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Date:         Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:33:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Trooz <trooz@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Trooz <trooz@ROADRUNNER.COM>
Subject:      Re: Gas Mileage Improvements?
Comments: To: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTilZj7q0k65sx2iF7lCgvIesYv9MhdrTzC2wCQPY@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Depending upon where you are, I think you should be able to get 20mpg on the road.

On my last trip on my original engine with 221,000 miles on it, I actually got 23 mpg coming home. Now, that's with a total elevation loss of roughly 3,000 feet from Lone Pine, CA to my home in Thousand Oaks over approximately 222 miles, and with no wind which is a major anomaly for that trip. That's with a good load of camera and camping gear and beer, no a/c use, and driving 55 mph which is what I drive when I can stay out of the way.

As others have commented, wind and/or speed is the enemy; elevation and type of fuel also come into play, although I guess everyone has to put up with an ethanol mix now.

I've tracked my mileage since I bought my van in 1995 with 4,600 miles on it. Overall, every bit of gas that's been used by it, my mileage is 17.1. That's at roughly sea level (780') and since my retirement 10 years ago that's mostly city driving.

So, depending upon the route, what your altitude is, the overall condition of your engine and how fast you drive, I think you should reasonably expect 18-20 mpg or more on the open road.

The 23 mpg I referred to above was with compression of 110, 120, 115 and 115. The other significant variable is that I run Hankook RA08 tires at 50 and 60 psi.

Bob Trousdale '90 Westy (with an AT, and a/c that works)

> -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] > On Behalf Of Michael Sullivan > Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 4:19 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Gas Mileage Improvements? > > Well, it seems that all I could really try is to slow down a > little. I have > stock 14" tires and Royal Purple in tranny and final drive. > All new wires, > rotor, etc. My timing could be a little off, though. Wish I > could get > 20mpg. Otherwise, van runs and drives really well. Thanks > for all the > tips. Thought I read the Temp II or something could be > cleaned and possible > help mileage but I may be mistaken. Enjoy the road. > Michael in San Antonio > 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo' > 73 Beetle > > > On Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 6:14 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans < > scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote: > > > do you have pretty standard size tires ? > > wouldn't want big fatties , not for fuel mileage. > > > > >


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