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I road trip from Dallas, TX to Jacksonville, FL quite a bit (just over 1000 miles one way). We usually drive Xena, the 2002 Nissan Xterra (3.3 V6 4x2). Just slowing down from 70 to 55 improves the gas mileage from 17 to 21-22. This is with the AC running the whole way (since we bring our dog with us and summer heat in the south is horrible). We have gotten up to 24 mpg with AC off.
In the city the freeway speed limits are usually 55-65. Outside the cities we have seen speed limit signs that read MAX 70 MIN 50 and MAX 60 MIN 40. We average 55 so legally we are fine either way. I can definitely tell when someone is coming up on me from behind at speeds higher than that. I just pull to the right side of my lane to give them more space and do my best to avoid them. I sometimes tap on my brake a few times just to make the light come on and hopefully alert the other driver.
I think the button brake light is a great idea for situations like this, since I don't actually want to slow down.
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