And a cell phone, a latte, a CD changer and a laptop!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Sayer" <marcsayer@COMCAST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: FW: 90 Carat Auto TDI Conversion: MPG ect.

> Robert Keezer wrote:
>
> >Bringing back 55 or 60 is going to save a lot of
> >fuel.
> >Especially for the non-aerodynamic vehicles with
> >large displacement engines ,  and there are a lot
> >of those.
> >
> >
>
> This lesson was hammered home for me a few years ago. We were visiting
> in-laws in the Idaho panhandle area for Thanksgiving. When we headed
> home a snowstorm was kicking up its heels. We were driving our 93 E150
> high top van conversion with the 351, the 4 spd OD automatic, and the
> electronic lockup torque converter. We normally run about 65-70 mph and
> get about 12 mpg on that return trip. In the snow storm we could only
> safely do about 35 mph. I did the mileage calculations when we got home,
> we had gotten over 18 mpg! That van has never ever seen higher than mid
> to low 13s except that one time, but then I never drive it slowly
> either. Despite its more aerodynamic body style, the high top makes it a
> huge wind brake on wheels, just like the VW. Intellectually you know the
> concept, but it is pretty stunning when you actually see the direct
> results of slowing down. Of course 35 mph is not going to be an
> acceptable highway speed, not even in a high top diesel westy :-)    but
> the experience put a very real number to the concept for us.
>
> As for the speed kills thing, this I have a harder time with. Bad
> driving kills, speed magnifies that. I feel much safer going 140 on the
> track than I do going 40 in town. Your average driver has no clue how to
> control a car at speed, but we give em 2 ton vehicle and a license, and
> let em out on the freeways. That combination kills for sure. Our current
> system is basically a form of natural selection. I am always surprised
> by how few people are killed out there.
>
> --
> Marc Sayer
> Journalist, Photographer, Dog Trainer (APDT member #062956)
> Board member - Western States Great Dane Rescue Association
> Director of Operations & Training - Deaf Dane Rescue Inc.
> Springfield, OR USA
>
> My Homepage - http://gracieland.org
>
> Deaf Dane Rescue Homepage - http://gracieland.org/DaneRescue/
>
>
>
>
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