Mrs. Merkt's sister lives in Spokane. We drove over the Cascades from the Puget Sound area this past weekend to visit. Naturally enough, we took I-90 most of the way.
For many years, I've driven for fuel economy, not for breaking the land speed record. Especially now that fuel prices are very high. On this trip, we drove a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. I asked Mrs, Merkt if she wanted to take her Hyundai Elantra to save fuel. She said no, she preferred the additional comfort of the larger car. Which weighs 4,200 pounds and rides smoothly and quietly, has better seats and more leg room. It has a V-8 engine. I know the fuel economy sweet spot for this car, 62-64 miles per hour. On the open road, with negligible headwinds, the car will get 27-28 mph no problem when driven within this mileage window. I set the speed control and all I have to do is guide the steering, watch ahead, and occasionally look in the mirrors.
Mileage reading when I pulled back into my driveway from the return trip:
Okay, once we hit relatively flat ground east of the Cascades, I think I passed only one car going slower than 62 mph. Coming back west the next day, until I got to the mountains, I only passed one vehicle, and that was a Wide Load crane with many tires six feet tall. The speed limit east of the mountains is 70 for cars, 60 for trucks. But practically none observe these limits, and exceed them significantly. There are statistics that show an increase in traffic fatalities since the Covid thing started. Increased speed is attributed to this bump in deaths, in part.
Of course in the mountains, I got to pass many trucks that were laboring up grades. I take the car off the speed control on the trickier sections in the mountains in the interest of safety. On the steepest grades, my speed may drop below 62, I don't like to push it hard. I'm often in the truck lane in the mountains.
Of the many vehicles passing me well over 70 miles per hour, included were private vehicles towing trailers. Which in Wash. state are also limited to 60 mph. max. speed limit. There is a reason that speed limits are lower for trailers under tow. Tires on trailers often do not have the same speed rating as pax. vehicle tires. Trailers are often carrying loads, which stresses tires. Also, trailers can have higher centers of gravity. And wind shear issues. Another reason is emergency stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer. When something goes haywire towing a trailer, things come unglued in a hurry.
Does anybody remember the 55 mile per hour National Speed Limit? It was in force from early 1974 to about 1996. But in 1987, the Feds allowed states to authorize higher speed limits on rural interstate highways and some adopted those rules. This law was in place to conserve fuel. It was widely ignored but it was a revenue plus for jurisdictions writing citations for violations. It morphed into a highway safety issue.
When I moved to Wash. state in Jan 1987, the 55 mph. National Speed Limit was still in force. I poked along many miles at that speed in my old 1966 Ford Fairlane. Actually, this car had been driven for many years under the 55 limit, it was kind of broken in to that maximum speed. It felt more comfortable to drive at 55 than, say, 65. Anyway, there is a long, arrow-straight stretch of I-5 between Eugene and Albany, Oregon. When the 55 limit was still in effect, I noticed the OSP had easy pickings along that piece of road.
For many years, I've driven for fuel economy, not for breaking the land speed record. Especially now that fuel prices are very high. On this trip, we drove a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis. I asked Mrs, Merkt if she wanted to take her Hyundai Elantra to save fuel. She said no, she preferred the additional comfort of the larger car. Which weighs 4,200 pounds and rides smoothly and quietly, has better seats and more leg room. It has a V-8 engine. I know the fuel economy sweet spot for this car, 62-64 miles per hour. On the open road, with negligible headwinds, the car will get 27-28 mph no problem when driven within this mileage window. I set the speed control and all I have to do is guide the steering, watch ahead, and occasionally look in the mirrors.
Mileage reading when I pulled back into my driveway from the return trip:
Okay, once we hit relatively flat ground east of the Cascades, I think I passed only one car going slower than 62 mph. Coming back west the next day, until I got to the mountains, I only passed one vehicle, and that was a Wide Load crane with many tires six feet tall. The speed limit east of the mountains is 70 for cars, 60 for trucks. But practically none observe these limits, and exceed them significantly. There are statistics that show an increase in traffic fatalities since the Covid thing started. Increased speed is attributed to this bump in deaths, in part.
Of course in the mountains, I got to pass many trucks that were laboring up grades. I take the car off the speed control on the trickier sections in the mountains in the interest of safety. On the steepest grades, my speed may drop below 62, I don't like to push it hard. I'm often in the truck lane in the mountains.
Of the many vehicles passing me well over 70 miles per hour, included were private vehicles towing trailers. Which in Wash. state are also limited to 60 mph. max. speed limit. There is a reason that speed limits are lower for trailers under tow. Tires on trailers often do not have the same speed rating as pax. vehicle tires. Trailers are often carrying loads, which stresses tires. Also, trailers can have higher centers of gravity. And wind shear issues. Another reason is emergency stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer. When something goes haywire towing a trailer, things come unglued in a hurry.
Does anybody remember the 55 mile per hour National Speed Limit? It was in force from early 1974 to about 1996. But in 1987, the Feds allowed states to authorize higher speed limits on rural interstate highways and some adopted those rules. This law was in place to conserve fuel. It was widely ignored but it was a revenue plus for jurisdictions writing citations for violations. It morphed into a highway safety issue.
When I moved to Wash. state in Jan 1987, the 55 mph. National Speed Limit was still in force. I poked along many miles at that speed in my old 1966 Ford Fairlane. Actually, this car had been driven for many years under the 55 limit, it was kind of broken in to that maximum speed. It felt more comfortable to drive at 55 than, say, 65. Anyway, there is a long, arrow-straight stretch of I-5 between Eugene and Albany, Oregon. When the 55 limit was still in effect, I noticed the OSP had easy pickings along that piece of road.
