[QUOTE=bvanhiel,Jan 24 2007, 06:56 AM]
I don't even know where to start.

 

Ok how about this. I will test the theory this weekend (when I have enough time) if bvanhiel agrees that my proposed test satisfies his worries about aerodynamic friction.

I suggest that I fill my tank, then take a approximately 30 min, highway only, drive from gas station A to gas station B. Check my mileage, fill my tank, record both mileage and fuel used. Then drive back from gas station B to gas station A, record both again.

But wait, what about if the wind is blowing?! HOLD ON. I will do BOTH trips at 60 mph using cruise control.

I will then repeat the process again, fill up, drive from A to B, record, fill, drive from B to A, this time cruising at 70mph.

I will now have the amount of fuel used, and the miles traveled going from point A to B, and from point B to A, for both average speeds.

But that's not all, I will even take a stop watch with me so that I can record the time each trip takes so that we can have a true average, though I will do my best to find 2 locations that have gas station very close by to the exits.

How about some more accuracy? OK. I will even make sure that the car is turned off for exactly 5 minutes during filling (to eliminate the complaint of heat soak or such) and will make all shifts as close to 4k rpm as possible as well as doing my best to maintain a steady even driving style during acceleration and deceleration for both on and off ramps.

I will then take the average fuel used, the average distance, and the average time and post them up here with the average mpg for each trip.

So bvanhiel, how does it sound? Is that a controlled enough test? Of course ideally a longer trip would be preferred to stabilize the average speed, but I have taken that mostly into account by ensuring as close as possible driving styles during acceleration, deceleration, and taking into account possible traffic by having the gas stations as close to the exits as possible.

 

yes - each and every single time. you mean you havent been similarly blessed?

 

i have seen average 21-23 in daily driving, when on freeway i am going over 70 below 85. on trips i have seen 28 plus, again same freeway speeds.

if i go to tahoe, which is elevation i have gotten 25 mix, going down hill i see 30 plus.

my sense is that average is 21-23 and trips is over 28 for most folks, regardless of speed.

 

Actually, just from my experience driving from Oklahoma City to Dallas and back, I DO get better mileage on the trip back from Dallas than on my trip down to Dallas. When I make this trip, the prevailing winds are always out of the south -- giving me a headwind going to Dallas and a tail wind returning from Dallas.

But that being said, I consistantly get better mpgs at the higher speeds than at lower speeds -- for the let of the trip I am on. All my experience has been in the '01 AP1.

I know why claims such as this are contrversial -- they go against conventional wisdom. Hell, they even counter what the owners' manual says!

 

please let us know your test results

 

There will be no test until bvan agrees that the way I am testing will sufficiently eliminate the conditions as a variable. Since many people have already independently tested this theory and proven it true in uncontrolled (read daily) conditions.

 

all up to you, bvan. j/k it would be nice if we came to conclusion some time this year.

 

i think bvan should actually BUY an s2k so he can test for himself

 

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