Speed? ... What speed?

[saabman]

Hello

OK here in Europe the speed limits on the highways (or motorways as we call them ) are typically 120kph (75mph) for Switzerland, 130kph (80mph) for France, 70mph (113kph) for the UK ...

These are the countries I will be traveling most... Now my question is what cruising speed do you cruise at with your SMBs to get a good compromise between mpg, comfort and getting to destination in good time?

I currently set my speedometer at 70mph (I have a kph and mph speedo) and get good mpg (around 14-15) and it is quite comfy and not too noisy... consider that I have the 5.7 gas engine... Mind you the GPS indicates 100kph so the speedo is about 10kph underestimating...

I would be very interested to have your views, also if you have 2WD or 4WD and diesel or gas... Chevy or Ford...

[jage]

4x4 6.0 L Diesel, with the AC I get around 11.6mpg at 75mph. It gets a lot better, I'd say about 14.5 at 60mph. Been awhile since I ran the numbers and I've made changes since then.

[Ed in Montana]

With my 2006 6 litre diesel, I cruise around 65mph on the Interstates, which results in pretty decent mileage of 16.5 miles per gallon, although I have gotten as high as 17.5 mpg. I could go faster, but I don't like the bouncing on many of our potholed roads here in the Northern Rockies, and there are just too many suicidal deer.

[saabman]

thanx for your views

Really nice forum by the way

Yes cruising is the word I see now why cars are so different between Europe and the US because distances are not the same... Here most people drive at most 50 km for commute and that's it the rest is done by plane...

The thing I notice is it is much more relaxing driving 800 km with the Chevy V8... I am doing a 3000 km trip at Easter which will be my first "long" trip in the Chevy... hope I get the sleepingaccomodation done by then so far only got thinking

[jage]

Across Texas is about 1/2 that, 'cept it's mighty boring. Hope you've got a more interesting trip planned.

[LenS]

I used to drive faster. Now I try to hold 65mph while on trips. That gives me about 16mpg fuel economy and much better end of day outlook. We also plan on driving an average of 250 miles per day while on trips. More time to smell the roses.

[Greg In Austin]

We typically cruise at 55 or 60 mph.

The recent gas price rise had a bunch of folks looking at fuel economy. A couple of the big package delivery companies have rediscovered why 55mph was the speed limit during the oil imbargo days.

They discovered that they could increase their fuel economy by between 8% and 10% for each 5mph that they slowed moving from 70mph to 55mph.

We have seen the same thing in playing with our Prius fuel economy.

a savings of 24% to 30% can be significant.

[Greg In Austin]

Originally Posted by jage

Across Texas is about 1/2 that, 'cept it's mighty boring. Hope you've got a more interesting trip planned.

Hey Now !! ....Jage, remember that trip at Christmas ??

[jage]

That ain't 'cross, that's the top. The difference is as big as ... well... Texas.

[stiggs]

I like to go 75, but I tend to drive 65 to save on fuel and get about 14 - 15 mpg on a 2 wheel drive Ford



When the band is in Europe or drivers tend to do 85 + in the big sprinters full of gear and weary musicians