Hi,

While looking for something else, I came across this interesting paper:

http://www.everytime.cummins.com/eve...Whitepaper.pdf

Long haul truckers have a similar interest in fuel efficiency and though there are some differences, many of their techniques apply to what we try to accomplish. For example, cresting a hill at the minimum possible speed and letting gravity handle the subsequent acceleration.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Yep, a lot in common. Low Rolling Resistance tires, tire inflation, streamlining (keep that hybrid clean), fuel and lubricaton choices, lubrication levels, systems management (A/C instead of air in our case), long range anticipation of stops, grades and speed changes, constant RPM operation in cruise, use of small grades.

Gosh, I now know how to talk to a trucker -- can't wait for the next "choke and puke" stop in the Interstate.

It is the ignorant among us that will eventually destroy us all.

Dont forget the go go juice.

Thanks for posting, that was an interesting read.

I was most surprised by the results of blacktop versus concrete. Obviously polished concrete is the way to go, but I would've thought fresh blacktop would be fairly smooth. Guess not

Wat gogo juice?

Autopartswarehouse

Haven't you noticed the trucks wheels sinking into that nice smooth black-top on a hot day! H

interesting read. I guess when you only get 6mpg, every little change helps.

-Fadi

1991 Mazda Miata to beat Corvettes at the track
1999 Dodge Ram to climb through rocks and brush
2004 Honda Civic Hybrid to make up for the other 2

I think that is a great article.
I think if you look at everything as a % most tips will apply.

I liked the part of for each 10'F lower temperature, wind resistance increases by 2%. Me at 0'F is 14% more wind resistance than someone in say, Jupiter Florida with 70'F. That's not counting the fact that the oil is colder, engine is colder, batteries are colder, winter fuel.... etc....
I also liked the fact the bald tires get better MPG than new ones!

I wonder what kind of mileage, the crooks in those police chase videos get. Doing 85+ miles per hour with four flat tires after running thru spikes, and the muffler scrapping against the pavement....

The U.S. has reached a point “where the priorities of Congress could become so distorted by politics” that it would turn its back on the next great global industry, clean power — Rhone Resch

I noticed lower MPG on blacktop too. I always thought that rather weird as it seems concrete has better traction for stopping and better mpg. I'm not a fan of blacktop at all. Its only advantage seems to be its better in the rain.