55: The Magic Number

Is your gas money dwindling? Are you as shocked as we are about the high gas prices? Here's something we've been doing lately that has saved us big money!!! Aaron has a 2004 Nissan Sentra, which is a small car that gets pretty good gas mileage. When he first got the car in January, he tracked that gas mileage very well for several months--he drove 65 mph on the highway with a little stop and go traffic here and there on his 30 minute commute to and from work every day. Doing this, he got between 28-30 miles per gallon. For the past 2 weeks, he has slowed that speed down to 55 mph, which has resulted in less stop and go on the freeway and much higher gas mileage!! He has tracked it well for 2 weeks and has seen that he gets over 40 miles per gallon just slowing down to 55!!!! Isn't that crazy!! Anyway, he notices that in going 55, everyone else on the road FLIES past him, so he does feel like an old man. It's funny that so many people find it so easy to complain about the gas prices, but aren't willing to do anything to help make things better. Next time I hear someone complain, I will ask them, "How fast do you drive?"

A word of caution here: Going below 50-55 mph will not help gas mileage. Ideally, go to 55 and set your cruise control, if you have it. Also, when you have to stop, gradually slow down and when you have to start up again, gradually increase your speed--don't slam on your brakes and don't slam down on the gas pedal.

Has anyone else out there heard of a good trick in saving money on gas? Share it with us.