Date:         Wed, 17 Aug 2005 23:29:39 -0700
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      fuel efficiency and gas mileage (was Re: How much fuel efficiency
              gained by shedding 300 lbs?
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005081710360951@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

FWIW, speed definitely makes a huge difference in fuel efficiency.

When my Boston Bob engine was newly installed, Bob told me to keep it at 50
mph (I think - maybe 55, but I don't think so) for the first 1000 miles.  It
was all highway driving, so I was very steady in speed.  I got around 24 mpg
for those 1000 miles.  Whoooo-hooo!  Then at 1000 miles on the engine I put
my foot down on the accelerator (I had a destination - this was all in a few
days) and went up to 70, which the van does easily if I'm not going uphill.
Gas mileage plummeted to 17-18 mpg.

Too bad I can't get myself to stay at 50 mph all the time - big savings!



Joy

****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon

For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy

****************************************************************

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Roger Sisler
:::Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:35 AM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: How much fuel efficiency gained by shedding 300 lbs?
:::
:::I just heard on the radio that driving over 60 mph is like paying .15
:::cents
:::for each mile per hour over this figure.If gas is $2,50/gallon(dont we
:::wish), driving 75 mph is like paying $4.75/gallon.I havent tried this
:::myself,but it think it might be a bit high.75mph is a place I only
:::approach
:::by passing slower vehicles,and this only takes about 5 minutes.