Now on my 3 Euro car and all go into top gear at 100kph in NZ ,depends on how heavy your foot is . My current one has an 8 speed auto .
socram,
Nov 2, 9:43am
From your own article link:
"Every car has an optimal speed range that results in minimum fuel consumption, but this range differs between vehicle types, design and age."
Exactly.
It isn't a one size fits all statement that the most economical speed is 80kph. It might be for some cars, but definitely not all cars and definitely not ours. It also pays to use inertia down hill to give more speed up hill.
Cracks me up following someone uphill, who gets slower, and slower and slower, probably using far more fuel than changing down and maintaining speed. On Auckland's harbour bridge, the numpties are doing about 60kph which is exactly when traffic snarl ups start.
There was a study done in the UK I believe, where they worked out that one numpty braking or slowing unnecessarily in the right hand lane, on a busy motorway, caused traffic hiccups and tailbacks that went for 20 miles!
In NZ, if everyone travels at 100kph-105kph when it is safe to do so, there is no need for anyone to overtake and traffic usually maintains a safe following distance.
As soon as one numpty opts to drive at 75-80kph, those following distances soon close up and that is when the problems start.
Rash overtaking, frustration, lack of concentration and so on.
tygertung,
Nov 2, 10:00am
This article states the optimal tradeoff between fuel consumption and drag is around 80 km/h
You seem to be arguing with a lack of facts rather than one of emotion and stating that because your car has 9 gear it must, MUST be more efficient at higher speeds.
Just because a car has more gears, doesn't mean it is more efficient at higher speeds. It most likely has smaller gaps between each gear ratio. I doubt that the 5th gear on your 9 speed gearbox is the same ratio as the 5th gear on a 5 speed gearbox.
Please provide evidence to back up your assertions. You need to provide references to argue with any credibility.
Also please consider that your personal car probably isn't the average car on the road. I have never even heard of a car with a 9 speed gearbox before.
tygertung,
Nov 2, 10:01am
Also driving at 105 km/h is illegal, the speed LIMIT is 100 on the open road. That is the highest speed which one is permitted to travel, no matter how many gears ones car has.
socram,
Nov 2, 11:43am
You can find what you like on the internet to suit your argument.
"7. The Energy Saving Trust says that the most efficient speed you can travel in a car in terms of achieving the best fuel economy is 55-65mph. Any faster, though, and the fuel efficiency decreases rapidly."
I know that 105kph is illegal (in NZ), that isn't the issue. Credit me with some sense.
tygertung,
Nov 2, 12:59pm
Illegal.
tygertung,
Nov 2, 1:00pm
Do you have a link to your assertion? There seems to be a lot more evidence pointing to lower speeds being optimal.
I agree with what socram wrote. How many times have I been cruising along at a good clip in a line of traffic, then suddenly brake lights start coming on, only to find the cop tucked in somewhere.
alowishes,
Nov 2, 1:42pm
And majority of the time the line of traffic is cruising at just under 100kph - then on seeing the cop they drop back to 85kph, what the hell is that all about?
socram,
Nov 2, 1:47pm
It's usually only one dingbat that does that, then everything concertinas.
tygertung,
Nov 2, 11:44pm
You must be in a rush.
bill-robinson,
Nov 3, 1:16am
just trying to live life to the max the law will allow. lol
car__parts,
Nov 3, 6:52am
I wonder how many of the accidents involved unsafe cars. That could be just a waste of time having that add on TV. Some one has to buy those cars anyway.
tygertung,
Nov 3, 7:25am
Apparently the unsafe cars one is a bid dodgy when it comes to the star ratings because apparently you can buy a car which is 5 stars and a few years later the rating has dropped a whole heap, presumably because the newer cars are now safer.
Probably safest to have just any car and avoid driving.
bill-robinson,
Nov 3, 7:38am
the problem is changing the standards of testing,not the car. the other problem is web sites changing their reporting standards. just learn to drive. try to improve your driving everytime you get in a car. have no dostactions working while driving, radios.cd's,taps. phones that sort of thing. above all concentrate on driving the motor car.
tygertung,
Nov 3, 10:09am
Yes and reduce your exposure to the risk by driving faster.
If you can drive at 200 km/h without getting done over by the cops, the risk will be halved as your exposure time to the risk of crashing is halved.
Therefore your levels of safety will be doubled.
bill-robinson,
Nov 3, 10:38am
you said it
tygertung,
Nov 3, 10:40am
Unfortunately, if you do crash at 200 km/h the chances of dying are off the charts.
richardmayes,
Nov 3, 10:48am
Safety - No matter who you are and what you're driving, if you accelerate from 50km/h up to 150km/h the likelihood of something making you lose control and crash doesn't decrease, it increases. And the violence of any crash (should it occur) increases hugely. So "I'm a very good driver" BS aside, there is some sense in having a speed limit and insisting that everyone complies, even self-identified very good drivers. Whatever result we are seeing right now, would be worse if everyone was free to drive faster.
Fuel - I just traded a 4 litre Falcon for a 3 litre Toyota Estima. It has taken a bit of personal adjustment going from a car that feels like it could go everywhere competently at 150km/h, to a high-sided vehicle with small wheels and a huge built-in headwind, that is really happiest cruising at about 90 to 95, (and the fuel gauge certainly moves slower at 95 than it does at 105) even though the engine is an angry one that wants to go much faster all the time, and drink gas like it's going out of fashion.
After 5 years driving a car that enabled me to be one of the faster people overtaking the slower people all of the time, I have to admit travel is very relaxing just humming along in my V6 luxury minivan, while those who feel the need to overtake and get there 6% faster fill their boots.
rectech,
Nov 8, 2:33am
You mean "frustrated idiot drivers" surely. or do you feel taking a punt on the possibility of a head on collission with a completely blameless on coming vehicle can somehow be justified ? Attitudes like this is why we are dying like flies on the roads
laurelanne,
Nov 8, 5:08am
Don't know rectech. It is bad out there. Coming back from Puke with half a load of fert I become stuck behind a slow Corolla. On the passing lane I eased off and let one of Booths fifty tonners past. It was the third passing lane before Smythes Quarries before the Booth truck could bet back up to 90kph and pass that Corolla. I followed the Corolla onto the SH2, SH25 SH27 roundabout. That car did not even indicate, instead it straddled the white line and disappeared onto SH27. Man, did I feel for the trucks that were behind me as I turned onto SH25.
bill-robinson,
Nov 8, 6:57am
dying like flies, really?
tygertung,
Nov 8, 8:00am
Trucks should be only going 90 anyway surely, unless they are fully rigid?
tygertung,
Nov 8, 8:02am
When I was racing motorcycles on the track, the rule was that it was the responsibility of the person who was overtaking to do so safely. Surely it would be the same on the roads?
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