mileage experiment

[tonybaloney]

i took a weekend trip from houston to austin (~200 miles one way) and here is what i found out.

on the way there: meter reads 17.0mpg and actual calculation is 15.7mpg

on the way back: meter reads 21.2mpg and haven't done the calculation yet. i have 1/4 gas left with 270 miles traveled

differences:

- a lot more windier on the way there
- driving 75-85 mph on the way there and 70-80 on the way back

can wind and speed along make that much difference?

 

[icantsee]

 

[sharp4runr]

Definitely speed can. I took a long trip on my motorcycle and going 65mph got better gas mileage (3-4mpg+) than when I was averaging 75mph. Your engine has to work that much harder to keep your vehicle at faster speeds thus burning more gas.

 

[alaskaman]

yes on the wind speed question. ask any airline bean counter.

 

[Jaebster]

Yes wind is a big factor if it is really windy. Wind pushing you from behind will help mileage. Wind pushing you from front will hurt mileage. Side wind will be a figure between the two.
Also, in terms of speed, I've also experimented on a flat highway with no traffic. i.e. on the way to vegas and set the cruise control at different speed intervals and press the mpg reset button every few seconds. I have notice as big as a 2-4 mile/gallon difference between the speeds of 70-85. I haven't quite figured which speed at which RPM is optimal but yes, speed is also a factor.