roadtrip w/ AC - 52MPG ~ 70MPH!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACORNBLUES @ Aug 31 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]505087[/snapback]</div>

At 70 mph, air drag plays a significant part in MPG because it also impacts the engine speed range. My rule of thumb is benchmarks at speeds above 35 mph need to note the wind direction and velocity. At night, the surface winds tend to die down but during the day, they can be significant. You may be able to access climate data that shows the winds on the day of your trip.

Bob Wilson

 

I kinda doubt an EBH is going to help your MPG aspirations in San Diego.
What's the yearly low in SD? Somewhere around 50 for a day or two? :lol:
I don't see any change in MPGs until the weather drops under 50 and stays there.

I used to live in SD (near Sunset Cliffs), and boy do I miss it during the winter months!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(unruhly @ Aug 31 2007, 08:41 PM) [snapback]505247[/snapback]</div>

The EBH helps during the first 5-10 minutes, especially the first 5, even when ambient temp is warm. On my commute, I was getting less than 25 the first 5, after starting to use the EBH that went up above 55 mpg on the first 5 minutes some mornings, and that's with the garage around 75. You can glide much sooner after initial startup using the EBH. I'm pleased with mine even during the summer!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abq sfr @ Aug 31 2007, 11:10 PM) [snapback]505257[/snapback]</div>

Very interesting.
Even after stopping for 5 minutes at the grocery store, I still get way reduced mileage the first 5, and I know the car is still hot.
Do you (or anyone else) know what temp the EBH maintains??
I might have to rethink this especially with winter approaching.

Thanks!

 

I just did a trip to Disneyland from the SF East bay. It was a 385 mile trip with a significant portion being on the flat straight, boring I5. We generally set the Cruise at 80mph. We got constant bars at 42mpg. So, that correlates well with the 52mpg at 70mph. After going over the grapevine and travelling a bit slower in the LA traffice we ended up with 45.2mpg on the way down and 45.8 on the way back. I was still happy with that mileage.

For that trip, changing the speed from 80mph to 70mph would cost me about 30-40 minutes. Since we have two young kids that was a trade-off worth making.(to me). So, it cost me about $5 to save the 30 minutes.