I was recently delighted at an apparent improvement in my fuel economy. I
had set my timing to what is apparently the correct degree of advance. It
improved my idle and also has improved my fuel efficiency, I think. I was
also rolling with correctly pressurized tires and a virtually empty Carat
body.
On a recent 150 mile journey through varied terrain and traffic conditions,
I averaged almost 19 mpg at 65-70 mph. I am still a bit skeptical of this as
I think the fuel gauge is very inaccurate. But for now, I'll be happy with
the illusion of this sort of economy. I didn't take note of gallons in/miles
traveled so this measure is based purely on 1/2 tank = about 8 gals.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mike Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Subject: Happy Camper: MPG
To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com

Final report. I finally had a chance to take a longer trip more
representative of the sort of driving we do when camping, a 300-mile round
trip from our home in Carlsbad, CA to Joshua Tree, CA.

Mellow Yellow (84 1.9l AT Westy) USED to get 15.5 mpg on the highway. NOW
gets 17.6 mpg, at around 70 mph. This improvement was due to wheel
alignment.

For all the other things that I investigated, see
http://camping.elliott.googlepages.com/poormileage

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

--
mordo
1990 Carat