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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Len on 18 January 2012, 13:26
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Driving to Bristol and back along M4 a fair bit recently and I notice a difference in the mpg.
Going west to Bristol it is some 2 - 3mpg lower than heading home eastwards.
Now I'm not going to quote speeds but I will say that I do tend to drive a little faster on the way home, which I think is natural.
It dont make much time difference, its just in the mind to get home quicker.
So my point is this, can the wind make that much diference?
Note: the prevailing winds come from the west.
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Wind does make a difference, but I doubt it's 3mpg. I'd say it's more to do with the inclines of the road.
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Isn't the journey from the A34 too Bristol more uphill, than the return? Only done it a handful of times and hardly scientific, but just something I think I've noticed.
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A34?
Thats at Newbury, East of me in Swindon.
And its the same hills both home and away. Though actually Bristol is lower than Swindon as its near the coast, so that would mean there is more downhill going there than coming home.
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more weight = less mpg
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A34?
Thats at Newbury, East of me in Swindon.
And its the same hills both home and away. Though actually Bristol is lower than Swindon as its near the coast, so that would mean there is more downhill going there than coming home.
Centre of Bristol is 11m above sea level.
Centre of Swindon is 104m above sea level.
http://www.earthtools.org/
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Ah but I dont go to the centre of Brizzle!
Our office is in Aztec West which is pretty high up above the Bristol Channel.
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Did have another thought!
Maybe the engine map on the Passat is slightly more efficient at slightly higher revs? :undecided:
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Did have another thought!
Maybe the engine map on the Passat is slightly more efficient at slightly higher revs? :undecided:
You'll find that every engine has it's 'sweet spot'
I find mine is just as efficient travelling between 75-80mph as it is at 65mph as the car is closer to to its peak torque
Could be talking a load of twaddle mind but my MPG doesn't lie lol :laugh: :laugh:
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I think its a combination of both the wind and as you say Rhyso a "sweet" spot.
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2 of my mates are lorry drivers 1 has a scania, the other has 4 lorries, 2 volvos 1 scania and 1 merc, on a windy day against the wind the mpg for my mate with the scania drops from 8.5/9 to around the 6 mpg mark and my other mate the scania drops from 7.5/8 to 5.5 mpg the volvos drop from 7.5 to 5 mpg and the merc drops from 7.5 to 4 mpg, so the wind can have quite an affect.
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Drove into work this morning into a strong head wind and MPG was down from 52ish to 49mpg
Hopefully the wind will push me home :grin: :grin:
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2 of my mates are lorry drivers 1 has a scania, the other has 4 lorries, 2 volvos 1 scania and 1 merc, on a windy day against the wind the mpg for my mate with the scania drops from 8.5/9 to around the 6 mpg mark and my other mate the scania drops from 7.5/8 to 5.5 mpg the volvos drop from 7.5 to 5 mpg and the merc drops from 7.5 to 4 mpg, so the wind can have quite an affect.
Slightly uncomparable though isn't it.
A lorries Cd is astronomical compared to a car, plus they are pulling ~20times the weight fully laden.
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I dunno with me in it the Passat is quite heavy! :grin:
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It's just the M4, I do 500 miles a week on it and it robs me of £125 a week...... :undecided: