General Ford Ranger Discussion General discussion of the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

People have slowed down

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Old 07-19-2008
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People have slowed down

Have you guys noticed what I've been noticing?

Ever since 87 octane has hit $4 a gallon, I've decided to slow down to 65mph on the freeways I drive. In the past I've always drivin at the max speed limit of 70 in the ranger. Which usually nets me 20.5 to 23 instant mpg (scanguage) depending on the conditions like hills, temps, ect..

Slowing 5mph has picked my MPG up a bit. About 1 to 1.5mpg on avg so far.
I even have done this the last few trip I've made to Tenn too. It adds a little more time to the 600mile trip.. but not much really.

And get this.. I've been supprised that more and more people are doing the same thing. Semis are going slower.. and I've noticed that a good 15-20% of the cars on the road are now doing it too.

In times past on my daily commute most folks will drive 75mph or so. I've almost always been one of the slower ones cause I keep er down to 70.
And you always have the oblivious folks who are gonna go 10 under no matter what.

Even yesterday morning on the way to work I saw **only one** full size SUV going 75+ This is definately not the norm for the roads I travel.

What are you guys seeing?

Rich
 
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Yep. Mass transportation ridership has also been picking up in a big way.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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Around here people still go as fast as ever. It seems like drivers have gotten stupider now more than ever.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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My speedo is off so I have no idea what speed I'm doing on the highway. My mpg is **** too so I'm getting crappy mpg either way. I usually stay in the lane next to the far left lane and go the speed others are going unless I run into some moron going slow.
 
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Rich, I am seeing the same thing as well. My Jeep gets me the best mileage at 55, but that isn't reasonable freeway speed. So, I keep her around 70 (2000rpm) and I average 19-20.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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I have not noticed it much. Gas is under 4$ now.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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Originally Posted by 04blackedge
Around here people still go as fast as ever. It seems like drivers have gotten stupider now more than ever.
Same here man Ive seen more Smart cars and Prius cutting people off driving in the shoulder, and almost causing major accidents tho.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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i drive the same as always, screw the price!
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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I've noticed I've been getting passed less
 
  #10  
Old 07-19-2008
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i see a lot of those s--- boxs around now. people are buying them up here in nj.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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Originally Posted by wydopnthrtl
Have you guys noticed what I've been noticing?

Ever since 87 octane has hit $4 a gallon, I've decided to slow down to 65mph on the freeways I drive. In the past I've always drivin at the max speed limit of 70 in the ranger. Which usually nets me 20.5 to 23 instant mpg (scanguage) depending on the conditions like hills, temps, ect..

Slowing 5mph has picked my MPG up a bit. About 1 to 1.5mpg on avg so far.
I even have done this the last few trip I've made to Tenn too. It adds a little more time to the 600mile trip.. but not much really.

And get this.. I've been supprised that more and more people are doing the same thing. Semis are going slower.. and I've noticed that a good 15-20% of the cars on the road are now doing it too.

In times past on my daily commute most folks will drive 75mph or so. I've almost always been one of the slower ones cause I keep er down to 70.
And you always have the oblivious folks who are gonna go 10 under no matter what.

Even yesterday morning on the way to work I saw **only one** full size SUV going 75+ This is definately not the norm for the roads I travel.

What are you guys seeing?

Rich
x2. Same here, I used to drive 70 MPH on the highway and now do 65. Not only do you get better mileage, but a less stressful of a drive from not feeling rushed. You know, it's funny because the majority of the time the ones speeding are driving the large gas hog SUVs lol
 
  #12  
Old 07-19-2008
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people round here seem to drive the same, so've I, I just ride my bike to work and wherever more now.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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I still drive 85 on the highways and everything.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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when gas went up, I moved 50 miles closer to work. The gas savings pays the rent. I haven't been on the interstate in months.
 
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Old 07-19-2008
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Originally Posted by graniteguy
when gas went up, I moved 50 miles closer to work. The gas savings pays the rent. I haven't been on the interstate in months.
So does that 50 miles closer to work count as your backyard? lol
 
  #16  
Old 07-19-2008
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i'm about 10 miles away now. It got to where the wife and I were both driving the 60 miles one way almost daily. I rented my house for the same as the mortgage payment. The house were are renting is $500 less than my house payment. We are sitting pretty good now.

Some guys get a daily driver to save gas. We got a daily house. lol.
 
  #17  
Old 07-19-2008
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people here still drive the same. and so do i. gas prices arent an issue for me.
 
  #18  
Old 07-19-2008
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I don't drive on the freeway much, so I can't say about that, but city driving...there seems to be more cars on the road than ever around here. Some streets are just packed with cars.
 
  #19  
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My employer pays 100% for me to take the commuter train to the city. Then its a 5 minute walk to/from the station to my office. Its also a ~30 second drive or walk form my house to the station in town. The time to drive vs taking the train is identical.

Drive the 40 mile round trip: $200/mo + miles on the truck.
Take the train round trip: $0/mo + no miles on the truck.

Life is good.
 
  #21  
Old 07-19-2008
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i paid 3.93 today it was bad ***!
 
  #22  
Old 07-19-2008
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I do about 70 on the highway.

Getting 10mpg is GREAT


i paid 3.93 today it was bad ***!
I paid 3.99 and then 3.89!!
 
  #23  
Old 07-19-2008
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Not really much change out here... I actually saw a Titan going about 80 weaving in and out of traffic... people here always speed up then slow down and the imports always zoom by... not much has really changed
 
  #24  
Old 07-20-2008
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I make a point to pass every hybrid car I see. There's a lot of them. The drivers seem to think that going 5 km/h an hour under is a good idea... There seems to be a lot more road rage here too. I just laugh in a kind of sad maniacal way as I continue to speed and burn way more dino bones than is necessary. 1.40 per liter here, come on OPEC I aint broke yet!
 
  #25  
Old 07-20-2008
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didnt slow saskatchewan or alberta down any, i still do 75-80 mph and im getting passed by big jacked up one tons...
 

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