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What was really a pisser for me about the 55 mph limit was that I'd bought a brand new 1972 BMW 2002 which got better fuel economy at 70-75 mph than at 55 mph.
As the car was designed to "come on the cam" and breathe at around 68 mph in 4th gear, you'd notice that it ran with a much lighter pressure on the throttle at that speed. At 55, it was way off the cam and labored in 4th gear on every rising grade on the highway ... enough so that it dropped the fuel mileage from 28-29 mpg down to 25 mpg at 55 mph.
If I'd have known that the 55 mph limit was coming, I'd have not sold my 1602 BMW or my 1300cc Alfa ... both were very happy and smooth at 55 mph and got better fuel economy at that speed.
I spent most of the first years of the 55 limit commuting on my 250 Ducati (88-90 mpg) or a 750 Ambassodor MotoGuzzi (55-58 mpg) but winter weather turned me back to my BMW ... and then, my 1971 MB 220D (32-33 mpg, but it wasn't fast enough to even be rated as "slow". Some said you could time it's 0-60 with a sundial) which was adequate to maintain 55-60 mph. Seeking out even better fuel economy, I went to the Audi and Peugeot diesels, which could get into the 40 mpg range. And got serious about aviation, where I could travel to my clients in a lot less time.
And BMW's still are that way. My BMW Z4 gets better fuel efficiency at 65 - 75 than 60 and 55. If I go any faster than 65 on Seattle highways I get pulled over because it's a Z4 and nevermind the SUV that's barrelling down the highway at 120, my little beemer gets pulled over.
My 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe is rated for 24 highway but while cruising at 75 mph, I got 25.7 mpg and that was with the A/C on in the middle of the desert in June! I dropped it to 70 and my mileage dropped also to a mere 20 mpg...hmm.
same here, between 70-80 mph, my camry gets 27-29 mpg! and thats with a/c on, and the trunk and backseats filled. I've even driven with all 4 windows halfway down (aero mode) and still get 27-28 on long distance trips at 75 mph.
That vid was the only positive thing to come from the 55 law.
You got that right. Although, the municipalities that wrote speeding tickets had a massive increase in revenue. I'm sure they see that as great, not so good for the rest of us.
Location: Still in Portland, Oregon, for some reason
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighPlainsDrifter73
You got that right. Although, the municipalities that wrote speeding tickets had a massive increase in revenue. I'm sure they see that as great, not so good for the rest of us.
True...some were far more lenient than others. Certain states didn't actually issue speeding tickets if you were above 55 but below another speed figure, usually 70. Instead they would issue 'energy-wasting' fines.
I think my dad's 2007 Acura RL was EPA rated for something like 23 mpg highway and each time he's taken a long trip with it on cruise control it's gotten him 29 to 30 mpg. This is not a little car we're talking about either; it's a big Japanese luxury car with a 290 horsepower V6 and tips the scales at 4,000 pounds even, closer to 4,500 if you throw in two people and luggage for a long weekend. But the thing has the tallest 5th gear I've ever seen. At 80 mph it's snoozing at just above 2,000 rpm.
Last edited by rosecitywanderer; 04-29-2009 at 11:12 PM..
True...some were far more lenient than others. Certain states didn't actually issue speeding tickets if you were above 55 but below another speed figure, usually 70. Instead they would issue 'energy-wasting' fines.
I think my dad's 2007 Acura RL was EPA rated for something like 23 mpg highway and each time he's taken a long trip with it on cruise control it's gotten him 29 to 30 mpg. This is not a little car we're talking about either; it's a big Japanese luxury car with a 290 horsepower V6 and tips the scales at 4,000 pounds even, closer to 4,500 if you throw in two people and luggage for a long weekend. But the thing has the tallest 5th gear I've ever seen. At 80 mph it's snoozing at just above 2,000 rpm.
I heard that Montana only issued a $5 ticket for driving between 55 and 75. And you're right, it was called an 'energy-wasting' ticket and didn't go on your driving record as a mover. It was the minimum they could do and still not lose federal highway funds. Again, this is what I heard, not sure if it was true.
On a trip from NH to FL and back my 1992 Buick Roadmaster Wagon (5,000 lbs of Real GM iron) maxed out at 27 mpg @ 70 mph on the flats of the Carolinas. The engine was turning 1800 rpm. Between the house and the bus station it gets more like 12 mpg.
I agree the 55 mph limit made scofflaws of all of us and the 65 is not much better. We usually cruise the slab at 72 on autopilot. The cops always pass us without a blink. Last week a Mass cop passed us to catch a Prius! for speeding. The Prius passed us, and the cop, at about 85-90 or so. I did not know they went that fast.
The 55 law was very good for the radar detector industry.
When the law first passed, three or four people in New York went out and drove 55 side by side in all fo the lanes. they casued a massive traffic jam and were ticketed for impeding the free flow of traffic.
I once told the police officer who pulled me over that I was going the speed limit. The sign said I-75. What was that supposed to mean? HE thought it was funny so he let me go.
I try to drive 55 (and I'm always in the far right lane) but people still want to tail gate.
Until they pay for my gas...screw them.
I am all for smarter stop lights because I can't stand to sit at a red light when NO ONE goes through it yet I have set there and wasted my gas.
I went to Memphis this past weekend and it seems as if I got stopped by every single light. Would have been a great time to have a hybrid.
Um, um, There is no great car to stop at every intersection in Memphis with!!!! Did you get stuck behind anyone that completely sat thru a greenlight? Go man go!!!!! I think it was a little harser than that when I was there and the clown in front of me would sit thru even the greenlights!
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