I think drivers are starting to slow down

pennwalk · Jun 12, 2008

A while ago I asked if trucks were slowing down.http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/117937-trucks-slowing-down-where-you.html I am starting to think that drivers are slowing down. Last weekend we drove to NY and most of the trucks were running 65 through NJ. I can remember driving through Jersey and if you were not running 85 you were in danger of being rear ended.The last month or so I have been getting on the highway and setting the cruise control to 65 and having no problem. Today when I got on the highway the right lane was running 60 so I tucked in and set it for 60. It is almost relaxing. Still a few people blowing by at 85 but it doesn't seem like there are as many. I noticed that many of the local trucks are running 65 or less. Maybe it is a delayed reaction to $4 gas. It is funny how it takes time for people to make an adjustment. My brother lives in Switzerland. They pay around $8 for gas and hardly drive at all. Of course they have good public transportation. Plus He lives 5 min. from work so he walks of rides his bike.

Chris

Tig · Jun 12, 2008

I think the roads are more tame these days. I set my cruise for the speed limit and I don't seem so out of place as I used to at thast speed.
My relatives from Switzerland were always amazed at how we would waste fuel warming up cars in winter and driving the distances that we do.

MossRoad · Jun 12, 2008

Go drive the Dan Ryan in Chicago! If you are not stopped in a traffic jam, you are going 80.

Wombat125 · Jun 12, 2008

I just read a newspaper article that stated every penny increase in the price of diesel equates to a $39 mm loss for the trucking industry. The gist of the article was that trucking companies are governing their trucks way down to save fuel.

I suspect that in the case of most big semis, it's not the drivers driving slower. It's just that their trucks won't go any faster.

crabjoe · Jun 12, 2008

Wombat125 said:
I just read a newspaper article that stated every penny increase in the price of diesel equates to a $39 mm loss for the trucking industry. The gist of the article was that trucking companies are governing their trucks way down to save fuel.

I suspect that in the case of most big semis, it's not the drivers driving slower. It's just that their trucks won't go any faster.

Yup, all the trucking companies are lowering the top speed for their governers.

I have a friend, who's family owns a trucking business. They reduced their were in the process of reducing their top speeds to 65, about a month ago. And even while setting them to 65, they were talking about setting them down to 64.

One mph... I couldn't believe it, but they told me even that can make a huge difference when your talking about a fleet of trucks that has to be fueled everyday.

Skyco · Jun 13, 2008

I'm seeing some drivers slowing down, problem is they won't stay out of the left lane

I'm all for slowing down but darn it, get the heck out of the way for those that still want/need to go the speed limit.

I recently drove about 150 miles at just below the speed limit, instead of 5 over as usual, to save fuel in my diesel pickup with 4.10 gears. I actually liked it. I found it relieved a lot of stress not having to constantly pass all the slower vehicles. Instead I just cruised along rarely having to change lanes and let everyone else jocky to pass me

I'm going to do that a lot more when I have no time schedule to meet- save fuel/money and ditch some stress- win-win

WTA · Jun 13, 2008

I'm driving a big diesel 4WD pickup with 4.10 gears. I'm only going 55 now! If someone doesn't like it they can go around! It's getting me about 10 MPG better than running 70. Diesel here is 4.65 right now. It was a little over 5 bucks a gallon last week but I'm sure it will go back up just as fast as it came down.

Yesterday I calculated my fuel mileage when we filled up and it's getting 28 mpg being easy on the throttle and sticking at 55. My wife couldn't believe it. She usually burns the most fuel in it trying to drive it like it is her old mustang.

pennwalk · Jun 13, 2008

I wonder what the mileage sweet spot is for different vehicles? When we used to have the speed limit down to 55 did that put most vehicles in the sweet spot?

Chris

mjarrels · Jun 13, 2008

Food Safety... Years ago when I was a Quality Assurance Supervisor for Perdue Farms, we had a independant truck driver who would turn off his refrigeration unit once he left the plant (diesel was much cheaper back then).
I wonder how many truckers are duing the same thing now with high diesel prices? Turn it off then back on once they reach their destination?

mark

Tig · Jun 13, 2008

From what I understand more wind = more gas burned, so slower is better. I now take the back roads to the country. 150 miles at 40 to 50 MPH. The engine turns at about 1500 RPM. I seem to burn half the fuel that I would on the highway at 65 to 70 MPH. (observation only, I have not calculated mileage) Part of that is due to the route being more direct. I enjoy the drive through the small villages. Last week I spotted a real nice MF 135 for sale. SWMBO would not let me stop to "just have a look".