So what are you doing?

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

No.

You may find yourself lulled into a false sense of security by assuming that staying below a certain RPM would get you the best gas mileage. My truck'll go way faster than 54 mph without going over 2K RPM. If I used the 2K RPM argument globally, I'd be screwing myself out of some gas mileage by throwing my gas away fighting air resistance.

I use the RPM rule when shifting and the max speed rule once I get into overdrive.

Another thing I do: Anticipate lights. I'm looking WAY down the road. If I see a light that I'm pretty sure I'll hit, I put it in neutral and coast. THis way, the RPMs drop to 1K and I'm still cruising at speed. Mucho savings to be had there. I don't cut the engine off, but some will do that. I just don't think wasting a starter is a smart way to save.

You should stick your left foot out and do the skateboard push.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by Trapper

You should stick your left foot out and do the skateboard push.

Don't tempt me. I'm turning into one of those hyper-milers that'll do anything at any cost to save an ounce of gasoline. On a hill, I start out in second to avoid a shift, I could start doing the skateboard push on flat spots to avoid a shift.

Hmmm . . . possibly doable.

[Sgt Mike]

The House of Representatives want to sue OPEC, not the White House. In fact the White House opposes the bill. Howling at the moon would be about as effective as suing OPEC and will result in rien, nothing, nada.

Around here the sale of mopeds and scooters under 50cc are at an all time high.

Originally Posted by busa-boy33

To save gas...

Well I'm doing my part and something I never thought I would ever do.. slow down.. yup.. and I get passed by 10 cars this morning for just doing the posted speed limit.

If anyone in here drives a diesel I feel sorry for you.. Did you guys read where the White House wants to sue OPEC??? I doubt that will help us out any and would more then likely make matters worse.

Have you guys started noticing there are more bikes now on the roads? Around here I see a few more then normal.

[MikeHump]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I set my top speed at 54 mph to lessen the amount of gas spent on wind resistance, which piles up quickly above 50 mph.

I really don't know much about it, but wouldn't aerodynamics and momentum come into play as well? You say that above 50 mph, wind resistance piles up quickly, but I think that it depends on the vehicle and how it's aerodynamically designed. Also, momentum increases as velocity increases, so the increased momentum at higher speeds should help cancel out the wind resistance, along with the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Not sure if this is the correct thinking, but this is why I pay attention more to RPMs than speed. When I'm on the freeway I get the best gas mileage at about 3,000 RPM, when I'm going about 65-70 mph.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I really don't know much about it, but wouldn't aerodynamics and momentum come into play as well? You say that above 50 mph, wind resistance piles up quickly, but I think that it depends on the vehicle and how it's aerodynamically designed. Also, momentum increases as velocity increases, so the increased momentum at higher speeds should help cancel out the wind resistance, along with the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Not sure if this is the correct thinking, but this is why I pay attention more to RPMs than speed. When I'm on the freeway I get the best gas mileage at about 3,000 RPM, when I'm going about 65-70 mph.

Aerodynamics, yes. Momentum, probably not as much. It depends GREATLY on the vehicle, as you mentioned. Lacking vehicle-specific data, I use the generalized stuff that I found during my research.

I don't think the additional momentum actually makes cutting all that air any cheaper, since you're paying for that momentum with additional foot feed at the gas pedal.

I'd bet that (depending on your car's make and model) you'd get much better mileage if you limited your top speed. Obviously there's a break point, as a person couldn't reasonably expect good gas mileage if they went 5 mph everywhere.

I don't know everything, but I do know what works best on a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, 3.9L V6, 5 spd. Your results may vary.

[jgreth]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I don't know everything

Holy hell... this may be signature material here.

[busa-boy33]

Ok guys.. wasn't going to say anything about it but I guess now I will..

I have a barrel of crude oil buried in my back yard. Thats right some quality stuff here just waiting for someone to refine it into gasoline. So I will start the bidding at ... 150.00

[chiddly]

I've been doing my part for about 10 years.
I've got a 99 chevy 1500 (bought in Oct of 98 ) that has 58,000 miles on it.
I worked out of my house for the first 3 years I had it.
Now my commute is about 30 miles of the worst interstate in Colorado
so I have been using regional transportation for 4 years,not so much to save
fuel costs, but save my sanity.

[MikeHump]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I don't know everything

Come on, I was relying on you to help me out with my gas problems.

I might take busa-boy up on his offer for the oil drum. Then I could turn it into gas and sell it back to him for equal or greater value.

[drgibson]

KLR 650 = 51mpg theres my effort.

[Thundurburd]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

For instance, the force of the air resistance on a vehicle is proportional to he square of the velocity, so going twice as fast results in four times the resistance, hence the vastly greater fuel economy at 50 mph versus 65 mph.

I agree, so going 65 mph versus 50 would be an increase of 69% in wind resistance, and that's significant. Other factors are the cross sectional area of the vehicle that you're pushing into the wind and an aerodynamic factor of the shape that accounts for how streamlined the vehicle is. And once you own a specific car or motorcycle there's little you can do to change either of those, so fuel economy is going to depend on how fast we drive and how we manage the power.

[omegajim]

I'll know when people are serious about saving gas when I see them drive slower; haven't seen it happen yet.

[Sandman]

Our 2001 Sienna is parked. We only use it for family trips now or when the car is in for repairs. I now commute on the bike all the time, rain or shine. (47mpg last fill up) Only ice will keep me off the road.

Both of our commutes are 20+ miles each way, and unfortunately take us in different directions. My wife wants a job closer to home, but so far it would mean an $8k annual pay cut. It would be a definite savings in gas & tolls, but not 8k worth. We’re both kinda stuck for now.

We also make lists and consolidate trips, and if the bike can be used I make the run. I’ve also advised my wife to not drive the additional distance to save the 3-5 cents per gallon at the cheaper stations. Any savings at the pump is negated by the fuel used in getting there.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I’ve also advised my wife to not drive the additional distance to save the 3-5 cents per gallon at the cheaper stations. Any savings at the pump is negated by the fuel used in getting there.

IU have tried and tried to 'splain this to my workmate, but he just . . . doesn't . . . get it. Sad.

[Trapper]

Some people take this pretty seriously. I got a bulk email the other day with tips on saving gas.

Such things as filling up early in the morning when the ground is cooler so the gas volume is smaller, always fill up when you're at half full because the more air in your tank the faster the gas will evaporate, etc.

[MOTOHOLIC!]

We've cut fuel costs by going slowly, and we hardly ever go anywhere. Yeah I have seen more motorcycles lately, Busa-boy. I reckon that's cause they get much more mileage than cars and trucks do.

[omegajim]

I wonder how many people actually bought bikes thinking they're going to save money with better mileage.

[Uncle B]

I am trying to locate an Oklahoma creditcard.

[amvince]

Originally Posted by Uncle B

I am trying to locate an Oklahoma creditcard.

Oklahoma, Credit card you know better than that.

Oh by the way I agree with everyone on the gas mileage thing. Not sure what I'm agreeing with but it is easier this way.

[inspiron]

I just hope that not too many people get the idea to go slower in order to save gas. The aerodynamics of my car are optimized so that I get the best mileage between 50 and 75 mph. The speed limit on the Autobahn is 80 mph, and I like to drive at the limit. If a bunch of people decide "slow is more frugal", they'll just create traffic jams that end up costing everyone more time and money.