I've drivin like I have no brakes for years....Mostly because some of the beaters I had, didn't have brakes...LOL
__________________
1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
I once filled up in Cornwall Ontario and drove 1,154 km to Fredricton New Brunswick on a tank of gas, how many people can get over 1,154 km on one tankful? Okay so it was in a Suburban with 170 litre tank.....But that's still close to 7litres / 100km. We were on holidays so I went for mileage just for fun.
Seriously though I posted this in another thread, my Cadillac's on board computer has made me very consience about driving habits and my runs to the cottage now become a compromise between fuel econmy and driving just slow enough not to be run over on Hwy 400 where the average speed (for those not in Ontario) is about 140 kph. I use the neutral trick all the time but with it's shear mass the Caddy get's going pretty darn fast, I only use the brakes when necessary and I have found that about 116 kph is safe enough to drive on the 400 so that's where I peg the cruise, any higher than that and the fuel consumption starts dipping. I also run 40 PSI all round. Even at this my last trip was 8.5 litres / 100 km. I suppose you can't expect much better from a 32 valve, dual over head cam 275 HP motor.
Some of the techniques used are useful, but others are stupid and dangerous like not using brakes when turning, rolling stops etc. I take the back roads in my daily commute from London to Ingersoll (37km each way) instead of the 401. I drive my 92 S10 2.5, 5 speed and hit 5th gear as soon as possible. I drive 90kmh. I'm getting about 23mpg which is about normal for these engines. I also run synthetic oil. I'm curious about those home made hydrogen "cells" guys are making that are supposed to boost mileage. I have everything needed to make one so I may throw one together and test it on a tank of gas. There is no denying these things produce hydrogen, but the jury is out on whether it's enough to make a difference. Some guys, especially long distance truck drivers swear by them. I have nothing to lose so I may as well give one a go. Heck, if it works, I'll make one for the Laurentian. It really needs help in the MPG dept! Todd
Todd, that is interesting that you get about 23. I drive my 6 speed LT1 94 Impala SS about 7 miles each way to work. It's all country driving, no town traffic. It does about 23mpg in the summer!
On the open road, it will do about 27. People ask me how I can afford to drive a gas hog. When I tell them I'm likely doing better on fuel than their van, or in some case their FWD car they are amazed.
Our Roadmaster has pulled off 30 mpg on an interstate run from here to Minneapolis (400 miles) driving 70 mph, no a/c on, no stops. Again, why drive a small car???
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I posted the politically correct litres / 100 km. To be consistent with the others, my Cadillac is getting 25-27 highway and 15 - 17 city. At some point power to weight ratio has to come into effect combined with gearing on these big V8 cars. Another thing to consider is how many passengers you can accomodate in a big car versus taking two small cars on the same trip to accomodate people and luggage. Lastly I am 6'2" and although I have not stepped on a scale lately I am 250 lbs. at least....small cars don't fit me!
Isn't it funny that the higher horse LT1's are better than the throttle body engines? We had a 92 Roadmaster sedan with a 350 prior to this car, and this one has about 60 more horsepower and better fuel economy. Go figure.
To me the LT1 and the 3800 are the two best mileage engines out there for the power they return.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Isn't it funny that the higher horse LT1's are better than the throttle body engines? We had a 92 Roadmaster sedan with a 350 prior to this car, and this one has about 60 more horsepower and better fuel economy. Go figure.
To me the LT1 and the 3800 are the two best mileage engines out there for the power they return.
This is my point exactly on power to weight. Ironic too that both engines initially introduced in the 50's and early 60's are among two of GM's best, now out of production.....go figure.
I bought my LT1 wagon in Niagara Falls, and drove back via Chicago and Kansas City. My highest MPG was in Iowa at 110 km on cruise, and was 31 MPG. My trip average was 27 MPG. My Venture mini vans best was 28, and average was about 25 on the highway.
