Improved MPG with steeper gears.

Dan Grec

Expedition Leader
That's assuming the engine is mounted that way. My example still has the 90 degree change. Also There are RWD cars with transverse mounted engines that would get the same benefit.
Tom

Out of curiocity, what example still has the 90 deg change? A 4x4 only driving the front axle?

Also, I'm a bit confused, if a RWD vehicle has a transverse engine.. I'm assuming you mean rear-engined?
(In which case, yes, the Physics says you'll be better off like a FWD because the power doesn't have to "fork" 90 degrees in any diff.

-Dan
 

SoCal Tom

Explorer
Out of curiocity, what example still has the 90 deg change? A 4x4 only driving the front axle?

Also, I'm a bit confused, if a RWD vehicle has a transverse engine.. I'm assuming you mean rear-engined?
(In which case, yes, the Physics says you'll be better off like a FWD because the power doesn't have to "fork" 90 degrees in any diff.

-Dan

If I understand transverse properly it means crankshaft is parallel to the drive axle.
The olds toronado was mounted longditudally(?) like a standard RWD car, so the 90 degree turn was stll required. There have been mid engine RWD cars with longditudally mounted engine as well.so they would get the same benefit. So it's not a fwd/RWD thing it's a transaxle option that is easier with smaller engines.
To
 

Dan Grec

Expedition Leader
So it's not a fwd/RWD thing it's a transaxle option that is easier with smaller engines.

Yep, absolutely. I was oversimplifying when I said FWD vs RWD because almost all FWD are front engine, E-W engine, and almost all RWD are front engine, N-S engine.
Obviously there are some vehicles that don't fit that mold, and then it's basically "Is the drive coming out of the engine already spinning in the direction the wheels need to spin (i.e. FWD or rear-engine RWD) OR does the direction of drive need to be "turned" 90 deg by a diff (i.e. RWD front engine)

-Dan
 

HAFICON

Adventurer
SHEZ, just filled up again a whopping 8.7 MPG, I though that tank went fast. A lot of idling andouth 4 hours worth, and high RPM's getting in and out of snow. All in town no highway.
 
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calicamper

Expedition Leader
Drag be it mechanical or external is your big mileage killer. Drag effect increases with speed also. Gearing changes may increase your mileage marginally for a set speed but when it comes to expedition vehicles that have external drag factors that are basically equal to a brick wall or parachute its sorta a moot point. LOL

Take a clean sleek sedan and add a simple two bar roof rack and its a 1-2mpg hit at 70-75mph. Put two mountain bikes up there with knoby tires and its a 5mpg hit at 70mph. Drop the speed to the 55-60mph range and your looking at 1-2mpg hit with the Bikes on the lid.

Put a basket on the roof rack and basket alone is almost a 5mpg hit at 70mph.

Raise the car up and your looking at almost a 1mpg hit or more, example being BMW finding it could gain nearly 1mpg gain by lowering their stock 3series just shy of an inch.

Toss knarly knobby big off road tires on and its probably good for a 2-3mpg hit.

If mileage is a concern start by cleaning up the exterior dump the knarly roof rack that should net you 2-3mpg on a truck assuming most of your driving is at 50+mph though the climb up to the lake from Fresno at 7000+lbs your probably not breaking 45-50mph with a tail wind. That is one wicked climb.
 

Comanche Scott

Expedition Leader
...
Raise the car up and your looking at almost a 1mpg hit or more, example being BMW finding it could gain nearly 1mpg gain by lowering their stock 3series just shy of an inch.
Toss knarly knobby big off road tires on and its probably good for a 2-3mpg hit.

A 3 series Beemer with knarly knobby big off road tires sounds like a Top Gear episode... ;)
 

rubicon91

Explorer
SHEZ, just filled up again a whopping 8.7 MPG, I though that tank went fast. A lot of idling andouth 4 hours worth, and high RPM's getting in and out of snow. All in town no highway.

I am about to fill up my 2nd tank after that app. Curious to see what it shows. Computer has me at 15.2 mpg currently.
 

rubicon91

Explorer
So I finally did my 2nd gas fill up and let me say that 2 things stick drastically out by it. First off my computer lies to me. LOL Computer said 15.3 by app says 14.2. And secondly and way more important is gas prices have gone up 30 cents since 1/31 when I last filled up. I cannot believe that. 30 cents a gallon in 11 days is complete CRAP!!!!
 

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