Today I tested wiper blade deletion. I didn't want to go slow enough to reduce the aerodynamic effect, but I didn't want to go fast enough to blow my tank's average either, so I compromised with 50 mph. First, 3 "A" sets of "normal":
mph - - N.B. - - - S.B. - - - Avg.
50 . . . 53.9 . . . 60.0 . . . 56.95
50 . . . 55.1 . . . 60.0 . . . 57.55
50 . . . 54.8 . . . 62.0 . . . 58.4 . . . overall avg; 57.63
wiper blades removed:
50 . . . 52.8 . . . 60.8 . . . 56.8
50 . . . 52.3 . . . 60.3 . . . 56.3
50 . . . 53.9 . . . 59.2 . . . 56.55 . . . overall avg; 56.55
I was amazed the mileage was actually worse, but the sun had set and it was getting colder, so let's see if the last "A" side might show something...
wiper blades back on:
50 . . . 54.9 . . . 57.2 . . . 56.05
hmmm... down even more. Let's do another one:
50 . . . 55.1 . . . 57.5 . . . 56.3 . . . overall avg; 56.175
So what did I learn? Was my test crap? Was the dropping temperature dropping all the results with time? So I went home & plotted it on a graph to see if I could "draw a line". Would the "B" set fall above, below, or on the line? When I try to draw a line, they seem to all line up - sort of. Blast - now I wish I'd done three final "A" tests instead of 2, but it took 2 hours as it was. Not to mention getting dark enough I'd have to turn my lights on and add draw on the alternator. But I think it's within the "noise" - There was quite a bit of variation.
So can I draw a conclusion from these 2 hours and almost 100 miles? If it was a "final exam" and I had to answer, I guess I'd have to say "inconclusive" . . . . or - removing the wiper blades doesn't seem to help. - At least at 50 mph.
There is some good news though; In 8 separate sets, I learned I can get 56 mpg or better at a steady 50 mph.
