55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

[bronzebird]

Just heard on the news that one of our federal legislators is proposing a reinstatement of the 55 Mile Per Hour limit on highways to conserve fuel.

Now, maybe my math is screwy but here is my observation:

If I drive at 70 miles per hour I get 18 mpg in my T-Bird.

If I drive at 55 miles per hour I get 23 mpg.

So, I get 28% better gas mileage at the lower speed BUT I am going 28% faster.

To me, that means I will be on the road less time and my engine will be in operation less time. In fact to travel 100 miles it will take me 1.42 hours at the higher average speed versus 1.81 hours at the lower speed.

So, isn't it a wash??? Isn't the increase in gas mileage offset by the fact that I am turning the engine off earlier therefore using less fuel?

Maybe there is a Nester out there who is better at math than me, who can explain the problem with my logic.

Bronzebird

[JAB02LHS]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

100 MI /18 MPG = 5.56 GAL BURNED TO MOVE YOUR CAR 100 MILES
100 MI/ 23 MPG = 4.35 GAL BURNED TO MOVE YOUR CAR 100 MILES
assumes no idling time.

You need to look at distance not time, now if you get stuck for a couple of train crossings and a traffic back up all bets are off

[4thTBird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I hope not
It may be a wash, except to the LEO's. If the speed limit is lowered, the government will make more money off of fines since I believe more speeding tickets will be written.

[V8 Cat]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Yep, local governments are probably salivating over the possible lowering of speed limits - always looking for additional revenue. Look at the increase in speeding fines in VA. last year. 55MPH on an interstate is akin to torture. I know I did a lot of business traveling by car in the 1980s - AND I got most of my speeding tickets during that time. It's easy to let your attention wander for a few seconds, and you are up to at least 65. If they lower the limit to 55 MPH on the interstates, I think I would just rather not travel by car at all.

[SixPac]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I've already contributed to Georgia this year (73 in 55 zone). I will obey the speed limit going to the TBN event in Savannah next week.

[lovebirds]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Yep, local governments are probably salivating over the possible lowering of speed limits - always looking for additional revenue. Look at the increase in speeding fines in VA. last year.

And some places are putting a minimum fine for speeding on certain roadways...That adds up to more revenue.....

[Daktari]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Hi there,

I've just spent about 10 mins working this out and I too realize that time is not the important thing. You might get somewhere quicker by travelling faster but the motor will still drink more fuel.

I think? Gordon.

[EBird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I Can't Drive .................55 ........

[Sweet T]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I Can't Drive 55 ........

I'm with ya!

[Gobird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

OK, That idea suc-s!!!!!!!!!!!

[jims]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Here in Florida the only places speed limits are enforced are on interstates and state highways, so if I need to drive 80 mph I can do it on residential blvds like everyone else.

[yelobird2002]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

By car faster uses more fuel is true. But by jet is another thing. Back in 1974 when Nixon mandated 55 MPH he also lowered the speed of Air Force 1 by 200 MPH from around 600 MPH to 400 MPH. Planes fuel usage is figured by the hour. Didn't take long and the Goverment figured out that at the lower speeds the plane was in the air hours longer and was using more fuel. It wasn't 30 days and Air Force One was back up to speed.

[5bird7]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Just heard on the news that one of our federal legislators is proposing a reinstatement of the 55 Mile Per Hour limit on highways to conserve fuel.

Now, maybe my math is screwy but here is my observation:

If I drive at 70 miles per hour I get 18 mpg in my T-Bird.

If I drive at 55 miles per hour I get 23 mpg.

So, I get 28% better gas mileage at the lower speed BUT I am going 28% faster.

To me, that means I will be on the road less time and my engine will be in operation less time. In fact to travel 100 miles it will take me 1.42 hours at the higher average speed versus 1.81 hours at the lower speed.

So, isn't it a wash??? Isn't the increase in gas mileage offset by the fact that I am turning the engine off earlier therefore using less fuel?

Maybe there is a Nester out there who is better at math than me, who can explain the problem with my logic.

Bronzebird

Rick, not sure why you're getting such low gas mileage at 70 on your tbird?
When I'm on the freeway at 70 to 80mph - my average is close to 25mpg sometimes as high as 28. it's the intown driving that is the killer on gas mileage, bringing it down to below 20.

I certainly couldn't handle a 55 mph again after living thru it in the 70s and 80s.

[bronzebird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Dot:

I was just using those numbers as an example.

In fact, on a recent trip to Tennessee my average was 25.9 and that included a lot of mountain driving.

Bronzebird

[islandtime]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I Can't Drive 55 ........

Me neither.

Just a warning for any of you heading north to Savannah on I-95...Officer "bubba" sure loves speeders around Darien, Ga. Watch out!