Not trying to justify anything, but driving 55MPH out west is like
cleaning the floor with a toothbrush.  The roads are straight as an arrow
and flatter than a pancake and go on forever!

In general though my opinion is the same - driving an automatic Vanagon
with non lock up converter more than 50-55 mph is like trying to empty the
Titanic with a mop bucket.  The more wind resistance the greater slippage
in the torque converter and everyone pretty much agrees these vehicles are
prone to the influence of wind.  If I have the discipline and nerve to
drive on the interstate at a steady 55MPH (keeping a weather eye in the
rear view) as opposed to trying to keep it at 70 I gain about 3MPG.  My
old bus and I often would stay behind trailer trucks to take advantage of
the sucking action, but as I got older I decided that wasn't the best way
to travel.  IT does work though, one trip I remember following a truck
from NovaScotia all the way from Brunswick to Houlton and got nearly 26MPG
- all at 70MPH in a 2L air cooled!

Best Regards
Howard Allen
S. Portland, Maine

Think about packaging as an enabling technology

Joseph Fortino <fortino1@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
10/11/2005 02:20 PM
Please respond to Joseph Fortino

        To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
        cc:
        Subject:        Re: FW: 90 Carat Auto TDI Conversion: MPG ect.

This is a great thread, it really thinks globaly I really agree with all
the idems.
speed limits do save lives.. roads are built around a speed.

why the heck is out near utah 70mph? lame..

Joe