My response to high gas prices - change of driving habits!

[Freedom55]

Bought an 05 OBW a year ago and just this summer I have had two tanks of
7.4L/100 and one tank of 7.2L/100 (4 passengers with baggage for all). I
was trying really hard to conserve fuel. I gained this by compression
braking, keeping the speeds down, keeping air pressures up, turning the
engine off after 10 seconds of idling unless I am in traffic, turning
off air occasionally etc.

On one particular tank I went 743.6 kilometers. Albeit the low fuel
light was on but I calculated that I could have easily hit 800
kilometers (497 miles). Given the weight and the AWD factored in, I
figured that I did very well. I figured that by changing my habits I
have gained fully 20% in fuel economy.

P.S. I like the trip computer on the new 05+; it really helps if you
want to save a few bucks.

I would be interested in other OBW experiences.

Ron
--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

 

[Grolsch]

Bingo!, I have an 04 Forester (5pd manual). I used to drive fairly
assertively 10-20kph over the limit, get pissed off at LLB's (Left Lane
Blockers) and usually arrived home on a Friday (after a 125km commute)
red-faced with the Blood pressure up there. In the last 6 months I've
started to relax on the road. I drive right at the speed limit, shut off the
engine at lights I know are longish (45 seconds or more, but usually 2
minutes), accelerate gently, watch well ahead in traffic. Try to keep
moving, even if ever so slowly as I come up to red lights, trying to time
the greens (like the Big-Rigs do). Take off roof-racks, bike racks and I
empty uneeded stuff out of the vehicle. The result of this is a 30% increase
in mileage and I'm more relaxed, I'm not always on someones tail, I'm safer,
it's easier on the car, and easier on my fellow motorists and the planet
PLUS I get home happier and feeling just a little smug. The wife likes me
better this way too.

 

[Curt]

I also have an '05 Outback wagon with the base engine and manual
transmission. Many years ago I trained myself to anticipate and take
advantage of long down-sloping roadways by depressing the clutch and
just coasting. Some of my local highways have stretches of a MILE or
more, where I can travel 55-60 mph at idle speed. Additionally, tire
technology in the last 10-15 years has really enhanced low-rolling
resistance. Of course you need to be aware of traffic behind you and
not become an obstruction. Coupling this technique (which has become
so "automatic" that I don't even notice I'm doing it anymore) with a
shutdown at long traffic lights has given me a one-year average of
27.3 mpg, with a ratio of 30% highway and 70% suburban driving.
I hasten to add that I live in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, where
winter cold and snow have a major affect on fuel economy.
Automakers will soon be introducing an idle shutoff feature as well,
for those who don't bother to do it themselves.
My .02 (.05 Canadian).

 

[Cam Penner]

I also have an '05 Outback wagon with the base engine and manual
transmission. Many years ago I trained myself to anticipate and take
advantage of long down-sloping roadways by depressing the clutch and
just coasting. Some of my local highways have stretches of a MILE or
more, where I can travel 55-60 mph at idle speed. Additionally, tire

In BC, this is in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act:

Coasting down grade
197 When travelling down grade a driver must not coast
with the gears of the vehicle in neutral or the clutch
disengaged.

Your local laws may vary.

You may want to look into the mechanical healthiness as
well. I'm not sure about Subaru engines, but there are
engines and transmissions whose proper lubrication depends
on the vehicle being in gear at speed.

 

[Tcassette]

All of the practices described are very effective for any vehicle, in
particular, keeping the speeds down. I am constantly amused at the single
passenger clowns that blow by me doing at least 10 mph over the speed limit
in huge trucks/SUVs that are rolling barns. I wager that 90% of them
complain about the price of fuel when they could decrease their consumption
significantly just by slowing down to legal speeds.

 

[Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy)]

Poor attempt at trolling, Rich!

I also have an '05 Outback wagon with the base engine and manual
transmission. Many years ago I trained myself to anticipate and take
advantage of long down-sloping roadways by depressing the clutch and
just coasting. Some of my local highways have stretches of a MILE or
more, where I can travel 55-60 mph at idle speed. Additionally, tire
technology in the last 10-15 years has really enhanced low-rolling
resistance. Of course you need to be aware of traffic behind you and
not become an obstruction. Coupling this technique (which has become
so "automatic" that I don't even notice I'm doing it anymore) with a
shutdown at long traffic lights has given me a one-year average of
27.3 mpg, with a ratio of 30% highway and 70% suburban driving.
I hasten to add that I live in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, where
winter cold and snow have a major affect on fuel economy.
Automakers will soon be introducing an idle shutoff feature as well,
for those who don't bother to do it themselves.
My .02 (.05 Canadian).