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Old 10-21-2008, 12:38 AM   #39 (permalink)
Clev
Wannabe greenie
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 1,098

The Clunker (retired) - '90 Honda Accord EX sedan
Team Honda
90 day: 29.49 mpg (US)

Mountain Goat - '96 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 SuperCab
90 day: 18 mpg (US)

Zippy - '10 Kymco Agility 125
90 day: 65.03 mpg (US)
Thanks: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
Just a thought: for those who live in hot climates and use A/C regularly, why not look into adding more insulation to the passenger compartment? The roof, for instance, with just a cloth headliner & some sheet metal, has got to be a major heat source. Styrofoam insulation would weigh next to nothing...
I drove from Southern California to Phoenix and back this past weekend in a white exterior/light grey interior Buick Lacrosse. It is pretty heavily insulated and has some kind of coloring in the glass. In 96-99 degree weather, I was able to "P&G" the A/C compressor (keeping it on for 2 minutes, off for 8-10 minutes, with the switch set on recirculate and the fan blowing at med-high.) My dark blue Honda usually is 2 minutes on, 4 minutes off at that temperature. The trip back, with the sun at the driver's side window, was a bit worse--probably 2 minutes on, 6 minutes off. I averaged 33.6 mpg there and 32.6 mpg back with no P&G--not bad for a big 4-door with an auto and no P&G.
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