Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (May 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
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


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.