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Post by Tex on May 13, 2011 10:51:26 GMT -6
The Mississippi flood combined with Memorial Day is going to be ugly on refined product supply. Look for a big spike in gasoline priced for a few weeks.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2011 11:34:42 GMT -6
Already happened here. Gas was 4.29 a little over one week ago. Then dropped to 3.99 in the aftermath of the OBL event, in the past two days its jumped back up to 4.19.
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 13, 2011 12:08:21 GMT -6
$4.37 here yesterday.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 13, 2011 13:03:56 GMT -6
I paid $3.81 this morning in north Bergen county N.J. On a wackier note: I've been watching the gas mileage of my Ford Econoline. This past week I checked the mileage and drove "civilized" for the best possible result, I got 14 MPGTwo weeks ago I tried mimicking the actions of a Prius, by turning the engine off in stopped traffic, coasting on downhills and turning the engine off on long downhill grades (gliding for up to 2 miles at over 70 mph!) The result was: l
Less! 13.75 MPG for a weeks worth of clap on clap off driving! |
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Post by innit Geezer on May 13, 2011 13:04:57 GMT -6
and I coasted everywhere!
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Post by Chicago Jake on May 13, 2011 13:57:57 GMT -6
That's not surprising. Turning your engine on and off is a very inefficient way to use your fuel.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 13, 2011 16:40:13 GMT -6
I was surprised though, the engine was off as much as possible. Long downhill highway stretches had me coasting for 25 miles (best guess total) and the engine was never on at traffic lights.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2011 16:44:08 GMT -6
Gary, a couple things... first off, how was your acceleration and braking? Thats a major component for gas mileage. Its not too much of an exaggeration to say, you have to accelerate like there was an egg between your foot and the pedal and your goal is to not break the egg. Also your braking, everytime you brake you are essentially turning gasoline into heat rather than movement, this is where hybrids make there major mpg gains, they convert some of that kinetic energy back into potential energy in the batteries.
Second, a Ford Econoline aerodynamically sucks and you probably have a big old honking engine in there with a transmission that most likely isnt set up with gas mileage in mind. No matter what you do with that thing you arent going to get significant mpg gains, DID YOU SLOW DOWN? Your best bet with any vehicle is going 55 rather than 65 or 75. I get about 15% better when Im doing 65 instead of 75, and another 10-15% if I limit myself to 55. So there you have to calculate if you save more $$ in gas than the extra time you spent is worth.
As to turning the engine on/off, at idle the breakeven point is about 30 seconds. If you know that you are not going anywhere for 30 seconds, you are better off turning the engine off.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2011 16:47:56 GMT -6
The transmission gearing is very important. They did this on BBC's Top Gear. They ran a Prius as fast as they could around their test track, with a Lamborghini right on its tail the whole time. At the end of the test the Lambo had better gas mileage, the reason was the Lambo was geared to go much faster than it was running, while the Prius was flat out. The Lambo used its engine's power much more efficiently in that environment.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 13, 2011 17:09:41 GMT -6
Yes Gordon, the Econoline is as aerodynamic as a brick and it's gearing is more for low speed pull (3:73 differential) but even with an overdrive it doesn't help much. I agree the lower highway speeds are the best answer.
There are downhills in Orange County where a vehicle can coast up to 90mph if you let it.
Tomorrow I have a long drive, I'm off to pick up my daughters apartment belongings upstate, a 4 1/2 hour drive. I'll do a separate test of just highway mileage. The van is nearly empty (not even a spare tire) I'm guessing it will get 18mpg. Coming home loaded with make-up, blow dryers, an old TV and a funky old couch or 2 might be a different matter.
Tomorrow night should be fun, there's an old village with lots of pubs and restaurants. One in particular is very old, dark and kind of Gothic, having a feeling of being on the Munsters film set. I'll try and grab a picture.
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Post by innit Geezer on May 14, 2011 12:13:00 GMT -6
15.75 mpg using the cruise control at 70 mph. that's highway mileage! It cost $72.50 to go 277 miles.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 14, 2011 13:18:50 GMT -6
... shouldnt that post be in triplicate?
Edited: actually that sounds about like what I used to get with my old Econoline.
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Post by bigdog8088 on May 17, 2011 3:24:19 GMT -6
15.75 mpg using the cruise control at 70 mph. that's highway mileage! It cost $72.50 to go 277 miles. Gary, Last Oct. I bought a 2010 Silverado extended cab..with the additional cost motor and 6 speed trans....I inflate the tires to max recomended plus a few....Set the cruise at 64 and the best it has returned is 21.75 mpg mostly highway....Not too bad for a 5200 LB pickup .....4 x 4 |
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Post by innit Geezer on May 17, 2011 16:21:57 GMT -6
I agree, that is good mileage for such a heavy and purpose built vehicle, of course technology (2 overdrives etc) are in your favor.
Our new (for us) 2007 BMW X3 has gotten 29 plus mpg highway. I thought that was impressive.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 17, 2011 16:51:17 GMT -6
Already happened here. Gas was 4.29 a little over one week ago. Then dropped to 3.99 in the aftermath of the OBL event, in the past two days its jumped back up to 4.19. ... and now its back down to 3.89. Obviously timing is everything |
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 17, 2011 23:16:04 GMT -6
$4.19 here this morning. They say we could drop to $3.50 a gallon in a couple of weeks.
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