| From | Message |
Ky_man
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/16/2006
18:05:17
|
 Subject: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
Ok , before I depart on tuesday for san franciso from san diego, I
may have a few questions.
#1) what should be the best gas mialage speed to turn on my
cruise control at going up the 5? ('97 5.2 4x2)
#2) Should I expect better gas milege than I'm used to getting?
Going long distnce that is...
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/16/2006
23:59:52
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
Your truck doesn't care if you're going 5 miles or 500. It's going to get the same mileage it's always gotten if you drive it the same way. Don't expect miracles because the distance/duration is greater.
As for cruise control, sometimes it helps and sometimes it hurts; depends on the terrain. When it's mostly flat, the cruise will save you a smidgen of fuel. When there's a lot of small hills - up and down, up and down - cruise control will hurt you. It fights too hard to maintain speed going up, and doesn't anticipate the crest.
|
Jeff
GenIII
12/17/2006
02:25:27
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
my truck likes to cruise at 85 or so, but for gas mileage it likes 65 or 70.
:)
i think it would vary from truck to truck quite a bit depending on weight, load balance, etc etc etc....
you really need to just do it and see what its like for your particular truck i imagine.
I usually get better mileage on long trips, but only because i don't normally drive only on the freeway at a steady speed for the whole tank. makes a difference from routinely stop and go driving. but that depends on the freeway traffic too. in other words, on long trips just on the freeway with little traffic, i am closest to the Freeway MPG rating/estimate that was on the truck's window sticker when i bought it.
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
|
Kowalski
GenIII
12/17/2006
09:29:07
|  RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
Actually, your truck cares very much about the speed if you're shooting for best economy. The effort it takes to push through the air increase exponentially with the speed, so slower highway speeds should be more efficient. Just stay out of my way in the left lane, please.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
Super bee
GenI
12/17/2006
11:10:20
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
there is a difference between 5 miles and 500 miles
or at least there can be
usualy 5 mile trips are multiple stops and accelerations
500 miles trips like mentioned above are usualy get on the freeway, set the cruise and stay like that for a few hundred miles
you use less fuel becuase you are not straining the engine as much just cruising as you are accelerating
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) Powertrax "traction system", 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
|
.boB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/17/2006
14:18:36
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
" there is a difference between 5 miles and 500 miles
or at least there can be
usualy 5 mile trips are multiple stops and accelerations "
There's huge differances in type of driving and speed, no question about that. Anybody who pays attention can figure that out for themselves.
The point is, if you drive 5 miles down the freeway, or 500 miles down the freeway, the truck doesn't care. Whatever gas mileage you get while cruising down the highway at your normal speed will be the same for 500 miles as it will be for the first 5. Nothing magical happens during a long trip.
|
Ky_man
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2006
01:39:14
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
I mean, considering I have owned the truck for a few years and I
drive it on the freeway once in a while, but I am in A LOT of stop
and go. I was just wondering what would be the best fuel
ecomomy speed for the freeway with the cruise control on. So
about 65 i'm told. I know the truck doesn't care about distance,
sorry I didn't mention that I usually do a lot more stop and go, but I
just hope it won't end up as bad as it turns out in town and city
driving.
|
Dan M
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2006
06:37:03
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
I've found that my 02 QC 4x4 4.7L gets best fuel economy on the highways driving 65 ...alot of speed limits in GA are 70. I notice a big difference at the fuel pump driving 65 vs 70 for long trips.
- Dan M
|
Ky_man
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/20/2006
02:36:43
| RE: Long Trip 2
IP: Logged
Message:
I made it!!! The truck is a freakin' trooper! It was pretty much
non-stop all the way up. I am pretty pleased with the gas
milage at around 15-16 mpg. Especially for a 210,000 mile 5.2!
I still have the trip home. However, if it was like it was on the
way up, the truck will be amazing! I only almost got in an
accident once. Whatever you do, don't pay attention to the snow
on the mountain when a big rig is ahead of you and hes goin 55
and ur goin 70. It was like a stunt in a movie. I freaked for a
second, swurved and sqweeled to the side a little and then
gained control again on the right side of the big rig. It scared
the CRAP out of me. Anyhoo, driving stories are fun. But yeah,
only had to fill up once on the way up. So that's good I guess.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
