Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 20:33:16 GMT From: "Nasty Bob" <nospamspeedypancakenospamail.com> Subject: Re: 9-5 Aero speed vs. gas mileage
Hey Gary - Reminds me of something that happened to me the other day... I woke up early and the sun was rising in a cloudless sky, so I decided to take the old 9000 for a quick spin. The roads were quiet, the sunrise was amazing and I had the CD player pumping - even had the roof open (with the heater on). Anyway, someways on up the road, I came across a 9-5 Aero (black) doing about 70... I took the chance to slow down, back off and change the soundtrack. After a while I put my foot down, and as I passed a fellow Saaber on this glorious morning, I looked over to give him a little nod of recognition...... but he didn't even see me... seemed he was too busy staring at his fuel gauge or something!...... "Gary Fritz" <fritzxxxnospamrii.com> wrote in message news:Xns962169C66D95Ffritzfriicomnospam168.3.50... > I tried a test with my 9-5 Aero's trip computer last week. On a trip > to & from the airport (roughly 70 miles) I got onto the interstate, > zeroed out the computer, and tracked the mileage I got while driving at > highway speeds. > > On the way to the airport, I drove 80-85 mph. Highway mileage was just > about 29 mpg. That jives with the mileage I've seen on long road > trips. > > On the way back, I drove about 65-70. Highway mileage was over 39 mpg! > > I don't know how accurate the trip computer is, but I would assume > it's consistent from one run to another. I was astonished that an 18% > drop in speed would produce a 34% gain in mileage. I guess this is due > to air resistance increasing as the square of speed, or something like > that? > > FWIW, the altitude of the start & end points was nearly identical. > Temps were maybe 10degF warmer for the return run. I had about 200lbs > less passenger & cargo weight on the way back (3 people & luggage vs. 4 > people & luggage for the trip to the airport), but I wouldn't think > that would make a significant difference on a relatively flat run. I > would think the air & rolling resistance would make a much bigger > difference. > > So I could hugely increase my mileage on the road if I'm willing to go > slower. Unfortunately I don't know of any way to similarly increase my > city mileage, which is probably 80-90% of my driving. I can help it a > bit if I always drive like a feeble granny, but then what's the point > of owning an Aero!? > > I've been considering a VW Passat TDI in order to reduce my gas > consumption. I get about 22mpg in town driving, 28mpg on road trips. > The TDI is rated at 27mpg city, 38 mpg highway. With over 20k miles > per year, I'd save something like 200 gallons per year. With diesel > running maybe 10-15 cents cheaper than premium, I'd be saving $500 or > more per year on fuel. > > Of course, the Passat is no Aero. I'd be taking a serious hit in > performance. And it looks like a 2004 Passat TDI wagon with 20k miles > is worth about $4000 more than my 2002 Aero wagon with 60k miles. So > maybe it's not worth the change. > > Unless my mostly-town-driven Aero is a ticking timebomb with the engine > problems I keep hearing about... Has Saab USA said anything about a > guarantee program for that yet?? > > Gary
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
