The Myth of Fuel Economy and High Gas Prices

I agree. Many are still driving their large SUV's due to not being able to afford to make a change. Many of these people got sucked in when manufacturers started building more and more expensive SUV's and consumers started financing these for 84 months in order to keep up with the Jones'. When financing the vehicle for this long you're upside down for the majority of the time you own it. Compounding this problem is these vehicles have depreciated even more due to gas prices. Many are stuck and can't get out from under their vehicle.

I'm fortunate that I'm not hurting from gas prices like a lot of folks out there. I couldn't imagine struggling paycheck to paycheck just to watch the cost of your commute double in such a short time. I purchased my Prius primarily because I refuse to send any more money than I have to to countries that hate America. I'd pay $1 or more per gallon if there were "specialty" gas stations that guarantee that their fuel is 100% domestic.

Yes, I do have one 2008 vehicle that gets 12mpg on Premium but I'm fortunate that it's just a "play car". I drive it probably once every 2 or 3 weeks. I actually bought my Prius about 6 weeks after I bought this vehicle after it set in in my mind how much fuel I'd actually be using during my commute.

 

In addition to the higher cost associated with driving fast, most drivers don't realize what else it is costing them.

I commute 2 hours each day, mostly on a two-lane highway. I used to drive 5 mph over the speed limit everywhere I went. Not real fast, but still speeding. I used to get aggravated with slower drivers, I was in a hurry to get to work and in a hurry to get home. Hurry everywhere I went.

Then I started reading the Bible. One day, on my way home, I was thinking about what I had recently read. Something about obeying the laws of the land. I thought, I do obey them. Then I looked down at my speedometer.

Now I drive the speed limit. Nice and easy. Now my commute is peaceful, no aggravation. I'll get there when I get there. No big deal.

Most people I talk to don't speed because they are truly in a hurry to get somewhere. They just like to drive fast. Or they don't like being passed. Or peer pressure (I don't know how many times a passenger in my car has asked me how come I'm driving so slow).

Think about it. Do the math. For short trips going 5-10 mph over the speed limit isn't going to get you there much faster, maybe you'll save 1 minute or 2. Numerous times I'm passed on my way to work only to catch up with the speeder at the stoplight.

I think the OP said they were on a 360 mile trip. When you are going that far, speeding can get you there sooner. Maybe. If you don't get pulled over. If you don't have to stop for a break, etc. At 63 mph it would take about 5.7 hours. At 80 mph it would take 4.5 hours. So you'd save about 73 minutes. Is that time really saved though? What are you going to do for those 73 minutes? While I'm driving for 73 minutes longer, I have a chance to listen to a book on tape, or more music, or a podcast, or talk with my passengers, etc.

If I really need to be somewhere at a certain time, I just leave earlier. I'll get there, when I get there.

And don't get me started on how speed-related crashes are the number one cause of crashes. And injuries. And deaths. Just to save a minute. Or two. Or 73.

 

This is how I read this:

My first thought was, “Don’t read the Bible and drive!â€

I’m just messing around, you are right that people in a hurry really don’t save much of anything really. I guess this is just one of those lessons you learn when you get older.

I recently bought my first Prius. I kept my ’02 4Runner for camping and hauling around stuff. Even though I am making a third car payment I am saving more that half of it by commuting in the Prius. And I’ll save even more as the price increases.



James

 

I'm a big believer in "going with the flow", so to speak. Driving too fast is reckless. Driving too slow can force other drivers to be reckless. When I'm out on the highway and traffic is low I tend to drive pretty close to the speed limit. When traffic is heavy I tend to try and "blend in".

I figure that when I pass about the same number of cars that pass me I must be pretty close to the right speed. Of course that is just a guideline. Road conditions should always prevail.

The biggest change in my driving since buying the Prius is something that should apply to ALL cars, a lighter foot. From high school driver ed class (45 years ago when gas was $0.20 per gallon or less), smooth acceleration and anticipating stops were considered the goal. That helps the MPG on all cars, hybrid or not. I just find I am more conscious of it with the Prius.

Side Note: One morning at work a guy came in grumbling about getting a ticket. I told him I had a way to avoid tickets that was 100% effective. He looked doubtful. It was too simple, DON'T SPEED!

OK, I'm done, for now.

Bob

 

I had the same thing happen yesterday in "beautiful" South Jersey coming up the equally beautiful RT 295. An SUV passed me, cut in front and then slammed on his brakes so he could make the exit ramp.... 10 miles later I was greeted with a friendly "toot-toot" from another Magnetic Grey Prius... and all was forgiven. Life is good.

 

I think you're exactly right. If all cars had an instant feedback display like the Prius and everyone could see what effect their driving has on mpg things would change.

 

This morning, while driving our 2008, I was listening to the local news radio and the Florida Dept. of Transportation spokeswoman was complaining of lower tax revenues being generated from Hybrid cars, and they mentioned the Prius by name. She mentioned that the DOT "appreciated trying to reduce pollution, BUT..." and that's how the sound bite ended. O.K., note to governent and newsmedia, you can't have it both ways. What's next...a Hybrid Tax!?

 

Just wait, you haven't seen anything yet. You can put this in the bank...

If 100% electric (read plug-in) cars become practical, and popular, there will be some kind of electric tax based on your vehicle registration.

As for a Hybrid tax. I would not be surprised at all. Again, based on your registration. The fact that your, and my, Prius cause less road damage and cause less pollution is irrelevant. These state officials are so desperate for revenue that they are going to become very creative when it comes to putting their hands in our collective pockets.

And that's my $0.02 worth.

Bob

 

When I was a kid, cars were the thing....every kid on my block could instantly identify the latest model of this or that. Even so, I never thought a lot of large cars once the VW Beetle hit the market. I was ten when I saw my first VW and was impressed by the efficient design and unpretentious look.

I was into small cars when it wasn't cool, and now, finally, I'm being vindicated by the marketplace.

My partner and I were impressed by the amazing variety of cute, efficient and apparently well thought out small cars available in Europe (and Canada).

On NPR yesterday, a Ford executive, commenting on his company's first profitable quarter out of many, noted that "a lot of people in the Detroit area really don't need to be driving a F-10".......

 

I believe the words you're looking for are "enough" and "yet".

Gas is not expensive enough.....yet.

 

Seems to me that in my area speeds are down. I'm now driving 60 mi round trip to work and I have a lot of highway miles (about 1/2). NOONE drives 80 mph. I drive at the speed limit (65 mph) unless I'm going down hill, then I try to pick up some speed for the next uphill. While people do pass me, they're only going a few mph faster. No one blows past me and I actually pass a car here and there. Petrol is around $3.40/gal for regular (85) here.