Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ
Lots of guys on some of the Minivan forums I'm on are claiming better FE at 62-65 than 55 as well, and it's understandable, because they're geared to hold in the most efficient RPM range at those speeds, since many of the highways have 65 and 70MPH speed limits. Many of those same people are using scan gauges, as well.
This isn't to say that they wouldn't be getting better mileage at 45 than 65, with the transmission locked, but FE curves don't specifically follow speed, either.
Of course, another part of it is that most of the people "trying" to get better mileage by going slower, may just be very squirrely at that speed, since they're used to driving faster, and perceive that they're doing something that could be potentially dangerous.
Of course, I have to add that re: slow people causing traffic jams, that's all well and good, but why did the slow people cause the traffic jam? Because they created a bottle neck when others tried to pass them? Yeah, that's what I thought... therefore, it's not the fault of the slow drivers entirely. Your study, thus, was flawed. From the data gathered, I have to wonder if there wasn't some agenda behind it, as well. Something irks me about it, not sure what.
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The FE kinda makes sense to me, first, the car has the hands down best cruise control I've ever driven, it actually feathers the throttle instead of shutting it off on long down hills. The speed stays dead on up or down hill as well.. Second, I think the hatch tail hits a aero rollover at the right speed.
Google a image of the 318Ti and you'll see what I mean.
It also has a dual path intake manifold, it has a set of low RPM long runners and a set of short High rpm runners, so in cruise it really pulls the torque.
I'm also only noticing a 2 to 4 MPG rating which I find easy to accept because it peaks fairly sharply which would imply a tuned spot in the engine management.(On purpose or accidentally who knows.
As far as the slow drivers causing accidents, if the speed limit is 65, and your not going at least 55, what happens when a car driving legally, comes around a corner and a car with no brake lights is moving slow? He may not hit it but he has to check up which causes a chain reaction of reflex checking down the lane.
The goal of the study was to identify the moments that cause the traffic jam, and they identified lots of reasons. But by far rigs more than 10 under the limit consistently generated a traffic bottleneck. My logic is, if you don't want to drive the limit, drive to the right. Whats the deal with people trying to "enforce" the speed limit on others to save fuel.? Its dangerous, as dangerous as road rage. And you might meet the guy out there driving 5 tons of steel clad utility truck who is quite willing to Nerf you into the guard rail, not that I know anyone like that or anything.......
The study was used to develop the traffic software that updates all the GPS systems and emergency vehicles with safer faster routes around ongoing or even future traffic events. (It can actually predict a traffic event by up to a minute.
Wow sorry I spewed on so long....
Dave