etc.

Even if other people's actions were my responsibility - I'm quite satisfied with the 50 or so cars behind me getting greater than 0mpg. Even with the mash go and brake drivers getting less due to 0mpg minus all that acceleration energy :thumbup: But again, their feeble attempt to save up to 4% on time just doesn't work and they are not my responsibility.

I've seen semi truck drivers do this too - and I've seen semi truck drivers at a dead stop because everyone is cramming themselves forward so tight that nothing can merge :thumbdown:

[smay665949]

Notice I was referring to rural and Interstate driving. In town I do the same as you because cities can't/won't time the lights so you can go for more than 2 blocks at a time. I have heard they do this to slow down traffic.

In town if the light turns yellow I automatically let off even if I just started rolling. A lot of timesf I'm in front I can still be moving when the light turns green.

What gets me is when I finish passing (interstate) and move right to let someone riding my tail go by and they sit on my left tail light like I am some kind of pacecar. Then when I come on a slower car I either have to speed up or kick off the cruize and slow down so I can get over to pass. Occasionally I will just hit the blinker and cut them off.

[trebuchet03]

Notice I was referring to rural and Interstate driving. In town I do the same as you because cities can't/won't time the lights so you can go for more than 2 blocks at a time. I have heard they do this to slow down traffic.


Works well in those scenarios too :thumbup: Heavy Traffic is the same on any type of road. It it typically works out that the people that stay in one lane (and don't try to pull around) get there just as fast as everyone else.

Depends what city ;) Downtown Miami and Ft. Lauderdale has awesome light timing. Go too fast, you'll hit a red light. Go to slow, you'll hit a red light. Stay at the posted speed - green lights all the way through downtown :thumbup: In my hometown - the lights are timed for the wrong speed. 52mph (speed limit is 45). The problem is - it allegedly costs the city $3,000 per light to reprogram...

[kamesama980]

The problem is - it allegedly costs the city $3,000 per light to reprogram...

Well it probably takes a union traffic engineer which means you need to have at least 2 of them, both getting paid 5x what I'm making now, vehicle to get there (heaven forbid you bill the whole trip as one rather than 12 little ones) with a minimum hours, plus the paperwork...

Not $3k but still a lot when it should be (at least) a magnitude smaller

[8307c4]

Heck around here it is a challenge just to attempt to do the speed limit, and nothing to do with temptation, these fools drive up your bumper act like they'll run you over if you don't do at least 20 over the speed limit.
Mind you, were you to DO 20 over they would then call the police and report you.
All the time riding your tail too, pushing, forcing, I hate that crap.

Yes sir, they're all racing to be first, for what I haven't a clue.

So it doesn't work around here to get in the slow lane, it helps but soon I get someone starts tailing, and that just frustrates. They want to go faster but they will not change lanes, I can slow down but that doesn't help either. So I have to get out of their way, slow lane or not a tailgater makes me into an unsafe driver too!

So I usually start to drift backwards through traffic, watch the rear views and switch to the clear lanes always, more so if big rigs are coming, I suspect some of those tractor drivers are likely the only ones who notice and appreciate it.

It's the same thing as if you were trying to get ahead, except you fall back instead.

What I find most amazing is there is NEVER any competition for last place.
Strange feeling, but therein exists nirvana as well.

Once I get out of the worst of the pack, I usually settle onto a speed.
The idea is to try and stay behind the pack I just got out of and ahead of the pack of wolves coming up, it's not possible to do so indefinitely when they're all doing 190mph, but a slight speed up does delay it some.
Keep in those open spaces as long as possible, then it's the same process again.

So more than anything it's a mindset.
Helium in the throttle section helps.

[striegel]

Lean your seat back away from the steering wheel and grip the wheel from the bottom half. You'll feel more relaxed and actually be safer too, in case the airbag ever gets triggered.

[broadwayline]

I don't know about where you guys drive, but where I drive I feel that driving at 20 mph UNDER the posted speed limit on a major highway is equally as dangerous as driving over the limit.

Our highways are so packed that you would be seriously impeeding the flow of traffic, and waiting for a driver going 60 mph+ to crash into you from behind not expecting a car to be driving that slow.

It is actually a serious offence here to drive under the speed limit, they will take your car off the road and impound it and you get your licence suspended on the spot for 7 days. You also face charges between 2000-10000 dollars and a possible criminal record, and a very very long licence suspension.

This is the same fine you recieve for other dangerous acts such as street racing, stunting, and driving 50+ km/h over the speed limit.