Cd... thank you for the pic of the Jetta! Looking under the front end of mine is interesting... the skid plate is about 6" from the ground while the front valance is about 8" off the ground... might be some benefit to blocking the air before it hits the skid plate. Whereas the area between the wheel and the skid plate (where the suspension is) isn't even visible from the front (that is, it doesn't stick out in the air flow). Trying to get a picture to show what I mean, but having trouble uploading at the moment.
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Originally Posted by Weather Spotter
It looks to me like the central roué is better, also take ambient temps into account. The farther south the hotter it gets, more tempting to us ac and more grill opening needed.
From my experence without a side mirror, do it a week or two before the trip, you will be use to driveing without it by that point. On my car the side mirror removal was good for 1.6 mpg. Smoothe wheel covers were good for 1+ mpg. So I would put thoses up on the list of mods to do before the trip.
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While I can handle the heat pretty well, on this trip I'm bringing family... so I will do what I have to do in order to keep the family whole for the ~6 days of 10+ hrs of driving ... the slight hit to FE for running AC (*if* it is even needed) would be worth it. Actually, I'm more worried about snow & ice over the mountains on the central route ... would hate to get stuck on a section where chains are required ... that'll kill FE fast!
Good tips about removing the side mirror. And I may try a simple tape job on the wheel covers to see if it helps.
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Originally Posted by larrybuck
What is your comfort level concerning bumping tire psi's?
Do you have cruise?
Have you read Hot Weather: Dirt cheap cooling help? Many ways to stay away from that AC.
Is your accelerator pedal linkage light enough that you could consider driving in your socks? Your sensitivity will increase, and you will think wearing shoes to be barbarian;
picturing them as oversized awkward rain boots!
If you don't have cruise, or are in those circumstances where you wouldn't; a very small
pillow will give you much comfort under your right heel. Its my hot tip of the day for prolonged right foot resting.
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Tires are already at sidewall max (50psi). Definitely have noticed better rolling / coasting with these tires (they are LRR).
I do have cruise, and for long drives on 'level' freeway, I use it a lot. With the cruise set at ~60mph, I'll get between 60 and 65mpg showing on the Scangauge (and the Scangauge is pretty well dialed in).
In fact I do like driving in socks (or moccasins)... a LOT more comfortable than shoes! And a lot better pedal feel than shoes. Figured that one out when I was driving the Maus (my VX) which does not have cruise! That is a great tip, BTW!
cleanspeed1 - good tips; thanks!