I have a confession.....I was spoiled......

[user removed]

I used a laser thermometer to adjust the brakes on my 37 Ford. Cable operated mechanical brakes at all 4 wheels. Read the temp of the drums and tighten-loosen to get them as close to the same as possible.

Once grabbed a rotor on a Z car with a stuck caliper. I had deep callouses on my hands and before I realised how hot the rotor was it had branded.
"MIN DIA 10.5 MM"
on my callouse (SP?) at the base of my fingers right where the hand begins. You can touch the rotors quickly to see if there is a significant temp difference.

regards
Mech

[cfg83]

mcrews -

There may be a weather component involved as well. What's the difference between Sacramento and North of San Antonio? What's the elevation difference?

CarloSW2

[mcrews]

It's a little hotter overall in San Antonio.
Sacramento is at about 100 ft and This area of texas is at a high of 1950ft (were I live) and 500 feet along I-35.
Humidity is higher here.
Sacramento is pretty low humifity.

[PaleMelanesian]

I'm sure you're well aware of the costs/benefits, but are you running more AC here due to both heat and humidity?

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I'm sure you're well aware of the costs/benefits, but are you running more AC here due to both heat and humidity?

Excallent point.

as most of you are aware, I leave the climate contrl on all the time. If I was comparing tank to tank I would agree. But all my test runs in sacto were midday w/ car warmed up (and interior cooled down )

The only time I ran w/o the a/c in CA was on the texas trip 1 yr ago where I ran the excel spread sheet and noted the a/c on or off.

THe a/c is pretty effecient in THE BEAST so while I think you make an excellent observation, I don't think that is the cause.

BUT.....I will try some no-a/c runs (for VERY breif preiods)

[turbovr41991]

Maybe the quality of gas is affecting you. I know Kentucky gets "summer blends" which are supposed to be better for the environment during the warmer months, but worse on fuel economy. So living right on the border I try to do all my filling up in Ohio. (not to mention I try to use the same: gas station, time of day, pump, facing the same direction, etc to avoid unnecessary deviation from the true volume of fuel used.