Yes, you can drive 55
Regarding the July 22 editorial, “Go 55, but only if you want to,” and Peter Kauber’s comment of July 26 regarding voluntarily driving 55 mph to save fuel:
I have driven I-40, I-85, I-75, I-81 and I-77 as well as numerous non-interstate highways in a Jeep Cherokee and also in a motor home towing the Jeep. I drive in the right lane maintaining a speed of 55-60 mph and arrive at my destination relaxed and not “white-knuckled” and probably about 20 minutes behind Kauber.
Charles Miller
High Point
Comments (12)
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I will find out Monday, when I drive to Tennessee on 40. I plan to drive 55mph, one way, and 60 mph the other to check fuel mileage. One thing about going 55 mpg, the pot holes on 40, will not seem as bad. Seems Easley, raiding the highway fund, to fiance, Parton Theatre, tall ship rides, civil rights museum, and other vote buying shams have taken a toll on our roads.
Posted on August 2, 2008 5:45 AM
Hey Biting Dog .. forgive the thread theft .. but I just returned from a vacation, and part of that was a visit with my sister who is a Director at Duke.
I asked your question (paraphrased): Who pays for all those foreigners that go to Duke Hospital?
The answer: The foreigners pay .. CASH.
Happy?
Posted on August 2, 2008 5:56 AM
btw .. as you check fuel mileage driving 55mph one way and 60 mph the other ... do not forget to take local wind forces, elevation changes, outside temperatures, outside humidity, and traffic variences into account. Tire pressure too.
Posted on August 2, 2008 6:01 AM
One foot on the brake and one on the gas, hey!
Well, there's too much traffic, I can't pass, no!
So I tried my best illegal move
A big black and white come and crushed my groove again!
Go on & write me up for 125
Post my face, wanted dead or alive
Take my license n' all that jive
I can't drive É 55! Oh No! Uh!
Posted on August 2, 2008 7:12 AM
Hey Charles, what's with the motor home? Don't you realize you, yes you Charles, are hogging resources that the rest of us should have? Is that fair? Your motor home probably uses more fuel that a Hummer. How could you?
Posted on August 2, 2008 7:53 AM
The Messiah says to inflate your tires and keep your car properly tuned, and you can save energy and not have to worry about it. It's a simple thing. We don't need no stinkin' gas.
Posted on August 2, 2008 8:00 AM
neocon the pighater and blasphemer of the mandingo messiah: foot on the brake hard and on the acellerator at the same time is called "powerbraking"
Posted on August 2, 2008 8:03 AM
Hey Dog, it's not just Easley raiding the highway fund, it's those in the pockets of the road contractors. They are being paid to turn their backs at road construction and allow substandard materials and workmanship and there is no one who will stand up to them...the almighty dollar is more important. Consequently, the roads are built very poorly to begin with and need repair long before they should.
Posted on August 2, 2008 8:42 AM
JDR, you're right about the elevation change thing. Black Mt. sucks at least a gallon out of my car going up and practically none coming down.
Posted on August 2, 2008 10:06 AM
Good points on the elevation part of the equation. We discovered we get 4 more MPG going to the beach than we do coming home. So a true comparison on speed only works if you check going the same way.
Posted on August 2, 2008 1:33 PM
"Good points on the elevation part of the equation."
Maybe there's more downhill on the way to the beach Carol. I find I get better mpg going to Charlotte than coming back.
Maybe your engine is running too rich. In piston airplanes the pilot leans the gas mix going into the engine at higher altitudes to account for thinner air. But Greensboro is only a bit over 900 ft above sea level so it shouldn't make much of a difference.
Posted on August 2, 2008 2:41 PM
Drive 55 if you want to: there's no law against it. But PLEASE stay out of the left hand lane.
Posted on August 2, 2008 4:59 PM