Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 20:52:24 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject: Re: gas mileage
In-Reply-To: <WorldClient-F200509092019.AA19150045@westfam.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
I'm the one who made the suggestion about braking with the brakes and
not the engine. It wasn't a very popular suggestion, in fairness, and I
doubt that it plays a big part in saving gas compared with the other
things, but it's part of my regimen which overall is working just fine.
As you say I am up to 21 and 21.5, previously the same as you were.
Using the same techniques in my diesel westy I am getting 28.1.
What it has to do with (the disengaging) is not letting the engine
think it is being asked to use any fuel at all. I push in the clutch
and let the engine go to idle as I approach a stop sign up a ramp, for
instance, where the rise in the ramp also helps to brake. Unlike some
of the assumptions made about my comments on this technique, I am no so
stupid as to apply it in every situation, but only where it makes
sense.
You do put less strain on the moving parts of the engine by doing this,
even if it doesn't actually save fuel--and I don't know that it
doesn't.
By slowing down and driving smoother, the brakes are less important
anyway. And they're eminently replaceable, unlike the valve train parts
some people are so adamant about using to slow down. We drive these big
clunky wind-brakes (did I just brake wind?) so use the huge frontal
area to slow down with. It works pretty well.
The best idea I heard out of the mileage discussion was the suggestion
to use the AC on the highway, where the aerodynamic advantages of
rolled-up windows offset the drag of the compressor, but turn it off in
town where the drag of the compressor offsets the drag of the low-speed
aerodynamics.
Drive smoothly,
Jim
On Sep 9, 2005, at 8:19 PM, Maggie Dew wrote:
> I took the recent suggestions on the list regarding improving one's gas
> mileage. I aired all the tires to the proper psi, slowed down to 60
> (occasionally 65), and have quit downshifting to come to a stop. I
> have
> always used the gears to slow down and I'm not sure how it helps to
> just
> use the clutch and brake. Does it have to do with disengaging the
> gears
> and not putting torque on the engine? I know my ignorance is probably
> showing again, but oh well. At any rate, I am up to 21 or 22 mpg
> (previously 18 to 20).
>
> Maggie
> '85 Subaru-Westy "Anne Bonney"
>
| 
