The View From 32


JULY 15, 2007  

Save gas—it's not that hard

We all want to save the planet. We want to save gas. We want simpler lives. OK, here's how you can do at least two of the three right now, without making any big effort. Slow down.

Some assumptions before we continue (if these aren't true for you, my idea won't help much):

  1. you do a fair amount of freeway driving on a regular basis
  2. you habitually drive 5-10 mph over the speed limit
  3. your car has cruise control

Still with me? Good. Now let's move on to saving gas, etc.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, take a look at my secret recipe: I'm driving 62 mph in 60 mph zone, and I've got the cruise control on.

If you're like me, driving at the speed limit just feels too slow. I used to drive 7 mph over the limit, because I'd heard that you'd rarely get a speeding ticket if you weren't going at least 10 mph too fast.

I did a little research and found that reducing your speed 5 mph could result in a 5-10% increase in gas mileage. Using cruise control when possible on the highway saves by reducing gas-wasting speeding up and slowing down.

After trying this for more than a month and checking my gas mileage over at least four tanks of gas, my 2002 PT Cruiser has gone from 20 mpg to 22 mpg in normal half-city, half-highway driving. The savings: 10%. The cost: zero.

An unexpected benefit: less stress. With my speed set just above the limit, I never have that moment of panic when I spot the police cruiser lying in wait under the bridge. I know I'm not going to get busted. I serenely cruise along, passing the occasional law-abiding motorist (yes, there are some), not constantly jockeying for position to see who I can pass next.

This isn't a new idea, of course. Some of you may be old enough to remember the national 55 mph speed limit enacted during the gas crisis of the 70s.

55 mph bumper stickersThere's even a Drive 55 organization that's promoting the idea of slowing down to save gas... and more.

So even if you're not ready to commit to scale all the way back to 55, take the first step: slow down. A 5-10 mph reduction in speed should give you savings in the 5-10% range.

All of us—you, me, and the polar bears—will benefit.


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