carbon footprint rant

[washita]

I like to think my carbon footprint is eco-friendly, but when I have to trailer the PT behind someone driving a hybrid for 20+ miles I tip the scales unfavorably when I pass them enroute to my destination. Lets do the math, hybrid getting 40mpg (?) driving 45 mph (to conserve fuel) on state highway vs estimated 4500lbs plus with holley 850cfm spread bore (4.10 rear gears) at wot to pass said hybrid and not endanger lives of others in the process, I am sure more fuel was burned to pass said hybrid than would be consumed to drive said hybrid at 55 mph. Oh-well ''it is what it is'' :confused2:

 

[Tractor Beam]

No question about it, we Americans are generally arrogant, impatient, and hypocrites when it comes to putting our words to action. I applaud the person actually making a difference, and perhaps they should be mindful of people wanting to get on the other side of them, and pull over so they could pass.

 

[powerpace]

The person driving the Hybrid would probably drive just as slow with a conventional vehicle. The case for burning excess fuel by passing rapidly after following for 20 miles at 45 mph doesn't hold water. In my thinking you save one-gallon of fuel by driving at 45 mph for 20miles.

Fifty-five mph would be normal posted speed for most of this state (Oregon).
A large amount of the roads are posted at 45 and under depending upon the conditions.

Driving a Hybrid is not any different than a conventional car. In the Prius (which I drive) the only adjustment is driving fast up hills. Up hill driving kills any ones fuel milage. In the regenerative Prius' drive-train the downhill side will more than make up for the uphill drive.

 

[rsewill]

...Lets do the math...

Ok, assuming you are going to run legal, in most states you would be doing 55 on a two lane road. That means for every 20 miles you will save about five minutes by passing that 45 eco-lover. Tough call for some but as a truck driver (retired) it was an easy call; I didn't pass when I was in my big truck. Simply not worth it for many reasons. And if there is a traffic light that you have to stop at there is a fair chance that eco-lover will catch you just as you reach 45 on the other side of that light.

 

[creekbend]

Ok, assuming you are going to run legal, in most states you would be doing 55 on a two lane road. That means for every 20 miles you will save about five minutes by passing that 45 eco-lover. Tough call for some but as a truck driver (retired) it was an easy call; I didn't pass when I was in my big truck. Simply not worth it for many reasons. And if there is a traffic light that you have to stop at there is a fair chance that eco-lover will catch you just as you reach 45 on the other side of that light.

Well stated.

 

[MossRoad]

I like to think my carbon footprint is eco-friendly, but when I have to trailer the PT behind someone driving a hybrid for 20+ miles I tip the scales unfavorably when I pass them enroute to my destination. Lets do the math, hybrid getting 40mpg (?) driving 45 mph (to conserve fuel) on state highway vs estimated 4500lbs plus with holley 850cfm spread bore (4.10 rear gears) at wot to pass said hybrid and not endanger lives of others in the process, I am sure more fuel was burned to pass said hybrid than would be consumed to drive said hybrid at 55 mph. Oh-well ''it is what it is'' :confused2:

I'm on your side. If you can't drive the speed limit ( or just plain won't drive the speed limit ) get out of the way of others just for the sake of common courtesy.

 

[MuncyBob]

"The person driving the Hybrid would probably drive just as slow with a conventional vehicle. "

If I didn't know better I would have said you were following my wife in our Cavalier! She will never get a speeding ticket

.....and the comment about catching up at the next light, so true. I have a short 15 mile trip to work on the local interstate. Usually I putt-putt along about 5 mph over the speed limit which is 65. The interstate is I-180 and I swear 90% of the people think that's the speed limit. Many times when I take my exit I wind up directly behind the yahoo that passed me off going 85.

 

[MossRoad]

That's one of the scary things about hiway driving. Let's take I94 through Chicago as an example. In light traffic you can go the speed limit and get right through Chicago in about 30 mintues. In heavy traffic that is moving well, you may have to go 10-15 MPH over the speed limit to just stay with the flow. If you attempt to go the speed limit you will become a hazard to everyone else on the road and risk a very good chance that you will be rear ended or side swiped. However, when there is that much traffic the speeds tend to go up and down in waves due to merging traffic. And even though you spend a considerable amount of time well above the speed limit, it still takes you an hour to get through town in heavy traffic due to those waves. And if you attempt to leave enough safety distance between you and the car in front of you, someone else will just cut in, so you have to brake, which causes everyone else behind you to brake, which causes a wave in traffic, etc...

So, my advice to everyone is try to go with the flow of traffic. Tailgate relentlessly so as not to disrupt the flow of traffic. Stay in the right lane if you are not willing to risk your life for the good of your fellow man and never use your turn signals as it just causes someone else to use their brakes. :thumbsup:

 

[SpringHollow]

I disagree with the "do not use your turn signals" even though I understand why you say it. They are an added level of safety in case you miss seeing someone who is there or if someone else is moving into the same spot, etc.

Ken

 

[cqaigy2]

I disagree with the "do not use your turn signals" even though I understand why you say it. They are an added level of safety in case you miss seeing someone who is there or if someone else is moving into the same spot, etc.

Ken

I agree, use the turn signals. Nobody slows down unless there's they see someone on the other side of the highway parked. Then the side your on slows down for some reason.:laughing: