[u00mem9]

I've only owned my second-hand insight for a couple weeks but I have no complaints.

I have enjoyed the tips for improving fuel economy on this site. (I've been a fan of the 50 psi tire setting for many years prior to my Insight purchase) I've read many accounts on this site about the high fuel economy that can be achieved by slowing down. I've heard many people going 55 mph on the highway or even slower.

So, I made some rough calculations to help me consider slowing down...

I drive about 130 mi per day. I compared 2 scenarios: #1) maintaining a average speed of 55 mph and returning 80 mpg. #2) maintaining a 72 mph average and returning 60 mpg. Some of you may think these numbers are high or low...perhaps you would do better or worse. But I just wanted a rough idea.

So assuming gas is $2.00 / gal... I calculated the money saved by slowing down: $1.08 ( per day by slowing from 72 to 55 mph)

Next I calculated the additional time required to make this slower commute: 33 minutes.

That works out to a return of $1.96 for an hour of my time. I realize getting high mpg numbers has become a bit of a hobby for some of you, so that enjoyment is neglected by this analysis. But does anyone really think this is worthwhile??

I plan to speed up.

 

[u00mem9]

I created this topic, and as you said it was a simple 'value of time' vs. money/fuel consumption question.

The reason I feel it went so far off topic is that no one could counter the original hypothesis with a logic justification...so they had to turn to political justification.

My point was simple: 33 min to save a half gallon of gas doesn't make sense.

If you are truly concerned about your children's future...try spending that 33min with them instead of holding up traffic on the freeway. Frankly I doubt the people making that argument have any children to be concerned with :lol:

And the next time you baulk a tractor trailer rig on the highway, forcing him to change lanes and pass you, so that you can maintain 49.2 mph on an interstate freeway -consider the gallon of fuel he just burned since he could not maintain momentum...but you saved 38cc right?

I suppose since there were 48+ replies, including several that were several hundred words long...by the same person(!), I can understand why many might not sweat wasting 33min. :roll:

Peace!