We all do it. We all press the accelerator on our cars more than we should at times. And even though we may tell ourselves that we won’t make it a habit, that’s exactly what we end up doing. But are we also slowly picking a hole in our own pockets by doing so?
While it is no secret that slower driver speeds lead to less fuel consumption, just how much less are we talking?
Is it worth decreasing the fun in driving to increase the money we keep in our pocket at the gas pump? Consumer Reports asked itself the same question and decided to make a day out of it in order to find the answer.
The players? A 2013 Honda Accord (4-cyl), a Toyota Rav4, and there different iterations of the Ford Fusion. The game? Three different driving tests, rated at 55mph, 65 mph, and 75 mph, respectively, to determine the changes experienced in fuel consumption and economy.
So what did the test prove? Well, for starters it was no surprise that driving at a lower, continuous speed allowed all of the vehicles to not only match but to surpass their reported fuel economy estimates. As the speeds increase, naturally the fuel economy decreased. This means that driving 75 mph as opposed to 55 mph – a 20 mph difference – decrease driving time by about 60 minutes on a 200-mile drive, for example. Sixty minutes of driving times translates to nearly two gallons of gasoline for each of these vehicles and with today’s national average that translates, in turn, to about $8-10 of gasoline wasted. Increase that drive to a thousand mile road trip and expect to waste about ten gallons of gasoline, or approximately $40-$50 down the drain.
Aside from the gasoline stats that the Consumer Reports test provided, it also justified one automotive constant – the Honda Accord is an environmentally-friendly, fuel-conserving machine. Even against the hybrid version of the Ford’s Fusion, in the 55mph test the Honda Accord was getting the same fuel economy numbers as the hybrid Ford. What’s more is, even in the 75 mph test, the Accord was pulling in fuel economy numbers that were surprisingly close to its EPA numbers.
So, car enthusiasts, what does this prove? For one, it proves that being a lead-foot can hurt your wallet in more ways than one. Also, it goes to show that years of Japanese discipline and innovation have resulted in Honda’s excellence when it comes to building a quality machine with excellent fuel economy. You aren’t in high school anymore. You don’t have to be cool, but you do have to save money and make sure your growing family has a reliable and safe car.
Bottom Line: Just grow up and drive slow…it’s the natural progression of life.