Published by JPLand on 23 Jun 2008 at 02:02 pm
A Driving Desire
A couple of months ago, I did a little experiment to determine how much my driving habits had to do with my gas costs. By dropping from 80 mph to 70 mph on the interstate and being more careful, I managed to save a grand total of $10 a month. Not measly, by any means, but also nothing to blog about. (see, that’s funny because I did blog about it.)
For the past week or two, I’ve altered my driving a little more to see if I can tweak the numbers a little more. By dropping down to 65 mph on the interstate, my mileage climbs more than the drop from 80 to 70. By my calculations, I can save around $20 a month by traveling at this reduced speed. Hey, now we’re talking!
There is this one small problem…driving 65 on the interstate will require me to have my car repainted within the next three months. There are vehicles blowing by me so fast that the tint is peeling off of my windows. It is crazy out there. I’ve even seen some sign language indicating the other driver’s desire to get to know me a little better. While the invitation is flattering, I’m usually not open to such offers from burly strangers.
But, there are people out there who are crazier than me. The hypermilers do their best to maximize every drop of fuel in their tank. The theory is sound and makes sense. Of course, there are those few who take the concept too far and violate traffic laws. The main problem, however, is that the theory only applies when one or two are doing it and there’s not much traffic around. Studies have shown that if more people start adopting these techniques or if the road is crowded, the net savings by this one person is consumed and surpassed by everyone else around that has to adjust their habits.
So, what’s the moral of the story? Saving money on gas is OK for me to do. However, you shouldn’t try it nor should you get mad at me for doing it.
PawPaw on 23 Jun 2008 at 5:40 pm #
Driving slower to save gasoline - next thing ya know you’ll be eating cereals with more fiber and watching the Hallmark Channel!!
JPLand on 24 Jun 2008 at 8:14 am #
I don’t mind eating fiber as long as it’s not topped with Picante. The Hallmark Channel thing is just silly. I’ve never heard of a grown man watching such a thing…at least not when there’s a perfectly good RFD channel on the airwaves.
Fadi G on 25 Jun 2008 at 8:48 pm #
You know, there is a great explanation as to why you saved more gas even though you reduced your speed by the same increment. You see, if you plotted the air resistance as a function of time and speed, you would end up with an exponential curve. That is to say, for each mile per hour you travel, the wind resistance grows at a greater rate than the speed. If this relationship produced a linear graph, then you would have ended up with you predicted result. The amount of money saved would have been equal for the same increment of reduced speed. However, since you are not really as smart as you let on, you were surprised to see that the amount of money saved grew even faster even though you slowed down by the same increment. All that to say, I am indeed the greatest flag football player…ever.
JPLand on 26 Jun 2008 at 6:02 am #
Mr. G,
I feel that I should respond to your discussion by addressing each point:
1) Your discussion does not include the fact that the fuel-injected, automatic engines are more efficient at higher gears. This fact coupled with the increasing drag most likely led to the federal speed limit of 55 mph years ago.
2) If the curve is indeed exponential, the drastic mileage would be more prominent at higher speeds than at lower speeds. I think that you’re referring to a polynomial where the slope is greater at lower speeds and then decreases as the speed increases.
3) I’ve never let on that I am smart. But, I should point out that my primary shortcoming is my lack of common sense. Intelligence rarely makes the conversation.
4) If I ever have to field a football team of people who spin around on one leg, you’re going to be my #1 recruit. If the opposing team is made of golf carts, I’ll call Seth.
Sincerely,
Shallow Thinker