Date:         Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:18:20 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Rear brake shoes affect MPG.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

Recently I changed the shoes on my 84 Inline 4-powered van.  I have been
having a tough time getting the shoes adjusted, for various reasons.  The
shoes 'wanted' to be tightly adjusted in order to give me a decent brake
pedal feel..Dragging slightly on the drums.  I've been fiddling with them
for a few days now.
  Last night I filled my gas tank, and , like I always do, I figured my fuel
mileage.  I do this usually to check the general well being of my vehicle..
Well, with the tight rear brakes, my miles per gallon dropped ~ 3mpg!  I
went from my normal  ~25 to 21.9.  with part of that drop being caused by a
couple of sessions driving around with my foot on the pedal trying to 'seat'
those new rear brake shoes.
   It's helpful to keep track of your fuel consumption.  I know now that my
rear brakes are too dang tight..(actually, I knew that from the heat I could
feel at the rear wheels also, but..)  Before I take off on my planned 3k
mile road trip, I will certainly ease off the rear shoes some more...Save
$65 on my fuel bill for the drive by doing so..
  Don Hanson