tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800281.post8784821314021139879..comments2023-11-11T14:03:11.166-05:00Comments on Life Among The Mammals: GasLen Bullardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12001043126774600957noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800281.post-50308799455221384682008-10-03T15:04:00.000-04:002008-10-03T15:04:00.000-04:00Yeah. Unfortunately, at 40 mph you get hosed by t...Yeah. Unfortunately, at 40 mph you get hosed by the inefficiency of the Otto cycle gasoline engine at low RPMs. They work much better when running either all-out or off, which is what happens in hybrids.<BR/><BR/>The much-hated double nickel was chosen for sound engineering reasons: it's the local minimum you get when you add up the loss curve due to drag (direct) and the loss curve due to the John Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452247999156925669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800281.post-44518609627409220422008-09-15T15:59:00.000-04:002008-09-15T15:59:00.000-04:00True. I know that, dudes. On the other hand, I s...True. I know that, dudes. On the other hand, I said 4/40: four windows rolled down and forty miles per hour.<BR/><BR/>Reducing speed reduces consumption. It may not offset the drag, but it creates a new habit.Len Bullardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12001043126774600957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800281.post-13767615654733759352008-09-13T10:09:00.000-04:002008-09-13T10:09:00.000-04:00All for saving fuel. Full car strategy, e.g., very...All for saving fuel. Full car strategy, e.g., very good. But #5 is dicey. Wind resistance is killer of efficiency, and many modern cars designed to minimize drag with windows closed. The windvane-open, windows-open approach of our grandfathers probably counterproductive re saving gas. Fun, yes, but not gas-efficient.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800281.post-64201591241530858782008-09-12T23:55:00.000-04:002008-09-12T23:55:00.000-04:00It's not clear that opening your windows actually ...It's not clear that opening your windows actually helps save gas: the increased drag may, depending on the model, actually increase consumption over running the a/c.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to all.John Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452247999156925669noreply@blogger.com