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2006 Toyota Solara, 331 miles, 32 MPG @ 60 MPH |
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V6 Cyl, 5 Spd Auto Trans, EPA 29/20
This RWVER (Real World Vehicle Efficiency Report) journey started in Sacramento, CA where I got on I-80 and drove east to the Hwy 12 exit towards Napa through the rolling hills of wine country through Sonoma and Santa Rosa to the Sebastopol, CA, area where I stayed overnight. The next day we drove to the coast, then went south on HWY 1 to Bodega Bay, where we again turned east to Hwy 101, south to Hwy 37, which took us across the Bay and connects with I-80 at Vallejo, which we took back to Sacramento.
Along the way I set the cruise control at 60 MPH and was almost continuously being passed by everyone on the road, including 18 wheel trucks, busses and the usual array of RV's being towed by diesel pickup trucks driven by vacationers and retirees. To those who claim my speed (60 MPH) was creating a hazard, I want to point out that there is not a roadway in California where it is legal for any truck or vehicle pulling a trailer to exceed 55 MPH, anywhere, ever. I often get behind one of the few that obey the law to find a zone of sanity whilst monster SUV’s battle each other for an edge in the next lanes.
The EPA rating for the V6 Solara is 29/20, so my trip of 331 miles indicates the vehicle gets 32 MPG when the speed is kept under 60 MPH. During this 2 day, 331 mile trip I saw 1 CHP vehicle, at the scene of a crash, taking down names. The rest of the time it is a free-for-all on the highways, even huge trucks are all routinely well over the speed limit, I wonder why we bother posting and maintaining the signs |
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Speaking at a climate change conference in Miami, California Governor Arnold Scwarzenegger said drivers can do a lot to cut fuel costs by driving slower.
"Who can cut (costs) down is you, you, you and you," Schwarzenegger
said. "You can cut it down. Take your car, for instance. Go and get the
perfect tire pressure. Tune up your engine. Drive slower." He went on to say "energy prices are not going to go back to the good
old days" and it is "bogus" for politicians to promise otherwise."
"Politicians have been throwing around all kinds
of ideas in response to the skyrocketing energy prices, from the
rethinking of nuclear power to pushing biofuels and more renewables and
ending the ban on offshore drilling," Schwarzenegger said. "But anyone
who tells you this would bring down gas prices any time soon is blowing
smoke. I think that people should really be in charge of their
own destiny and how much they want to pay for fuel, not wait for the
politicians," he said.
The Drive 55 Conservation Project is delighted with the Governor's message and hand delivered a Thank You letter with Drive 55 bumper stickers to his office in Sacramento today. Leadership in the legislature also got a letter and some Drive 55 bumper stickers hand delivered to their offices in the Capital, inviting them to 'Lead by example'.
Quote sources:
Sacramento BEE
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1042081.html
LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/
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