MPG experiments

[Andy Leszczynski]

hardware:
-2002 Impreza 2.5TS, 90k miles
-Yakima racks + 3 pairs of skis with poles mounted in the less
aerodynamically efficient way possible
-car loaded with 2 adults and 7 years old boy and all the gear for 9
days ski trip


route and time frame:
-Chicago-Denver-Santa Fe-Springfield Missouri-Chicago (3400 miles)
-December 25 2005 to January 1 2006


scenario #1:
-Iowa
-heavy rain
-very strong front-side wind
-car speed 75-85 mph
-20 MPG

scenario #2:
-Colorado
-no wind, beautiful weather
-car speed: 85-95 mph
-22 MPG

scenario #3:
-Santa Fe
-frequent mountains trips
-heavy acceleration on the mountains roads
-relatively slow driving
-23.5 MPG

scenario #4:
-Texas
-car speed: 80-85 mph
-VERY strong tail wind
-27MPG

scenario #5:
-Missouri and Illinois
-car speed: 65-70 mph
-no wind
-26.5 MPG



bottom line:
-MPGwise: 70mpg and 80mph are totally different.
Andy

 

[Richard E Courtright]

-MPGwise: 70mpg and 80mph are totally different.

Hi,

Think "wind resistance!" Notice the great mileage despite the speed w/ a
strong tailwind vs what you had w/ a headwind! I don't remember the
factor (resistance increases w/ square of velocity??? Someone knows...)
but wind IS your biggest enemy for mileage--one of the reasons the US
national speed limit was lowered to 55 mph after the early '70s gas
crunch. Considering whatever might have passed for aerodynamics on most
cars then, it made a pretty big difference for many.

Interesting numbers overall!

Rick