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Old 06-27-2022, 08:08 PM   #93 (permalink)
Drifter
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: California
Posts: 166

Cx9 - '18 Mazda CX9 Grand Touring
90 day: 31.41 mpg (US)

Prius - '10 Toyota Prius III
90 day: 57.8 mpg (US)

Tundra - '00 Tundra V6 long bed base work truck
90 day: 19.4 mpg (US)
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A/C has a pretty high start-up cost as it tries to lower cabin temperature (about 2,000 watts on my 2010 after being parked in the sun on a very hot day). Over the course of a half an hour, it gradually decreases to 300-500watts where it stabilizes (much less energy to maintain temperature than lower it). So the A/C penalty on road trips will be a lot less than the A/C penalty for a trip across town. Or for a car that is garaged vs a car that lives outdoors.

Tire/wheel alignment is interesting too. My hypothesis: Older bushings flex more which allows the alignment to change as road forces are applied. When power is being applied, the wheels try to pull forward as the chassis lags behind, toeing in. When power is removed, the force of rolling resistance acts like a brake on the wheel/tire and it shifts rearward in the wheel well (toeing out).

If you're operating steadily on the highway, you can just set the alignment to minimize drag when the suspension is flexed for that much power. If you're pulsing and gliding, you'll be shifting back and forth so newer bushings will make more of a difference.
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