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Date:         Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:44:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      misc (mpg, transmission, driving habits.)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

My most recent vehicle purchase is not a Vanagon. But a Jaguar X-Type (small 4 wheel drive sedan). I got it as I wanted a winter vehicle OTHER than my Vanagons, and I wanted something that got (relatively) good fuel economy.

So it is interesting (to me) to compare engine/transmission and fuel economy between it and my "normal" Vanagons.

Vehicle Jaguar X-type Vanagon Syncro Vanagon Syncro Camper Engine 3.0 V6 3.3 H6 3.3 H6 weight 3428 lbs 3650 lbs 4000 lbs HP 231 240 240 MPG 18-30mpg 16-17 mpg 15-17 mpg L n/a 6.03 6.03 1st 3.42 3.78 3.78 2nd 2.14 2.06 2.06 3rd 1.45 1.23 1.08 4th 1.03 0.86 0.70 5th 0.77 n/a n/a Final Drive 3.80 5.43 5.43 Tire size 225/45R17 225/70R15 215/75R16

MPG figure is real world experience GPS corrected for tire size differences.

Tire size on the vanagon doesn't seem to make any difference towards fuel economy (from using 205/65R15 tires or 215/75R16)

On the Jag, the gearing is oriented towards sporty. If I don't shift extremely early the mpg figure drops dramatically. Early shifting is around 2800 rpm (at most). On the Vanagons, I find that if I shift at less than 4000 rpms, the engine tends to accelerate VERY slowly (On the Westy, the big jump between 2nd and 3rd really means I wind up 2nd pretty decently.)

In reviewing all the specs, it occurs to me that while the aerodynamics make some difference as to the fuel economy, especially above 50 mph, it is possible that the final drive ratio is the big difference.

I'll have to do a lot more experimenting with driving habits in my passenger syncro to see if I can't make a significant impact on my fuel economy.


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