Well, we just moved and my commutewas redused by 5 miles, but we are closer to the freeway. So instead of secondary roads where I was getting 14.5-15.5 mpg on average, I am now getting 17-18 mpg during the week where my commute is now 85% on the freeway. And with these prices, every little bit helps.

 

Quick update..

Needle just passed the first 1/4 mark at 150 miles. It was reading over-full for the first 80 miles. Previously it's taken between 90 and 120 miles to use a quarter tank, and between 50 and 70 to move the needle past Full. Clearly the fuel gauge is highly inconsistent, but I'm positive that my old-man-farmer driving is making a difference. It looks like I'll be driving the 90 mile round trip carpool a couple times this week, so I hope I can get up around 25 MPG.

 

hey cramerica where inSC do you live sorry i know its off topic but i was just wondering im over inCharleston..good luck on the MPG

 

I've been borrowing the Honda Element my parents just traded one of the company trucks for (more than pays for itself in gas savings) on days it's not being used. The thing is ugly as sin and I'd never trade my Dakota for it but I've been surprised how well it goes, for a box on wheels the thing is actually pretty fun to drive and handles far better than I expected. I went with them when they got it, we test drove every small SUV or hatch in the category (CRV, RAV, Patriot, Caliber, Compass, Rogue, Xb, etc...) out of them the Element, CRV, and Rogue drove the best with the RAV a bit behind them IMO. Much as I hate recommending something non-Dodge it might be worth looking at if you need something with better mileage.

 

I live in Columbia, work in beautiful Orangeburg.[8D]

There's no way I could trade in the truck for at least another year or two, until the depreciation rate falls off.

I hit about 350 miles this morning, still have a quarter tank left according to the gauge. I haven't done as much highway driving as I'd like, but my MPG is definitely higher than usual. We'll see what it finally comes out to be.

 

Traffic really is a limiting factor. Sometimes it's just not safe to accelerate as slowly as I would like to, and sometimes I don't catch lights. I'm projecting 23.X MPG this tank. The drive home today is about 50 miles, and once I get back from the gym I'll be around 420. If the fuel light holds out until then, I'll be pretty happy.

I think to hit 25 MPG I'd have to turn up the grandpa-farmer drivign habits another notch. 55 MPH would have to be a hard limit (I've been crusing between 55 and 65). Around town, I think the limit has to be 35; so far I've been adhereing to the posted limits. 35 MPH still makes 5th gear usable and keeps the revs low. I also broke my own rule about tire pressure, I'm positive I'm under 40 PSI right now.

If I had put all my miles on the highway, I'm positive that keeping the speed at the ol' double-nickel would get 25 MPG.

More to come...

 

wow eric you must really drive like an old man, i got 17.23 this week back and forth to school up and down hills, but i have started to work the od button for up/down hill driving to keep the rpms down, and use a lot of cruise when ever possible