Save on Gas
I've taken a tip from the airlines in an effort to save gas: Drive slower.When oil prices skyrocketed in 1973, the US government cut maximum speed to 55 in an effort to conserve energy, part of the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act. It was signed on January 2, 1974, and stayed for a good fifteen years before the imposition was lifted, allowing for speed limits to jump back up to 60-80 depending upon state preference.
From the bit of reading I've done, though, vehicle engines are still made to perform at optimum proficiency at 55 miles per hour, so if you drive the current highway speed limit, or on town roads at slower speeds, you burn more fuel than if you were to drive 55.
Now don't go speeding on town roads to save gas, but when it comes to highway travel, try running at 60 miles per hour instead of 65, or drive 55 if you can stand it. Here's an interesting article titled "The Unmentioned Energy Fix: A 55 mph speed limit."
Since I've begun to drive slower, I've noticed two things:
- Others are beginning to do the same; even when I drive 55, cars have stayed behind me instead of pass. I think it's catching on. People are getting it: you burn (rubber), you lose (money).
- Our gas consumption has reduced. I track our miles per gallons and when I began to drive 55-60, our miles per gallon increased.
Check out more Works for Me Wednesday posts at Rocks In My Dryer.
Labels: Economy, Energy, Finances, Works for Me Wednesday
posted by (Jim and) Brandy Brow @ 10:13 AM
5 Comments
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5 Comments:
Hi Brandy - thanks for visiting my blog! I too use a 2GB card in my camera and it's working great for me - I typically take video anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes...just enough to capture moments with my little guy. I download my camera to my computer fairly often, so my card doesn't get too full. (I think the camera says it will hold 29 mins on the 2GB card.) I moved 300+ pics this morning as well as 2 videos (for some reason I wasn't deleting everything off recently like I thought I was!), 1 that was around 30 seconds and the other 1:30 or something like that - the whole transfer took just a couple of minutes - I am using a 2.0 usb port - not sure if that's the difference or what. If it took a long time, I'd probably just aim to do it at night before I went to bed or something like that.
My MIL does get carried away (at times) shooting video too, and will fill up her 2GB card...we simply bought her a couple of extras back at Mother's Day so that she could keep the spares in her camera case and not miss out on any cute moments with him. That's just what's working for us! best wishes!
i live out in the country, so rather than tailgating tourists who don't drive the winding roads fast enough to suit me, i've learned to coast behind them through the curves. because one stretch of road is downhill i can coast for over a mile without ever touching the gas! not to mention teaching me patience - a fruit of the spirit i could use more of in my diet!
What a simple way to save gasoline (and be safer, too). I've seen people turn off their cars at the long stoplights in town, too. We live in a suburban neighborhood fairly close to Target and some grocery stores, so I've been trying to keep my schedule simple enough so that I have time to ride my bike in this nice weather. I kept the kids' bike trailer, even though they've all outgrown it, to haul stuff when necessary. It's kind of fun, when I have the time.
jodi: Thanks for the feedback. I think it's my old USB drive that's slowing me down.
brooke: Ah, the ol' suck-up-the-driver's-gas-in-front-of-me trick. Hmmm, remind me not to drive slow in front of you. ;-) Neutral down hills sure helps. :-)
ann kroeker: The town nearby has instituted an idling ban. I'm all for saving gas, but that's ludicrous--an elementary class's idea of what would be good for the environment. It might save gas, but forget me turning off my vehicle all the time while idling at the bank or stop lights, especially in winter!
Bicycles are great fun. Seems like I never have time to ride one anymore, and if I did, my bike couldn't take it anymore. It's gotten oooold. (What does that say about me??? Eek!)
mommy merrill: Glad you stopped by and left a comment, too. I'm so excited for you and the new baby you're waiting for. :)
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