Driving on the highway seems like I'm stressing the car

[xtremesniper]

Haha I think I might consider the pedo bear...

However, it's not really an issue going that fast because I'm completely comfortable doing it. In fact, when the entire highway is going faster than speed limit, people who go exactly 100KM/h (or even less) sick out like sore thumbs, and cause people to switch lanes to go around, which as we all know increases your chances of getting into an accident by a lot.

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.

But anyways, back on topic, a constant 3500 rpm isn't stress? It just sounds like it to me, but hey, that's why I'm on here asking. ;)

[MUSKOKA800]

Originally Posted by xtremesniper

Haha I think I might consider the pedo bear...

However, it's not really an issue going that fast because I'm completely comfortable doing it. In fact, when the entire highway is going faster than speed limit, people who go exactly 100KM/h (or even less) sick out like sore thumbs, and cause people to switch lanes to go around, which as we all know increases your chances of getting into an accident by a lot.

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.

But anyways, back on topic, a constant 3500 rpm isn't stress? It just sounds like it to me, but hey, that's why I'm on here asking. ;)

Not to worry. I recently drove from Burlington to Regina via the US route. Speed limits are 75 mph through ND and traffic flows at 85 mph. It was "exciting" to say the least for the first hour but my sedan cruised nicely at 85 mph (135-140 kph) for hours on end. The apparent lack of traffic (compared to the GTA) was a pleasant surprise. And folks stay right so I could run the cruise control, passing when necessary, at 85 mph for looooooong periods without interuption.
Man it's nice to be able to cover some ground, so unlike the perpetual gridlock around Southern Ontario.

[xtremesniper]

Originally Posted by MUSKOKA800

Not to worry. I recently drove from Burlington to Regina via the US route. Speed limits are 75 mph through ND and traffic flows at 85 mph. It was "exciting" to say the least for the first hour but my sedan cruised nicely at 85 mph (135-140 kph) for hours on end. The apparent lack of traffic (compared to the GTA) was a pleasant surprise. And folks stay right so I could run the cruise control, passing when necessary, at 85 mph for looooooong periods without interuption.
Man it's nice to be able to cover some ground, so unlike the perpetual gridlock around Southern Ontario.

Good to hear, thanks for that.

Definitely agreed on the GTA traffic, though I don't think it's too different from what people would experience in other big cities around the States like New York or LA. Most people still generally are nice enough to let you merge here, and I don't know of too many incidents where fingers had to be raised at other drivers. So I think we're probably not even as bad, except when compared to smaller towns. The main reason for the "getting nowhere any time soon" problem is due to the lack of proper infrastructure for both cars and transit. Most people have no viable alternate method of transportation.

I think in general my biggest issue on the roads is people not following the basic rules of the road, like signaling when changing lanes, driving at least speed limit (hate people who go 50-60 in a 70), actually stopping at stop signs and not just slowing down to 20 and then rolling through, and even something as basic as staying in your own lane. I think those problems are mainly due to people talking on cell phones, being elderly, or being "too cool" for the rules.

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by xtremesniper

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.

This may sound flippant, but I say again that it isn't your problem. As long as you are doing the right thing and following the laws and regulations it matters not one whit if anyone else doesn't like it. They are free to petition the appropriate government entity for a modification or repeal of the laws and regulations that they don't like, or for more active enforcement of the ones that they prefer.

Originally Posted by jambo101

How are you in the slow lane if traffic is passing you on both sides

They're called highway exits, or off ramps, and there are also merging lanes.

[xtremesniper]

Originally Posted by BailOut

This may sound flippant, but I say again that it isn't your problem. As long as you are doing the right thing and following the laws and regulations it matters not one whit if anyone else doesn't like it. They are free to petition the appropriate government entity for a modification or repeal of the laws and regulations that they don't like, or for more active enforcement of the ones that they prefer.


They're called highway exits, or off ramps, and there are also merging lanes.

I agree with you, but keep in mind that in Canada (at least the part of Canada that I live in) the speed limit on highways is 100KM/h, which equates to about 62mph. It's slow, and almost no one goes at that speed. Law abiding or not, I think going that slow on the highway is actually much more dangerous than "breaking" the law (which I put in quotations because no one gets ticketed for going 120, as it is the implied norm). The absolute max over any speed limit you can travel in Ontario is 50KM/h over, which would equate to 93mph on the highways. At that speed, you get your car impounded and your license revoked for at least a week.

[ern-diz]

i'm pretty sure, at least in california, that one of the laws IS to keep up with the flow of traffic...posted 65mph signs are for ideal conditions but, if the flow is 80mph, than in order to avoid being an obstruction, u should be going 80mph...on the flip side, if conditions are hard rain and everyone is moving at 50mph, then at that moment, the speed limit is 50mph...i drive an average of 80mph on all highways i use in my area and have been passed by highway patrol many times at those speeds...faster than the flow (and slower than the flow) disrupt the flow and in my humble opinion, is more dangerous than keeping pace...i honestly can't stand it when people feel like they're in their own bubble on the road...i don't agree with getting into wolf packs, proper spacing is crucial but, in my experience driving in your own bubble leads to decision making that can negatively affect the larger body of traffic...we need to be aware of each other, even if that means losing a few mpg, so i myself can totally understand what sniper is saying...need i even mention the 'person going 55 in the carpool' scenario?...we all know what kinds of problems that creates...

as for stress on the yaris, i must admit that i would prefer a bit less sound from the engine at 80mph (which makes the thought of a 6th gear, as mentioned in another thread, a nice idea) but, i understand that these engines are built for high revs so, i know i'm not doing any damage at a sustained 3500 rpm...

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by ern-diz

i'm pretty sure, at least in california, that one of the laws IS to keep up with the flow of traffic

Like most States, California has laws dealing with impeding the flow of traffic. However, it is entirely subjective both from enforcement and conviction standpoints, and the only definitive laws deal with the left-most lane. In other words, doing the speed limit, or even a bit below the speed limit (meaning 55 MPH), in the right-hand lane, is perfectly legal and defensible.

Here's an article from the California Chronicle that explains it all:

http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/105497