Experiment: driving like Grandma vs regular spiritied driving
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From: Pickering
Experiment: driving like Grandma vs regular spiritied driving
Since purchasing a home and jumping into the inevitable money pit, I have found a whole new reason lean out on expenses. One of the very first places I looked to do this was with my daily commute. It got me questioning mainly, how can I cut down on my gas consumption? So from this question, the experiment was born. Is Grandma onto something with her low speed, low accelerated way of life? Could there be more benefits than the obvious one of gas savings? Is the level of effort to slow down really worth it? How much can I really save through the course of a year?
Through a conversation with the most money pinching guy I know, I asked him about his daily commute. He tells me that he sets the cruise control at 100km/hr and takes the slow lane to work. I thought to myself, bah that can't be fun! You gotta be taking wayyyyyyy longer to get to and from your destination. This is nuts, Nuts, NUTS I tell ya! I decided though, let’s try this and really see what happens. I’ve always said, you can’t have a real opinion on something until you’ve gotten real experience with it. So it began.........
Here are the numbers for the course of a month; total distance being traveled is 2500 km or 1554 miles while filling up 40 liters or 10.6 gallons per trip to the pump.
Driving like Grandma:
- 7.7L/100km or 30.5 mpg
- 192.5 liters or 50.9 gallons of gas used
- $240 for gas before taxes
- 35 min trip to work 40 min trip home after work
- 4.8 trips to the pump
Driving like my normal spirited self:
- 8.9L/100km or 26.4 mpg
- 222.5 liters or 58.8 gallons of gas used
- $278 for gas before taxes
- 30 min trip to work 35 min trip home after work
- 5.5 trips to the pump
So there you have the hard numbers. The reality is that driving like Grandma saves me about 1.2 L/100km or 196 mpg, which calculates to 30 liters or 8 gallons of gas a month. I have 1-2 less trips to the pump. Dollar wise this translates to about $40 kept in my pocket at the cost of a few extra minutes on the road per week day.
Now something really amazing happened through this experiment. I observed other changes, most of which were SUBCONSCIOUS. I never once focused on these things. My focus was on smooth, slow acceleration and staying at the speed limit. Take my time, relax and not worry about how fast I would arrive at my destination. Here are the results.
Driving like Grandma:
- safer driving habits
- far less stress
- had more reaction time
- enjoyed the scenery
- had better memory of the trip
- less erratic decisions made
- left more distance between me and other cars
Driving like my normal spirited self:
- got krusty with other motorists
- experienced road rage more
- far less reaction time
- increased levels of stress
- more erratic decisions made resulting in poor choices
- left less distance between me and other cars
I couldn't believe the additional benefits being experienced. We all know that our stress levels greatly affect our decisions made. On the road, that split second decision could be the defining moment that saves yours or someone else’s life, or ends it entirely. Not only does driving like Grandma save you money and reduces the wear and tear on your ride, it also makes you a safer driver. Safe driving habits are what we want burned into our psyche. Bad driving habits cause accidents and end lives. The posted speed limits aren't there to make our trip less fun. They are there to ensure we have the reaction time needed to get out of a jam that could end it all. We all have those near moments in traffic. Luckily we get out of them because the conditions are in our favor. If we can greatly reduce the chance of having those near moments, we'll inevitably have fewer collisions on the road.
Now driving like Grandma isn't something I do all the time or intend to do 365 days a year. I love the fact that my Ralliart has the power and umpf to put some kick in my step. Having that awesome power at a seconds notice is phenomenal and it begs to come out in doses. Some Fridays or weekends I find myself driving more spirited. I'm not trying to advocate everyone do what I am. Though I won't lie, if everyone did, the roads would be far safer and our daily commutes would be far less stressful. I just thought though that I would share my experience and a defining change in maturity when it comes to my driving. I never thought that in my quest to reduce the cost of everyday living that I would come across something substantial. If from reading this some driving habits change even slightly for the positive, then the world is a better place for it. Any good outcome is a worthy one I say.
Through a conversation with the most money pinching guy I know, I asked him about his daily commute. He tells me that he sets the cruise control at 100km/hr and takes the slow lane to work. I thought to myself, bah that can't be fun! You gotta be taking wayyyyyyy longer to get to and from your destination. This is nuts, Nuts, NUTS I tell ya! I decided though, let’s try this and really see what happens. I’ve always said, you can’t have a real opinion on something until you’ve gotten real experience with it. So it began.........
Here are the numbers for the course of a month; total distance being traveled is 2500 km or 1554 miles while filling up 40 liters or 10.6 gallons per trip to the pump.
Driving like Grandma:
- 7.7L/100km or 30.5 mpg
- 192.5 liters or 50.9 gallons of gas used
- $240 for gas before taxes
- 35 min trip to work 40 min trip home after work
- 4.8 trips to the pump
Driving like my normal spirited self:
- 8.9L/100km or 26.4 mpg
- 222.5 liters or 58.8 gallons of gas used
- $278 for gas before taxes
- 30 min trip to work 35 min trip home after work
- 5.5 trips to the pump
So there you have the hard numbers. The reality is that driving like Grandma saves me about 1.2 L/100km or 196 mpg, which calculates to 30 liters or 8 gallons of gas a month. I have 1-2 less trips to the pump. Dollar wise this translates to about $40 kept in my pocket at the cost of a few extra minutes on the road per week day.
Now something really amazing happened through this experiment. I observed other changes, most of which were SUBCONSCIOUS. I never once focused on these things. My focus was on smooth, slow acceleration and staying at the speed limit. Take my time, relax and not worry about how fast I would arrive at my destination. Here are the results.
Driving like Grandma:
- safer driving habits
- far less stress
- had more reaction time
- enjoyed the scenery
- had better memory of the trip
- less erratic decisions made
- left more distance between me and other cars
Driving like my normal spirited self:
- got krusty with other motorists
- experienced road rage more
- far less reaction time
- increased levels of stress
- more erratic decisions made resulting in poor choices
- left less distance between me and other cars
I couldn't believe the additional benefits being experienced. We all know that our stress levels greatly affect our decisions made. On the road, that split second decision could be the defining moment that saves yours or someone else’s life, or ends it entirely. Not only does driving like Grandma save you money and reduces the wear and tear on your ride, it also makes you a safer driver. Safe driving habits are what we want burned into our psyche. Bad driving habits cause accidents and end lives. The posted speed limits aren't there to make our trip less fun. They are there to ensure we have the reaction time needed to get out of a jam that could end it all. We all have those near moments in traffic. Luckily we get out of them because the conditions are in our favor. If we can greatly reduce the chance of having those near moments, we'll inevitably have fewer collisions on the road.
Now driving like Grandma isn't something I do all the time or intend to do 365 days a year. I love the fact that my Ralliart has the power and umpf to put some kick in my step. Having that awesome power at a seconds notice is phenomenal and it begs to come out in doses. Some Fridays or weekends I find myself driving more spirited. I'm not trying to advocate everyone do what I am. Though I won't lie, if everyone did, the roads would be far safer and our daily commutes would be far less stressful. I just thought though that I would share my experience and a defining change in maturity when it comes to my driving. I never thought that in my quest to reduce the cost of everyday living that I would come across something substantial. If from reading this some driving habits change even slightly for the positive, then the world is a better place for it. Any good outcome is a worthy one I say.
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From: Pickering
Actually yes lol. The dumb things others do is amusing. Lots of people get krusty and ride your butt. I just look in the mirror, smile and stay on course. Seeing some really unhappy faces is funny when they drive off in a puff after tailgating and not being able to budge you. Things like that just don't get to me. I have a sadistic view that helps I guess. You end up being a lone wolf cus you go your own speed. Sometimes you wanna rip it, go for it. Smaller doses, but keeps you sane.
Last edited by johnnycage; Nov 26, 2012 at 06:52 PM.
i drive the speed limit more or less, but i get to the speed limit much quicker than most others, not in an aggressive mannor, but half throttle boost feels so good. At the track, i tend to open it up a little, and get sloppy in the corners...i actually haven't lost control yet and i've woven cones in excess of 140 km/h.
to each their own...though, i don't discriminate
to each their own...though, i don't discriminate
a few years back I did a similar experiment when gas was just as expensive as it is today. I noticed much better gas mileage, but to me, it was more work then driving spiritedly. It was also far less fun. I can see this being beneficial financially, but as I said, it was just too much work and went back to my old habits, haha
Idk what it is with my car, but on a full tank, I couldn't break 300miles per tank even when I drove like a grandma. I averaged 270-280. When I drive spiritedly, I was getting about 240-250 miles per tank
Idk what it is with my car, but on a full tank, I couldn't break 300miles per tank even when I drove like a grandma. I averaged 270-280. When I drive spiritedly, I was getting about 240-250 miles per tank
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From: Pickering
a few years back I did a similar experiment when gas was just as expensive as it is today. I noticed much better gas mileage, but to me, it was more work then driving spiritedly. It was also far less fun. I can see this being beneficial financially, but as I said, it was just too much work and went back to my old habits, haha
Idk what it is with my car, but on a full tank, I couldn't break 300miles per tank even when I drove like a grandma. I averaged 270-280. When I drive spiritedly, I was getting about 240-250 miles per tank
Idk what it is with my car, but on a full tank, I couldn't break 300miles per tank even when I drove like a grandma. I averaged 270-280. When I drive spiritedly, I was getting about 240-250 miles per tank
I can definitely say, I don't do this all the time, mainly only when commuting and traffics heavy cus that's when our cars get raped on fuel consumption.
Well like you said you can save time or money.
You are trading $38 for 10 min daily times 5 times a week times 4 weeks in a month or 200 minutes.
That's an additional 3 hours and 20 minutes you are exposed to the war zone and its associated risks.
You are trading $38 for 10 min daily times 5 times a week times 4 weeks in a month or 200 minutes.
That's an additional 3 hours and 20 minutes you are exposed to the war zone and its associated risks.
This thread is awesome...its like the great debaters. 
I have to say, when I'm tired I tend to drive like a grandpa and i do find it less stressful, but if I'm tired AND irritated, it only takes one ******* tailgating too close to send me back to 100mph.
I have to say, when I'm tired I tend to drive like a grandpa and i do find it less stressful, but if I'm tired AND irritated, it only takes one ******* tailgating too close to send me back to 100mph.
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From: Pickering
I figured this was a good topic to discuss cus its something I think everyone considers. I couldn't find as much of an in depth look at this subject so I figured I'd be one of the first. I had to do a real experiment and drive both ways for a couple months then average everything out. I found using iPhone gas mileage apps really helped cus I was way too lazy to put the info into spreadsheets.
I think if I lost any more time, like say 10 minutes each way then I might be more inclined to speed a bit more. What I've found is, with rush hour you have your choke points. I constantly find myself pulling up beside or a couple cars behind the guys that take the fast lane, speeds and weaves through traffic to get themselves as fast as humanly possible to their destination. Because of that very reason its hard to justify doing the same thing when its not going to save me that much time. The extra 5 minutes in the morning to me is no issue because I would leave at the same time anyways to make sure I'm not late. But really, its the stress level. I consistently find myself rather chill. I suffer from rage, ask my wife. For me, reducing that risk of rage is huge. When I drive like grandma its like an automatic switch is set.I feel like a hippy who's happy to be alive and is taking his time. When I hit the pedal and switch back to my normal spirited self, that competitive beast is unleashed and I just don't think as clearly. So I save it for safer road conditions that's for sure.
Tail gaiters gonna tail gate, but theres pleasure when you look in your mirror, smile back and they take off in a puff because you didn't give in to their bullying.
There is another huge benefit to taking it easy on the acceleration and speed, it will also mean less wear and tear on the engine. Theres additional savings here that can't be measured unless someone did a study with two of the same cars over a period of 200k - 300k. I'd wager one could squeeze and extra 50k or more out of their engine in its lifetime from doing this with a daily driver. I wouldn't think there is much of a need to do it pre 100k because up to that point, the parts are not close to failing. Even at 50k thats pretty much an extra 2 years of driving roughly. That's 2 extra years of no car payments.
I think if I lost any more time, like say 10 minutes each way then I might be more inclined to speed a bit more. What I've found is, with rush hour you have your choke points. I constantly find myself pulling up beside or a couple cars behind the guys that take the fast lane, speeds and weaves through traffic to get themselves as fast as humanly possible to their destination. Because of that very reason its hard to justify doing the same thing when its not going to save me that much time. The extra 5 minutes in the morning to me is no issue because I would leave at the same time anyways to make sure I'm not late. But really, its the stress level. I consistently find myself rather chill. I suffer from rage, ask my wife. For me, reducing that risk of rage is huge. When I drive like grandma its like an automatic switch is set.I feel like a hippy who's happy to be alive and is taking his time. When I hit the pedal and switch back to my normal spirited self, that competitive beast is unleashed and I just don't think as clearly. So I save it for safer road conditions that's for sure.
Tail gaiters gonna tail gate, but theres pleasure when you look in your mirror, smile back and they take off in a puff because you didn't give in to their bullying.
There is another huge benefit to taking it easy on the acceleration and speed, it will also mean less wear and tear on the engine. Theres additional savings here that can't be measured unless someone did a study with two of the same cars over a period of 200k - 300k. I'd wager one could squeeze and extra 50k or more out of their engine in its lifetime from doing this with a daily driver. I wouldn't think there is much of a need to do it pre 100k because up to that point, the parts are not close to failing. Even at 50k thats pretty much an extra 2 years of driving roughly. That's 2 extra years of no car payments.
Last edited by johnnycage; Nov 27, 2012 at 01:13 PM.
Excellent write up. Haven't had my car for weeks and I'm dreading it...idk how I'll drive when I get her back...especially break in time for the clutch (how long is that not to get OT). But I will be driving like a grandma. I'm money crunching HUGE, school debts, personal debts, and car debts 
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From: Pickering
Excellent write up. Haven't had my car for weeks and I'm dreading it...idk how I'll drive when I get her back...especially break in time for the clutch (how long is that not to get OT). But I will be driving like a grandma. I'm money crunching HUGE, school debts, personal debts, and car debts
my best so far has been 7.3L/100KM or 32.2 mpg which works out to 681km or 431 miles on one tank. Its definitely possible to squeeze out more.
I can definitely say, I don't do this all the time, mainly only when commuting and traffics heavy cus that's when our cars get raped on fuel consumption.
I can definitely say, I don't do this all the time, mainly only when commuting and traffics heavy cus that's when our cars get raped on fuel consumption.
The most I got in one tank is probably 480km and that's me driving like a grandma:
- Upshift around 1800rpm to 2300rpm
- Cruise control @ 100km/h on the dot when on the highway
- Oil change every 3000km
- And all the other things that I read on EvoM for saving gas
I probably need a tune-up or maybe it's because I have almost 230000km on my RA?
Don't matter. I still LOOOOOVE my RA
Im jealous of you all. The most Ive ever gotten out of one tank was 270 miles, and man I was afraid I wasnt going to make it to the gas station... I average 230-240. But its been worse lately for some reason, Im blaming the heater...
As far as spirited vs grandma driving goes. I cant keep my foot out of it for an entire tank, at least a few times lol. But "spirited" driving is my comfort zone it seems. Grandma driving is obviously safer and such and I dont mind it as long as Im not in traffic. If Im in traffic I think I pay attention to the mistakes people make and I get frustrated and I have to focus more on keeping my speed low, whereas if I was spirited driving I would have just passed them and not noticed them, and I pay attention to my every move more, my In-The-Zone-Mode I guess lol.
Anyway Ive learned where to spirited drive and where to grandma drive. In town, on open highway I grandma drive, on backroad, or untravelled roads I'll let myself get a bit spirited. My little brother drives too fast and Ive tried to explain this concept to him as a bit of a compromise because I dont want to tell him to STOP driving fast because I know I would have just stopped listening at that age. But Ive not been able to get through to him. Maybe his speeding ticket last week will help. He got pulled over after running a stop sign and doing 95mph down a big highway... 6 points taken, only 6 more left till he loses his license and the kid just got it...
As far as spirited vs grandma driving goes. I cant keep my foot out of it for an entire tank, at least a few times lol. But "spirited" driving is my comfort zone it seems. Grandma driving is obviously safer and such and I dont mind it as long as Im not in traffic. If Im in traffic I think I pay attention to the mistakes people make and I get frustrated and I have to focus more on keeping my speed low, whereas if I was spirited driving I would have just passed them and not noticed them, and I pay attention to my every move more, my In-The-Zone-Mode I guess lol.
Anyway Ive learned where to spirited drive and where to grandma drive. In town, on open highway I grandma drive, on backroad, or untravelled roads I'll let myself get a bit spirited. My little brother drives too fast and Ive tried to explain this concept to him as a bit of a compromise because I dont want to tell him to STOP driving fast because I know I would have just stopped listening at that age. But Ive not been able to get through to him. Maybe his speeding ticket last week will help. He got pulled over after running a stop sign and doing 95mph down a big highway... 6 points taken, only 6 more left till he loses his license and the kid just got it...