Better Gas Mileage

I am writing this post thinking that there is probably no one left reading it. After not writing for almost a full year, I don't blame whatever readers I might have had for abandoning me. But I'm here and posting this because I think it's an important topic.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I've never been meek behind the wheel. As far back as I can remember I've had a taste for speed and what some might term 'progressive' driving. Then, after living for ten years in Boston, I turned downright aggressive. Some of that was self-preservation in that city of moronic drivers, but it all came too naturally and I never really fell out of those bad habits.

Now the world has changed and I've recently started trying to get better gas mileage when I drive. The high price at the pump has provided some of the inspiration to do so, but so has the fact that the people who benefit most from those high prices are the same extremists that target our country and its citizens in their unholy terrorist campaigns. It seems irresponsible and even unpatriotic to drive at top speeds wasting gas and funding jihadists.

Now, instead of jumping on the gas pedal from a traffic stop I ease up to speed slowly, never revving the engine beyond 2000 RPM. And no more 85MPH on the highway - instead I do 60. And yes, it takes a little longer to get to my destination but I don't mind spending ten more minutes in the car on an hour's drive if I'm saving gas.

Most people aren't thrilled to get behind me on the highway and they usually pass at the earliest possible chance. But I've noticed fairly frequently that one or two cars will fall in line with me and stay behind me going 60. I view these drivers as like-minded individuals who realize there is a cause greater than their own self-interest. And when I come upon someone who is going slower than I am, I get in-line behind them. Then I'm no longer the slow-poke and I get to save more gas.

Another technique I'm using is coasting. If I have enough momentum to coast to a stop sign or down a hill when driving in-town, I'll throw it into neutral and let Isaac Newton's laws of physics propel me forward. The engine goes to idle speed and I use almost no gas during that time. Then, when it's time to accelerate, I just throw it into gear and go on. This works with automatic and manual transmissions.

In the month that I've been doing this I have dramatically increased the mileage I get from our cars. Lori's Nissan Murano went from getting 21.1 MPG combined city and highway to getting 26.5. My E320 was getting 26 MPG and not gets over 30. I haven't driven the Tacoma through a full tank of gas yet, but I was getting 21 MPG with that. I'll update this post when I have those numbers.

An added benefit to driving quietly is that I'm no longer as keyed-up behind the wheel. In the old days if someone challenged me on the road, I was inclined to show him who was boss. Now I just shake my head and think how much gas they could be saving. Sure, once-in-a-while, I'll rev it up for one reason or another, but so far, I'm pretty happy (self-satisfied?) with my ability to save money and lower my gasoline consumption.