Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
I believe drag is proportional to density (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
This density calculator can give air density at any given elevation and temperature.
https://www.mide.com/air-pressure-at...ude-calculator
I used 1 ATM (sea level) and found that at 10,000ft density is 0.69 ATM.
I expect a 30% reduction in aerodynamic drag at 10,000 ft.
Regarding gasoline consumption in a modern vehicle; it's proportional to the amount of power needed. It takes the same amount of fuel to produce 50 horsepower regardless of elevation. The only thing the elevation does is require a wider throttle opening for any given horsepower compared with sea level, but the fuel consumed for that given horsepower is the same. The only time elevation becomes a limiting factor is at wide open throttle. You will generate more peak power at sea level than at elevation. |
maybe that could explain why when im driving thru central utah at 6k feet, i get 44-46 mpg with cruise control set to 89/90mph...