Huck BB62
Alaska
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Joined: 08/03/2007
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If it's not busy, I enjoy slowing down. When I make a rolling road hazard out of myself and after about the 500th semi has to go around me, well, I figure the extra ten bucks of fuel for the trip is a better alternative to causing a pileup that hazards others. Goint too slow is almost as bad of a hazard as riding the right lane through town!
'07 Roadtrek Popular 210
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Long_for_the_road
Chandler, AZ
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Joined: 02/15/2005
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David (Asheguy) wrote:I wasn't knocking you, just a little humor.
No problem - no offense taken - 
I had been wanting to do this for my own info for a long time. The ScanGauge is fairly new to us- it makes capturing this sort of information much faster and easier (vs. burning a whole 30 gallon tank - and still not really knowing due to fill-to-fill variations)
Glad to hear it was interesting to others - though one needs to get away from the high traffic areas before it becomes a viable option IMO (we did the test very early Sunday morning)
Shane
'99 Ford Extended van (converted)
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topless
Wichita, KS
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Joined: 08/03/2004
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Nice information. Don't "feel guilty" about burning the fuel, it's your fuel.
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david_42
Oregon
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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I suspect if most vehicles had something like a Scangage on them, most people would slow down. Others either don't care, need speed, or don't look at the dashboard anyway. A former co-worker bought an Aero & could not understand why he didn't get the EPA rated mph while driving 85. Spent the first four months screaming at the dealer about it.
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CSG
ID
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Joined: 03/02/2001
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I should have added in my post earlier that I try not to drive interstates anymore than necessary. The B's are made for Blue Highways and a slower pace of travel IMO.
2001 GMC EC 2500HD, 4x4, 6.0 V8
2007 Nash 27-5B
2002 Pleasure-Way Traverse
1990 Lance Squire 4000
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studio_driver
Calgary, AB Canada
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Joined: 11/08/2007
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Interesting results that agree with the chart given at:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
Since we have everything we need with us at all times, we don't see the need to speed. In addition, we often travel in areas where wildlife can be on the highway.
Take your time, enjoy the trip!
2007 PW Excel TS
2 adults and a collie-cross
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topless
Wichita, KS
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If I wanted to get there fast, I wouldn't be driving anyway. If I wanted to drive there fast, I wouldn't be in a 8000 lb van either. Besides it's hard to relax when you're breaking the speed limit, I used to stay awake by speeding.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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Long_for_the_road wrote:Following data for our van (5.4L, 4 spd auto, 3.55 final drive ratio, high top, 1999 Ford E350 van, with 196,500 miles on it). We drove a local freeway loop that is slightly more than 20 miles, so 120+ miles total....Shane What also needs to be pointed out from your experiment, is the difference in cost (MPG readings are just numbers). Taking the numbers given as fact, your drive of 120 miles (using a gas cost of $3.50/gallon)could have cost:
1. $21.88 getting 19.2 MPG (best)
2. $24.93 getting 16.85 MPG (average)
3. $28.38 getting 14.8 MPG (worst)
I often have to remind myself whether it is worth driving clear across town to save 10 cents a gallon. My purchase may be 30 gallons, so would save $3.00; but I'll burn a gallon of gas going across town and back.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy
Gene
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juliev
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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I wish I could get that thru my mother in law's head. She'll drive 30 miles to save 8 cents a gallon. Her little car holds 15 gallons, she gets 22 MPG. She saves $1.20 in the cost of her tank of gas, but she uses almost 1.5 gallons at $3.52 per gallon to get there and back. I've spelled it all out for her, shown her the figures on paper, and it just doesn't connect.....
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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topless
Wichita, KS
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I understand, I've had the same discussion with my MIL.
I did find fuel 25 cents less 7 miles away, but with a 27 gallon tank and getting 20+ mpg, it was worth the trip.
There's something wrong when you're happy to find diesel for under $4 a gallon.
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