Date:         Wed, 14 May 1997 23:24:49 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         tbill <tbill@startext.net>
Subject:      Re: Cruising Speed

Mark B. Magee wrote:
> 
> Katherine McElveen wrote:
> >
> > 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
> We routinely push our 87GL Autoboxer down the intense Houston area
> freeways at with a full load of pax, w/AC blazing Max Cold at 70MPH. As
> well, we will drive 70 on trips.
> Mark B. Magee
> 87GL 82K
> Kemah TX USA

Yeah, me too.  something to do with TX I guess.  I don't think running
wide open will hurt the engine if your oil and cooling  systems are OK. 
My 1.9 will do 83 on the flat with no head wind, but what I typically do
is get behind a truck, back off on the throtle and do 70 or so.  Lucky
to get 20 mpg tho...

TBill
83 1/2 Westy
Ft. Worth, TX

***Cover me, I'm changing lanes.***