billvon 3,111 #1 October 4, 2009 Good story about a couple who drove across the US, hitting all 48 states, in a nearly unmodified Jetta TDI. Average MPG - 67.9. Only modifications were low rolling resistance tires. Shows what you can do with careful driving and a car that's efficient to begin with. http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/mileage-champs-break-another-record-in-vw-jetta-tdi/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amstalder 0 #2 October 4, 2009 I really enjoyed reading about all this. THe couple has a pretty neat website with all their tips and tricks listed. I wish I had their patience Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kbordson 8 #3 October 4, 2009 Thanks!! That was a very neat story!! Interesting that those tires truly made that much of a difference! But only 19 days?! Were they able to work in a stop at the "Largest Ball of Twine" or the "Corn Palace"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #4 October 4, 2009 >But only 19 days? 500 miles a day isn't too bad. That's 10 hours even with driving 50mph, leaving plenty of time to visit Wall Drug and the Corn Palace. We've made 1400 miles in a day, although that's a miserably long day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #5 October 5, 2009 I believe it, driving habits have a ton to do with gas/fuel consumption. I have an unmodified 2003 Audi A4. It has a small 1.8 liter engine, and a turbo, so it should be moderately efficient. I noticed the mileage was going down and down as my frustration with my commute went up, my speed went up, and I was trying to squeeze the last few minutes out of my day with a shorter commute. Now I set the cruise control at 60 on the highway, and let it coast down my steep hills I encounter for a lot of my drive. I went from 21-23mpg to 32mpg, and my blood pressure lowered too!!!"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #6 October 5, 2009 QuoteGood story about a couple who drove across the US, hitting all 48 states, in a nearly unmodified Jetta TDI. Average MPG - 67.9. Only modifications were low rolling resistance tires. Shows what you can do with careful driving and a car that's efficient to begin with. http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/mileage-champs-break-another-record-in-vw-jetta-tdi/ QuoteLRR tires have a traction problem. Very good for gas mileage but really bad in rain or snow. Is the money saved worth the increase in accidents? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #7 October 5, 2009 Quote QuoteLRR tires have a traction problem. Very good for gas mileage but really bad in rain or snow. Is the money saved worth the increase in accidents? Different tires for different jobs and conditions. I love my high performance tires but I switch to snow tires for the winter. I don't really see it as a problem as long as you drive for the conditions."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #8 October 5, 2009 > Is the money saved worth the increase in accidents? In Maine? Maybe not. In Los Angeles? Probably. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #9 October 5, 2009 QuoteQuote QuoteLRR tires have a traction problem. Very good for gas mileage but really bad in rain or snow. Is the money saved worth the increase in accidents? Different tires for different jobs and conditions. I love my high performance tires but I switch to snow tires for the winter. I don't really see it as a problem as long as you drive for the conditions. Quoteunfortunately very few people have snow tires and drive for the conditions. most people don't even know there is a difference in tires. as cheap as people are they won't even by a good tire not to mention an expensive green tire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #10 October 5, 2009 Quote> Is the money saved worth the increase in accidents? In Maine? Maybe not. In Los Angeles? Probably. QuoteI can see the LA freeways on a rainy day being alot worse with a great increase in accidents Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Misternatural 0 #11 October 5, 2009 cool stuff, My '84 Beemer (gasoline) has a fuel milage gauge built right into the dash, stock! so far using a higher gear, lower RPM and easy on the accelerator driving can give a reading of 40 MPG But I am not sure what the gauge is measuring...is it fuel flow vs car travel? simple RPM vs Odometer reading? or fuel burn efficiency? because combustion engines generally run more efficiently at the higher range of their performance RPM don't they?Beware of the collateralizing and monetization of your desires. D S #3.1415 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #12 October 5, 2009 >But I am not sure what the gauge is measuring. The simplest (older) MPG gauges just measure manifold vacuum. Vacuum is higher when the throttle setting is smaller (i.e. lower power) so it's a rough indicator of fuel economy. Modern gauges use speedometer and fuel flow inputs to get a more accurate reading. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #13 October 5, 2009 It is also interesting to see the mileage possible from Corvette's built over the last 12 years. http://www.examiner.com/x-11235-Corvette-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Corvette-gas-mileage-is-astounding"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #14 October 5, 2009 Quote>But only 19 days? 500 miles a day isn't too bad. That's 10 hours even with driving 50mph, leaving plenty of time to visit Wall Drug and the Corn Palace. We've made 1400 miles in a day, although that's a miserably long day. It's ok for a few days, but by the end of the first week, I'd be punchy. The mileage of the VWs coupled with the much simpler design makes it very attractive. And right now, diesel is selling for less than 87. But two summers back when we had the $4.50 gas, it was priced higher than 91, so I'm still considering that concern, as well as it being at about half the gas stations out there. I'd have to reform my male, wait till its 3 degrees below the E line to get gas, behavior. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #15 October 6, 2009 QuoteIt is also interesting to see the mileage possible from Corvette's built over the last 12 years. http://www.examiner.com/x-11235-Corvette-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Corvette-gas-mileage-is-astounding Ultimately fuel economy is limited by front area and Cd on flat ground and weight in hilly environments. The Corvette is neither large, un-aerodynamic, nor heavy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #16 October 6, 2009 QuoteQuoteIt is also interesting to see the mileage possible from Corvette's built over the last 12 years. http://www.examiner.com/x-11235-Corvette-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Corvette-gas-mileage-is-astounding Ultimately fuel economy is limited by front area and Cd on flat ground and weight in hilly environments. The Corvette is neither large, un-aerodynamic, nor heavy. No it isn't. My small, light, "slippery" Porsche 944 (2.5L 4-cyl) gets 27 overall (lots of city)and has done nearly 40 on a couple long, steady, fairly slow (65mph) trips Edit to add: I run 40psi in the tires too."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #17 October 6, 2009 QuoteQuote>But only 19 days? 500 miles a day isn't too bad. That's 10 hours even with driving 50mph, leaving plenty of time to visit Wall Drug and the Corn Palace. We've made 1400 miles in a day, although that's a miserably long day. It's ok for a few days, but by the end of the first week, I'd be punchy. The mileage of the VWs coupled with the much simpler design makes it very attractive. And right now, diesel is selling for less than 87. But two summers back when we had the $4.50 gas, it was priced higher than 91, so I'm still considering that concern, as well as it being at about half the gas stations out there. I'd have to reform my male, wait till its 3 degrees below the E line to get gas, behavior. It may get higher than premium again, but it is nice to know that you can use alternate fuel like waste vegi oil if you were motivated to do so. I have been thinking about getting an older diesel car for that exact reason."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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