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#1
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Here's something for you real tech gurus
I was thinking about this on the way home, maybe someone can answer it for me.
The national speed limit was 55 until 1995. Do the cars made before that year differ from the ones made during and after that year? Is the gearing differerent in any respect? I know my '91 Legacy likes to float down the road at 55, and the faster you go, the worse the gas mileage gets.
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#2
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Was there really any change before they repealed the 55 MPH national speed limit? No, not really. Vehicle aerodynamics and engine efficiency both started to improve considerably sometime in the later 1980's. There was pressure from all around for cars to get better mileage. Gas prices went up so people wanted cheaper transportation, and the government also started caring about emissions. The whole transition was fairly gradual.
The optimal speed for good mileage varies from car to car. Going slower isn't always better, and some vehicles get their best mileage at surprisingly high speeds. (My buddy's VW Corrado seems to get it's best mileage at between 75 and 85 MPH.) Many very sporty cars have good aerodynamics and always have, but surprisingly many of the less sporty looking cars have almost equally good aerodynamics these days. I think what really happened is that the government realized that the limit was ultimately unenforceable, had a negative impact on the mileage of many cars, and wasted people's time. I think the only substantial change was that manufacturer stopped highlighting the 55 MPH mark on speedometers. |
#3
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Well, some of us older members remember that the speed limit was 70 mph. Then the gas chruch came along and they made the speed limit every where (even the freeways) 50 mph and shortly after that made it 55. They finally moved it up to 65 mph and finally up to 70 mph. It is all about gas consumption. Like UberRoo mentioned, not all cars get the best mileage at the lower speeds. Now they are after SUVs and who know what will be next.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#4
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Speed Limit
Speed limit is 75 here on interstates.
Lee
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SVXx2 92 SVX LS-L Silver 92 SVX LS-L Burgundy (structurally challenged with 2792 miles) 96 SVX LSi Red 92 SVX LS Pearl (Parts) 01 F150 4X4 Red (+6 with other members of the family) FREEDOM IS NOT FREE |
#5
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Quote:
I bet even on 283 you have to go 75 to keep up with traffic (with local's not having radar, it makes speeding all the easier).
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi Last edited by Manarius; 07-18-2005 at 09:24 AM. |
#6
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Here in Washington it is a lot different. In 15 miles on the interstate, I have seen 4 County Sheriff cars with radar, 2 State Patrol cycles and 4 State Patrol cars either with radar or cars pulled over. This is a daily occurance. There is a real crackdown on speed here in Washington. At least in my neck of the woods.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#7
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Quote:
__________________
-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#8
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The XT on the other hand will get 25-28mpg regardless of if I'm going 65 or 95. Only varies if I have the ac on.
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British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
#9
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I remember when at least one western state's speed limit was, "safe and reasonable."
On the highway, my SVX's fuel economy rivals what I used to get in my old 90 horsepower, 5MT, AWD GL wagon. Proximity of the gas pedal to the floor has as much to do with fuel mileage as power and speed. dcb |
#10
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My personal best MPG was coming back from Williamsburg, Va to Baltimore, MD at about 1am. I was doing 90-100 and getting passed. I averaged 27MPG. I was completely shocked. I exspected to get about 20. I normally get about 230 when running 65-80 on highway trips to visit family. On a side note, Saturday I paid more for a tank then ever before. I was so low the light came on. $2.53 a gallon and it cost a total of $37.00. The previous high was $32.00 two weeks ago. Before that I never had to pay more then 27.00 for a fill up. Last edited by mikecg; 07-18-2005 at 12:38 PM. |
#11
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In Wyoming, if you're pulled over, you pay the officer at that moment, as long as you haven't exceeded limit +10.
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ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician w/L1. ASE Certified Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician. Certified EVT (Emergency Vehicle Technician) |
#12
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What's next? Well, when some big crisis hits -- later than sooner, we all hope -- I doubt the Feds will fool around with the speed limit again and instead go right to gasoline ration coupons, as were used in WWII. That'll be interesting. dcb Last edited by dcarrb; 07-18-2005 at 01:21 PM. |
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