Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 16:54:54 -0400 (EDT)
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: KENYON FAIREY <kfairey@oit.umass.edu>
Subject: Re: Cruising Speed
I have tended to hold both of my '91 Westies to 65 MPH max. The first I drove
8500 miles last summer from MA to Utah, up to Waterton, Alberta and home. It
cruised beautifully at 65 and I got 22-24 mpg on most of the trip. The Eisen-
hower tunnel climb found me (fully loaded) in the truck lane in 2nd or 3rd
at the steep end though!
Just received my "new" '91 and took it our for a test run. Cruises quietly at
65 on the highway -- and even in the Berkshire Hills on the 2 lane! It has
28K well maintained miles on it, the previous one had 15K miles at the start
of my summer trip. So both of these were low miles well maintained vehicles.
I consider 65 on the highway "gentle" driving - if you listen to your engine
and keep the vehicle well maintained. The real key is to be in tune with the
engine (also watch the tach!), have a good "feel" and "ear" for any signs of
engine strain. It's kinda like riding a hunter (horse) -- becoming one with
your mount!
Kenyon
>
> There have been a couple questions about optimal cruising speeds. One
> today said 65 mph for an 81 air cooled van. Another Westy owner once
> suggested 55 as optimal (for water cooled late 80's models). I happened to
> meet this guy while I was on a trip. He claimed to have been a VW
> mechanic. My gas mileage soared! But otherwise, at what point are you
> being too hard on the van? Under some circumstances 55 would be TOO slow
> (in terms of traffic and conditions).
>
> Any thoughts out there? I, too, tend to try to drive my van gently.
>
> Kathy
> 87 Westy GL
>
>
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenyon Fairey, Re.D. Adjunct Assistant Professor
Assistant Director Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Office of Information Technologies Department of Forestry &
Help Desk Services Wildlife Management
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
A 117, Lederle Graduate Research Center Internet -- KFairey@OIT.UMass.EDU
University of Massachusetts Phone -- (413)-545-4366
Amherst, MA 01003 FAX -- (413)-545-3203