Date:         Mon, 16 Feb 2004 19:26:53 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: "green" cars (NVC)
Comments: To: Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net>
In-Reply-To:  <LNEGIFOFAGFAMGHJMFKBGEAPCBAA.wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Stan Wilder wrote:
> Mine goes from 17 mpg at 70 mph to about 22 mpg at 55 and lighter weight
> cars do even better on the spread.

My '94 Honda Civic, in spite of being a very "slippery" car, lost 3 mpg
(from 40 to 37) if I drove at 75 mph instead of 60.  Adding a roof rack
and a bicycle would trim off another 4-5 mpg, due to the added drag.
Stuff hanging out in the air stream -- big mirrors, luggage racks, kewl
wings on the trunk -- all contributes to drag and reduces your highway
fuel economy.

Dunno what kind of milage the Volvo gets yet.  The odometer doesn't work
in cold weather.  It's not very aerodynamic, though.  (Both Volvo 240
owners and Vanagon owners refer to their vehicles as "bricks".)

--

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 VW Diesel Westfalia
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon