General Diesel Discussion Talk about general diesel engines (theory, etc.) If it's about diesel, and it doesn't fit anywhere else, then put it right in here.
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View Poll Results: Have high fuel prices slowed you down?
I run the speed limit -10 below
43.41%
I run 5-10 above the speed limit
43.90%
I still run 10-20 above the speed limit
4.88%
Speed limit? I hammer from fuel stop to fuel stop!
7.80%
Voters: 205. You may not vote on this poll

Slow down or cry?

Old Mar 17, 2008 | 12:51 PM
  #1  
RollOver Pete's Avatar
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Slow down or cry?

With the climbing fuel prices,
slowing down 5-10mph helps increase your fuel mileage.
In fact, I doubt that most people in here have the discipline that it takes to set and leave the cruise control at 63-65mph.
So who in here has truthfully changed their driving habits by slowing down?

I've been able to see 15.8 -16 mpg's hand calculated running 65 in a 11,000lb truck.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 01:20 PM
  #2  
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I made a 30 mile trip the other day down interstate, set the cruise on 65 and my overhead read 32mpgs...but of course it's normally 5-7 off and I was drafting with an 18 wheeler but even then, I was still pulling some pretty mpgs. I have slowed down and have noticed more people are doing the same.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 01:23 PM
  #3  
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From: Nevada
I haven't slowed down, but I usually don't drive that fast either. I usually do the speed limit or 5-10 above.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 02:20 PM
  #4  
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From: Ohio: Home of the disappointing sports teams
I keep hammered. Company pays for my fuel
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 03:34 PM
  #5  
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From: Dixon, IL
Well, around town the 4.10's I had netted me 16-18 mpg, depending on if I was showing off or not. And on the highway once I got 21 mpg, all hand calculated I loved my 1st Gen

Jon
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 03:35 PM
  #6  
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FAY
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From: Western, Canada
higher velocity higher fuel consumption

When my compartatively heavy diesel truck is empty I drive the speed limit, which is fast enough for a diesel work truck sitting high off the road. In our light gasoline powered pickup people mover I drive 10-20 over the speed limit. Both units have a 3.73 differential ratio. When my diesel's box is loaded or when pulling a load I like to drive 10 below the speed limit just in case there is an unexpected problem, plus it takes longer to get stopped when the velocity is higher and a deer or another vehicle gets in the way. If I could afford it and really wanted to travel at high velocity, I would purchase a BMW 535i automobile.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 04:09 PM
  #7  
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From: barrie ont canada
i still speed but take my time getting there and vary little blowing smoke at others lol but when someone edited by admin me off on the road i then dont care bout fuel and blow smoke lol but yes fuel cost hav afected me and driveing

Last edited by Totallyrad; Mar 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM. Reason: Profanity
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 04:50 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by FAY
If I could afford it and really wanted to travel at high velocity, I would purchase a BMW 535i automobile.
I had one - what a POS. OTOH, bought my 3 series with less than 5 miles on it, now it has 116K and a lifetime average of 28.8 mpg. It's been such a nice car, I decided to get the 5 series in 2004. Big mistake.

On a trip from Chicago to Las Vegas last year, I averaged 85 mph/30.4 mpg in the 3. I had the cruise set at 120 across much of NE and CO (until I got close to Denver).

Denver to Las Vegas is the nicest drive I've ever experienced.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 05:06 PM
  #9  
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From: Rock Springs, WY
I'm staying at the speed limit or less. I use to drive around 5mph above. My truck idles very little now too. My last fill up cost $107.50 so I'm doing everything I can to keep the mileage up and the driving down.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 05:27 PM
  #10  
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I went on a 140 mi trip over the weekend and set the cruise to 63 in a 65. People were flying around me like I was sitting still. I may be concerned on fuel prices, but a lot are not. A lot of of them were 18 wheelers too.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 06:21 PM
  #11  
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I've slowed down a bit while towing...I used to tow at 65 - 70, now I keep it closer to 60. Makes a slight - but noticable - difference.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #12  
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From: west central Florida
I tried running 60mph with my Cummins powered Rams and with the Hemi powered Ram. Towing and empty it makes a slight improvement. Not enough to make up for the painfully boring ride while the rest of the traffic blows by. I just run the speed limit and enjoy the ride.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 08:23 PM
  #13  
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From: wilson,ny
life is short- i still drive the same way and still take my wife for sunday cruises.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #14  
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From: South Indy
I have been driving conservatively for a few years now anyway. I'm 27 and have just gotten to the point of driving responsibly and not so much like a teenager. With prices the way they are now I definitely and trying to keep my speeds down, especially on the interstate. I usually peg it right about 55-60, since I live in/around metro Indy the interstates are 55 until you get a little farther out then it bumps to 65-70. Even then I still drive around 55-60. Most everyone else is still driving close to if not faster than 70 around though. Doesn't seem like many are taking into consideration the fact that slowing down can save a lot more fuel/gas than they think.
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Old Mar 17, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #15  
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From: Schaefferstown, PA
I used to drive 5-10 over the limit, but I've started going the speed limit or even slower. Anything over 65mph and my mileage really starts to drop.
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