8000 Long trip observations

We just completed our first long trip in our 07 pkg 6. 8000 miles A few observations.

We fully expected or mileage to suffer, since we were loaded to the gills, and we would be driving fast through out the west. 70-80mph. Here is what we found. The average for the entire 8000 mile trip was 49 mpg. Our high tank was 53, the low 38.6. The low was with 400 miles of 65mgh head winds across the Dakotas. Close drafting a semi brought it up to the mid 40's, but the cross wind was so bad you couldn't keep the draft.

We found that the mileage was considerably better (counterintuitivly) in the mountains than on the Prairie. My guess is that the ice is more effecient going up hill due to the fact that it has to run, but on the long down grades it picked up porpotionaly more. We saw our highest displays on the mountain streaches. (All mountain driveing from Bellingham, Wa, to Forsyth Mt. via the northcascades highway, over the Idaho panhandle, Kalispel, Helena, no 4 lane)

We aslo noticed that as the outside temp cooled, the mileage went to hell. First mornng out, about 35f it took 2 hours for the car to get close to 50mph. I stopped and bought some foam and plugged the grill, and it warmed up and came up to average much faster. I had a bit of worries driving in the mountains with 55f days thinking it was too warm for a plugged (upper) grill. Not worries. At every stop, I checked how hot the engine was by feel. The block was only warm to touch, and the radiator was cold.

As to handleing complaints. The car does buffet around in the wind a bit, but no more than any other small car. (Try driving a VW Westfalia across the prairies!) It isn't a sports car on winding mountain roads, but thats not what it is for.

All in all the car was comfortable and nice to drive. The nav system was perfect, even in remote parts of Northern On Canada. The sound system was good, the seat good but not great. All our stuff fit in easily along with the dog! To anyone thinking that this is not a good car for transcontinental trips, I say "double the mileage of anything else with all the comfort and size! A no brainer!"

Icarus

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mingoglia @ Nov 6 2007, 03:20 PM) [snapback]535800[/snapback]</div>

It does hill just fine. North Cascades, Loup-Loup, Wauconda, Shermin in WA, 4th of July in ID, Pipestone, Bozeman in MT. No problem anywhere. I wouldn't say we did 75 up all the hills (by choice), but I think we sure could of come close.

Icarus

PS. The great part of the long hills are the downs. The Vantage hill by the Columbia River is the longest unbroken grade west of the Mississippi I believe!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Nov 7 2007, 08:29 AM) [snapback]536169[/snapback]</div>

I changed the oil the day before we left and the day we got back. I run sythetic so 7k shouldn't be a streach.

Icarus

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Nov 7 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]536452[/snapback]</div>

The original poster (me): We had two people and a large dog. One way we have always traveled is packing carefully. Rather than conventional suitcases we tend to pack in rubbermaid storeage boxes. With the back seats folded down, the dog gets 1/4 of the remaining flat area. Small stuff is placed behind the drivers and passengers seats. (There is a lot of space there if you use it. We put stuff in little rubbermaids there)

The remaining flat area gets 2 full sized and 2 1/2 size boxes, following the roof line. larger in the front, smaller in the back. The space in between holds the dogs rubbermaid with her food etc. Behind the rubbermaids, gotten to from the hatch, lies a computer case, motel coffe pot, cmaera case etc. (Under the floor, by the spare is filled with stuff we won't need for the trip)
Finally, behing the drivers seat fits a small playmate cooler and s snack bag, and a small suitcase for motels.

You really can take a lot of stuff if you plan carefully.

Icarus

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrderik @ Nov 8 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]536720[/snapback]</div>

Over the course of 8000 miles, we did similar experiments. We found the same general trend speed/mph. Iw as not as dramatic as your experiance however. Much of it was wind dependent, but the major drop off happened to us above 75 mph. The difference between 70 and 60 was negligable. When you have 800 miles of Montana and N. Dakota ahead of you, time counts for something too.

I used to make that drive many times a year in the days of the 55 mph limit. It took FOREVER to get across! Now when there is a construction zone and you have to slow to 55mph it feels like you are stopped!

I think that our average of 49 was pretty good all things considered.

Icarus

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mrderik @ Nov 8 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]536720[/snapback]</div>

Over the course of 8000 miles, we did similar experiments. We found the same general trend speed/mph. Iw as not as dramatic as your experiance however. Much of it was wind dependent, but the major drop off happened to us above 75 mph. The difference between 70 and 60 was negligable. When you have 800 miles of Montana and N. Dakota ahead of you, time counts for something too.

I used to make that drive many times a year in the days of the 55 mph limit. It took FOREVER to get across! Now when there is a construction zone and you have to slow to 55mph it feels like you are stopped!

I think that our average of 49 was pretty good all things considered.

Icarus