The first 1/2 the trip goes through palm springs, which has a big hill up, then
a big hill down and a strong wind from the rear. You can pretty much coast
through palm springs (don the hill, and then some) for a few miles with no
engine. That would help my economy somewhat... to be completely fair, I would
have to do the same trip but do the 1st half at 80 and the second half at 55
and compare.
-=Mike
Miles Harris III wrote:
> ----Original Message Follows----
> >From: Michael Kuriger <michael@isuzu-mods.com>
> >Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> >To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> >Subject: Re: DML: fuel economy
> >Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2000 13:46:31 -0800
>
> >I took a trip from L.A. to Mesa, AZ this weekend in my durango. for the
> >first 1/2 of the trip I bit the bullet and went 55 MPH. I also did not
> >rev the motor over 2000 RPM. I got 26 MPG. The rest of the trip I >went
> >about 80 MPH (75 MPH speed limit) and I got 17 MPG. Why such a >big
> >difference?
>
> Putting it simply (only simply because of my understanding not yours), it
> takes more energy to move the vehicle 80 MPH than 55. Now I don't know how
> scientific this is but 17 MPG is around 65% of 26 MPG (or 35% less)and your
> 80 MPH travel on the second part of the trip is an increase in speed of 45%
> over the 55 MPH you traveled on the first half of the trip. There appears to
> be a rough correlation. I do know that two of the reasons for the increase
> use of fuel is due to road and wind resistance. They increase as your speed
> increases forcing the engine to use more fuel to maintain the rpm required.
>
> Other factors also will affect the different MPG between the first and
> second half of your trip would be hills as well as wind direction.
>
> Of course while you used 35% more fuel on the second half of the trip you
> did get to where you were going 45% quicker.
>
> If you require a more technical answer, let me know and I will ask my son.
> Hey I paid for his engineering degree I might as well get some use out of
> it.
>
> Miles Harris III
> Simi Valley, CA
> 01 CC 2.5L 5 speed.
>
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-- -=Mike Kuriger 1991 Isuzu Impulse RS 1.8 2000 Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 4.7 http://www.isuzu-mods.com http://www.twistedbits.net/WWWProfile/dakota/NgFQdD9vkNHNg
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