I made an interesting observation and would like to
hear views/opinions from list members.

Having moved from a very fuel efficient Golf to the
Vangaon I was horrified to see that my first full tank
of gas net me approx. 160 miles.  I drove like this
for a few weeks until I got some time to give the van
a service.  Changed the oil, rotor, rotor cap, plugs,
air filter and the van was much happier.  Quicker pick
up and running much smoother.  Fuel consumption got
better but not by much so I assumed I just had to live
with it.  Until......

Then last weekend I went camping.  I filled the tank
and with three people and camping equipment we set
off.  It was not a long drive but all one lane
highways up and downs hills.  After about 65 miles we
arrived at the campsite.  I drove the van twice more
over over the next two days, short runs and returned
home on the Sunday evening.  I was not paying to much
attention to the fuel gauge, just looking to make sure
I had enough to get us back.  When we got home and
everyone departed for their respected abodes I went
out to grab some food.  It was then that I noticed
that I had just over half a tank left and had racked
up 156 miles.

This didn't compute.  How could driving to work 64
miles a day (round trip) on a three lane Interstate,
not going more than 65 mph, cost me a full tank of gas
every three days and driving the same distance with
more people and weight in the van cost me half that?
After a lot of thinking and some testing this week I
found out why.  When I drive to work on the highway I
use cruise control.  I set it at 65 mph and cruise to
work.  I have not used cruise control all week (I used
my bike three days this week) and I have now racked up
260 miles on that same tank of gas from last weekend
and I should get to 300.

After coming to this conclusion I remembered that a
few weeks back I gave my girlfriend my van to go to
work in while her Cabriolet was in the garage.  There
was less than a quarter of a tank left so I asked her
to put some in it.  Well, she didn't.  I got home from
work I asked her how did she like driving it, etc, etc
and how much gas did she put in it.  She said she was
running late and didn't have time to put any in.  I
was baffled how she drove the 50 mile round trip
without running dry.
I guess the answer is, if you want better fuel
consumption don't use cruise control.

Has anyone else found this to be true or is it a well
known fact that I have never heard of (being that this
is the first car I have owned that has CC)

Gary
91 Vanagon
74 Bus
93 Cabriolet

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