A word on gas consumption
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A word on gas consumption
There have been a lot of threads on gas consumption lately. Just got home from a long highway run tonight. It was cool and damp tonight, so much so that the brine trucks were out coating the over passes and ramps, just hovering around freezing. Any way I could see that I was getting good consumption 5 litres per 100 km, at 115 kph on cruise, so I flipped my DIC to imperial so I could make a meanig full post. Turns out I was getting between 30 and 43 mpg at 70 to 75 mph. I saw 56 to 70 mpg on slight grades in the road. My car is a 98 Deville. I recently pumped up tire pressure to 34 as a result of some posts here, rides harder but I'd say that's good mileage for a Northstar in a big Deville. Kinda of funny to see the range estimator increasing with the further you drive!
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From: pennsylvania
RE: A word on gas consumption
thats fantasic mpg!!!! .....katz, you're only running 34' pressure? ........i thought you run higher. i'm lucky and feel good getting 28mpg with the sts.... though, i run pretty hard most times. i run 38' pressure on goodyear integrity..... seems to handle and ride to me liking. ......for winter i'll drop it to 32'.... that gets me around better with this white stuff we get here.... late
rickyd
rickyd
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RE: A word on gas consumption
ORIGINAL: rickyd
though, i run pretty hard most times.
though, i run pretty hard most times.
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On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
ORIGINAL: rickyd
thats fantasic mpg!!!! .....katz, you're only running 34' pressure? ........i thought you run higher. i'm lucky and feel good getting 28mpg with the sts.... though, i run pretty hard most times. i run 38' pressure on goodyear integrity..... seems to handle and ride to me liking. ......for winter i'll drop it to 32'.... that gets me around better with this white stuff we get here.... late
rickyd
thats fantasic mpg!!!! .....katz, you're only running 34' pressure? ........i thought you run higher. i'm lucky and feel good getting 28mpg with the sts.... though, i run pretty hard most times. i run 38' pressure on goodyear integrity..... seems to handle and ride to me liking. ......for winter i'll drop it to 32'.... that gets me around better with this white stuff we get here.... late
rickyd
On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
that is an obsolete old practice from the days of bias tires and 1st generation radial tires.
Today's tires, the higher the pressure the better the footprint, up to the MAX on the sidewall.
The reason is that the side walls dont pull up on the thread which remains firmly sited on the tar mat. Exception? With chains, I drop the pressure to the door specified to save the vehicle from the onslaught of the rattle.
Yesterday's tires would bulge with higher pressures, today's high quality tires, do not. I did say "high quality tires." The only reason to deflate to lower pressures of 28 psi is .. you guess it .. comfort.
Normally, I run 34 to 36 psi on the cars, 42 - 46 psi on the 4x4 and trucks, when unloaded - a little higher if loaded.
Never do I run down to the door's 28 psi. Not enough traction for my driving.
As a side note, our local P.D. pumps all their cruisers to 38 psi, year round.
lastly, flexing of anything requires energy. That includes the sidewall.
Less flex, more power to the tar mat with less energy.
It is simple science as Katz found out. I got well over 30 mph on the MK VII for years. That baby has the 5.0 EFI at around 260 hp and I rarely dropped below 80 mph. Highway cruiser.
The Allante is not so lucky, it is my in-town beater, but still has to handle tough traffic maneuvers and she does carry 34 psi.. When the rainy season starts this month, she will go up to 38 psi for even better grip.
================================================== ==================
The following should probably be another thread, but then, the snow comment brought it on.
Strictly for OFF-ROAD - NOT THE HIGHWAY:
Driving in sand or extreme bad dirt road, then the 4x4 gets dropped down to 15 psi, 4WD engaged,
both for traction on lose surfaces and to ease off rattle damage to the vehicle, speeds are under 40 mph, sometimes as less, sometimes really low (8 mph) with "low range engaged" - depending on the situation and the load of the vehicle. I can drag a 10,000 lb tree over mud with the "low range engaged". You gotta know your 4x4 machine to do this well.
Halving air pressure will generally increase the amount of tire touching the NON-PAVED terrain by as much as 50 % , for muddy or loose gravel, dirt, hills and even on snow and give one a better bite.
But be careful of a couple of things: If running low pressure don't drive too fast - you could heat up and prematurely fail the tire.
Also, the tire is more susceptible to coming off the bead during high-speed cornering or a rock or stump.
The rim has less protection should yu impact an object.
Another point should be obvious: You got to have a way to air the tires back up before hitting the pavement. I use to use a 12V compressor, slow, but it works. On board air is nice, but can be pricey.
You also loose some clearance by airing down, so it won't help you get unstuck if you're high-centered. Airing Down: You can get all different type of air down set at many 4x4 shops, a good one is the TRAILHEAD AUTOMATIC TIRE DEFLATORS by Oasis. It's good for airing down all your tires to the same pressure even while you're driving. Its a no-brainer deflator. Remove the valve caps, replace with the TRAILHEAD AUTOMATIC TIRE DEFLATORS, and drive off. No need to wait for the tires to deflate. OASIS recommends you stay under 20 MPH and remove them within an hour.
I'm cheap. I just get out, deflate by hand and drive off.
.
The rule of thumb is for every 10ÌŠ Fahrenheit change in air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher temperatures and down with lower).
In most parts of North America, the difference between average summer and winter temperatures is about -50ÌŠ Fahrenheit...which results in a potential loss of about 5 psi as winter's temperatures set in. And a 5 psi loss is enough to sacrifice handling, traction, and durability! Adjust upwards to compensate in winter.
It's important to remember that your vehicle's recommended tire pressure is its cold tire inflation pressure. It should be checked in the morning before you drive
If you live in the North and park in an attached or heated garage you will lose pressure when you leave its warmth and venture into the real world outside during winter. Add 1 psi cold pressure tire pressure to compensate for each 10ÌŠ Fahrenheit temperature difference between the temperature in the garage and outside.
The rule of thumb is for every 10ÌŠ Fahrenheit change in air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher temperatures and down with lower).
In most parts of North America, the difference between average summer and winter temperatures is about -50ÌŠ Fahrenheit...which results in a potential loss of about 5 psi as winter's temperatures set in. And a 5 psi loss is enough to sacrifice handling, traction, and durability! Adjust upwards to compensate in winter.
It's important to remember that your vehicle's recommended tire pressure is its cold tire inflation pressure. It should be checked in the morning before you drive
If you live in the North and park in an attached or heated garage you will lose pressure when you leave its warmth and venture into the real world outside during winter. Add 1 psi cold pressure tire pressure to compensate for each 10ÌŠ Fahrenheit temperature difference between the temperature in the garage and outside.
Be sure to replace your tires when the tread wears down to 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch. The tire’s built-in tread wear indicators, or “wear bars,†can tell you it’s time to replace your tires. When the tire tread becomes level with the “wear bars,†your tires only have 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch of tread left and therefore should be replaced.
You can also use a Lincoln penny to determine when it’s time to replace your tires. Turn the penny so that Lincoln’s head is pointing down and insert it into the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,319
From: pennsylvania
RE: On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
stealth............GOOD STUFF...........thanks for your imput..... really, i run with 40 lbs when loaded with 2 weeks of cloths and business stuff.....
i have noticed and am paticular with tire presure..... the lower, the heavier the tire seems...... the higher, the harder the tire seems.????, sort of makes sence... ...........its nice to have that happy medium.
oh by the way....my RIM RESET thread really should be with the E-GHOST thread...... slowroll and i got off on some major bull p_ _p and continued it there......sorry....if you would like to change it .no biggy with me
tx
rickyd woops.....kam reset.......my bad,sorry
i have noticed and am paticular with tire presure..... the lower, the heavier the tire seems...... the higher, the harder the tire seems.????, sort of makes sence... ...........its nice to have that happy medium.
oh by the way....my RIM RESET thread really should be with the E-GHOST thread...... slowroll and i got off on some major bull p_ _p and continued it there......sorry....if you would like to change it .no biggy with me
tx
rickyd woops.....kam reset.......my bad,sorry
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
Rick,
When we hit the Baja roads, between the passengers, equip, 20+ gal water, tools, spares, extra fuel cans, my 22 year old 4x4 is often riding at 8,000+ lbs. we dont carry much food beyond "emergency" , plenty fresh seafood there.
Tire condition and maint plus cooling system condition are always top priority.
I can never afford to do "wheeling", not with that kind of load and so far (300 miles) from home.
I just enjoy seeing others do it in their trailered in 4x4's and more guts that me.
=============
hey Katz,
I just noticed we hijacked your thread on the Seville .. sorry ...
maybe i should move the non-Seville stuff elsewhere?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,319
From: pennsylvania
RE: On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
gosh....you live the live stealth!..... nothing like that here in pa. just montains, and trees.....not real good for baja'n... good fishin though, steam fishin...beautiful trout hmmm hmmmm. and lake perch, can't beat that! (dont believe all you read about lake erie) i live on it.....i know, i know..its a lake, not an ocean.....
rick
woops sorry katz....
rick
woops sorry katz....
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
RE: On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
ORIGINAL: rickyd
gosh....you live the live stealth!..... nothing like that here in pa. just montains, and trees.....not real good for baja'n... good fishin though, steam fishin...beautiful trout hmmm hmmmm. and lake perch, can't beat that! (dont believe all you read about lake erie) i live on it.....i know, i know..its a lake, not an ocean.....
rick
woops sorry katz....
gosh....you live the live stealth!..... nothing like that here in pa. just montains, and trees.....not real good for baja'n... good fishin though, steam fishin...beautiful trout hmmm hmmmm. and lake perch, can't beat that! (dont believe all you read about lake erie) i live on it.....i know, i know..its a lake, not an ocean.....
rick
woops sorry katz....
Rick,
look up fishing in Baja. we go camp by the beach, the local kids bring the shrimp (still live), shell fish (live), octopus (live), various fish, in buckets for $3. Skin diving for shells and whale watching can be fun. Sitting in the chair, in the water, under an umbrella can relax the most stressed person, guaranteed. NO phones there. CB is it.
all need is the portable grill and we're cooking.
BTW, my 1st born saw his 1st day of light in Albany, NY, amidst a blizzard - that was after a transfer from Syracuse.
Yes, I know ice fishing, finger lakes, water skiing, cross-country skiing in the golf course, trips to Montreal .. with all those joys, still i was drawn back to my homeland.
GE Schenectady Works were slowly failing. I was an GE MMP Engineer for special programs, Navy / USAF / Artic Circle Defense, and that my friends is a life experience you cannot buy. Got to learn everything, learn to make do with whatever, the phrase "Can't" got people fired. I was with the crowd that lived by: We can and We did.
.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,319
From: pennsylvania
RE: On the TAR MAT or PAVEMENT:
ahhhh, your beach camping makes me want to move. .......... its a little different here my friend. .as you probably know from being in this area, as you have...... though the lake trout are running now. lot of mupeers here inLake City, Pa. where i live.... "mupeers" (people from Pittsburgh, Pa) "'m up here."(from Pitts).... ......the places you mention.... my partner is from rochester, ny. i know the area well.... see cuse games 3/4 times per season, BIG fun
GE...big locomotive plant here in Erie, Pa. ....going big time!!!..... have a room of locomotives, and train memorabile. .
collector, so to speak. Can't never did anything, (a saying of my fathers) Can't, got my _ss kicked... :-)
if you or any of your family, ever back in this area......my door is always open....welcome!
rick
GE...big locomotive plant here in Erie, Pa. ....going big time!!!..... have a room of locomotives, and train memorabile. .
collector, so to speak. Can't never did anything, (a saying of my fathers) Can't, got my _ss kicked... :-)
if you or any of your family, ever back in this area......my door is always open....welcome!
rick
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