On Sunday I was in a hurry, quite a lot of hurry. So I averaged 130km/hr for the 220km of my trip. And yes I weighed the risks (Musings: Speeding) and decided it was worth it. However, I noticed I burned through gas like no-ones busines.
So 2 days later when I made the same trip again, as an experiment I did 110 the whole way. I barely sipped gas compared to Sunday. Here are my observations:
| Speed (km/hr) |
Distance (km) |
Tank Size (L) |
Tank Start Level |
Tank End Level |
Gas Used (L) |
Milage (km/L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | ~220km | 65* | Full | 5/8ths** | 3/8 tank + 5 = 22.5 + 5 = 27.5 |
220 / 27.5 = 8.0 |
| 130 | ~220km | 65 | Full | 3/8ths | 5/8 tank + 5 = 37.5 + 5 = 42.5 |
220 / 42.5 = 5.2 |
*Note about my gas tank, empty to full on the dial is 60L, but there are 5L below empty and 5L above full when you fill. So for these purposes I have to add 5L to my measurements.
**1/4 tank is 15L, so 1/8 = 7.5L, and 1/16 = 3.75L
Results
Barring more research, speeding seems to be highly expensive. 8km/L (or 12 L/100km) is about average for my truck in winter cause I gotta have 250lbs of concrete in the back for traction. 5.2 sucks even for city driving. Well longer trips here I come...uggg.
Now I just need to do 115, 120, and 125 to complete my tests.
After all this, I did know in an abstract sort of way that this was true. The USA has dropped their speed limits twice in the past to enforce gas economy. But that wasn't here and now and out of my own pocket.