DesignoSLK

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I thought I would conduct my own little test on gas mileage and driving speeds.

As some of you know, I drive, one-way, 42 miles to work. With the hike in gas prices ($4.52 here now) I wanted to see what the differences would be time-wise and mileage-wise in lowering my speed.

Well, I was quite amazed to say the least.

With the top up, running a K&N air filter and engaging cruise, this is what I came up with:

75 mph (120 kph) I got 31 mpg, it took me 40 mins door to door and the bug to windshield ratio was minimal.

90 mph (140 kph) I got 22 mpg, it took me 35 mins door to door and the bug to windshield ratio was substantially more.

I should also note that at 90 mph, I broke the cruise control far more times than at 75 causing me to brake and accelerate many more times.

So I'm sold. I'll be keeping my speed at 75/120.

I have to admit, it was a bit of a challenge to drive slower, but after seeing the increase in mileage, now I laugh at the guys flying by me as I look at my gas gauge barely moving as I "putt" along.

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Kevin
An American in Germany...
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'00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot)

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That's awesome Kevin. I did the same type of test several months ago and received similar results. I've got a 26 mile commute (one way), so it's worth it in my case to slow down also.

My next test will be to compare the gas consumption differences with the top up and top down. Since it's been warming up over the last few weeks, I've been going to and from work with the top down. I haven't noticed a substantial difference at the pump, but I haven't worked out all the numbers yet. Will post when I do.

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Mike

2002 Black SLK-230


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Tummy

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I haven't done a comparison in my SLK, but in the car I drive to work I went from:

15mpg driving 85mph with adaptive cruise on

to

19mpg driving 60mph with adaptive cruise on

It gets slightly better with the regular cruise.

Due to the braking and acceleration, plus some traffic at either end, my commute time only increased by around 5 minutes. I found at 60mph (the speed limit), I was almost alway the slowest car except for trucks.

That's nearly 27% increase, and has allowed me to save one tank of gas per month / ~$92 per month, or a projected ~$1000 per year at current gas prices.

I live nearly 500 miles from my work site and with the increase in gas prices, my flight costs every month have increased much faster, more than doubling in the last year. I'm thinking, if I get a used economy commuter car, it would pay for itself very quickly. Especially since my commute is probably going to increase to around 3,000 miles per month, when I reduce my flying.

SLKman

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WoW! I need to get me a K&N filter...Best mpg I ever got was 27 driving like a grandma.

On average I get 24mpg.

I drive 25 highway miles one way to work usually around 70-80mph.

I've tried slower but can't handle the near miss hits when people swerve around me at the last minute to pass me.

Driving with traffic or faster, I don't have the "from behind worries."

But I sure would like to get 31mpg like you Kevin!!!

I NEED GREEN FILTERS!!!!

SLKman

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2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport
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