How to Get 99+ MPG with Your Car

I have to draw the conclusion that no one (myself excepted) in Land O' Lakes cares about gas prices. It has been bugging me as a long-time observer of traffic that most of us drive like we are trying to use up that gas in our tank. Is it so that we can get to the gas station more quickly to get that coffee, soda, or snack? Or is it that we want to support the foreign oil market?

I'm talking about the blinding speed with which most of us approach traffic lights. It seems to be a race to get to the red light! Did you know that it is not a requirement to have your foot pressing firmly on the brake or gas pedal at all times? There is another option. Take your foot off the pedals and coast! 

One of our cars has a gauge that shows the current instantaneous gas mileage. I notice that when I take my foot off the gas pedal, it reads 99+ mpg. When stopped at that red light, it reads 0 mpg! Which one of these two readings do you believe contributes to better overall mileage?

With all the red lights that I encounter in a typical drive, I travel a lot in "coast mode" (99+ mph). And, yes, I do get better than the typical mileage for my vehicles. And I do admit to using other gas-saving techniques as well. But you already know those!

Okay - for all of you who really don't care or don't believe that this will affect your gasoline budget - what about your brakes? They are working much harder when you fly up to that red light and hit the brake pedal with the firmness of stomping a roach on the kitchen floor.

Finally - for those your who don't care about gas or brakes - what about all those sudden lane changes as you are flying up to the other cars parked at the traffic light? Very dangerous, folks! You are probably also the ones who follow too closely, gaining nothing when you get to that seemingly always red light.

So please, stop the aggressive driving! Those sirens on US 41 are interrupting my afternoon nap!