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Thread: why can't my e34 get more than 35 mpg?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Benneton (United Colors of)
    Posts
    3,067

    Default why can't my e34 get more than 35 mpg?

    is there a dynamic "limit" that anyone is aware of? i tried to achieve my ideal sweet spot driving home today, which is 3 gallons per 106 miles (or the distance from gainesville to orlando). with the a/c engaged 25%, cruise at 58 mph, no headlights, wipers lowest, I could only get to about 34.8 mpg before it plateaued. I stopped once for someone on the side of the road (45 seconds) and took 45 seconds at a toll booth, as well as one 55-95 sprint to get out of the way of a convoy (and to keep my sanity). I carry about 50 lbs of tools in the trunk, as helga hasn't been as reliable as i hoped she would be. is there a formula, like 10 hp for .1 off 1/4 mile time, for the coefficient of friction and fuel mileage? I might be being a little unreasonable expecting 36 from a 4.10 rear end, buuttt....i'd like to at least once make the trip on three gallons exactly.
    "..Torchinski v. Peterson that it is legal to carry a concealed weapon, so long the weapon is totally slick like a huge ass machine gun that you carry under a trench coat, like in the Matrix."


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    597

    Default

    You still fighting that tire?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Miami Lakes, FL USA
    Posts
    452

    Default Shitty tires.....replace them all.



    OK....if you're gonna start bitchin' about ONLY getting 34mpg, then maybe you need to change a diaper or something. Seriously Ryan, I'd say that most anyone here would KILL to get that kind of mileage. If you really want to increase it I'd say that you must keep the optimal conditions constant. No changes at all. And every little variable must be addressed too.

    constant speed....no "passing moments"
    elevation...Fl Turnpike, no problem
    wind resistance....not much you can do about it
    weight....strip down....not YOU ...PLEASE!!
    tire inflation
    yadda-yadda-yadda

    If you were to fill up at say Ft. Drum, drive to Okahumpka, fill up again and do the math while keeping all the variables, you MAY squeeze a few more out. But I think you are pretty well at the wall where you are now. Maybe all that WD40 on the rims is holding you back!!

    Brian C.
    There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept. -
    .............Ansel Adams


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Benneton (United Colors of)
    Posts
    3,067

    Default

    never mind, the obc's standard deviation per use is more off with 89 than 93, ie it lowballs it despite not having a knock sensor....the car likes 89 more and gets better mpg on it. calculating it out makes it 35.21212121, not quite the 35. 33333 to be a flat 3 gallons per trip, but too close for me to quantify. some of that crap in the trunk is coming out though, looks like it could make it. the tire struggle begins anew tomorrow morning at 7, as mumsies brakes need to be mic'd and caliper pinz regreased to eliminate that classic ford taurus shudder, and it needs to be done before 10, the optimal time for spontaneous combustion at this altitude. IE, i expect to become sufficiently demented from the heat to pull out the sawzall at about lunchtime.
    "..Torchinski v. Peterson that it is legal to carry a concealed weapon, so long the weapon is totally slick like a huge ass machine gun that you carry under a trench coat, like in the Matrix."


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Miami Lakes, FL USA
    Posts
    452

    Default You gettin' afternoon thunderboomers yet?

    Man....summer was right on time. Not much rain for the past month or so, then summer started Monday, and every afternoon now it's the 2-3pm rumbles!! Nasty lightning at night too.

    Brian C.
    There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept. -
    .............Ansel Adams


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    NYC/Boston
    Posts
    238

    Default

    Next time, don't pass the convoy of trucks... just drive closely behind them.

    Damn... my 535 gets 22-23 on the hilly highways b/w NYC and Boston.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    NYC/Boston
    Posts
    238

    Default

    You may also try investing into the "tornado air management system" better gas mileage and much more power... how can you go wrong!?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    597

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Brian C.
    Man....summer was right on time. Not much rain for the past month or so, then summer started Monday, and every afternoon now it's the 2-3pm rumbles!! Nasty lightning at night too.

    Brian C.
    Up here in NC we are getting a few...rain every single day. My lawn should be ready for harvest any day now. :P

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    UT
    Posts
    144

    Default A pint is a pound.

    Here's my idea.

    Empty that fuel tank to 4 gallons. That will still give you a 33% range buffer. And even though gasoline has a lower density that water, if you drop 20 gallons or so, at 8 pints per gallon, that's a net weight reduction of 160 lbs right there.

    Better than going on a diet yourself....

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    New Jersey
    Posts
    529

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ryan roopnarine
    is there a dynamic "limit" that anyone is aware of? i tried to achieve my ideal sweet spot driving home today, which is 3 gallons per 106 miles (or the distance from gainesville to orlando). with the a/c engaged 25%, cruise at 58 mph, no headlights, wipers lowest, I could only get to about 34.8 mpg before it plateaued. I stopped once for someone on the side of the road (45 seconds) and took 45 seconds at a toll booth, as well as one 55-95 sprint to get out of the way of a convoy (and to keep my sanity). I carry about 50 lbs of tools in the trunk, as helga hasn't been as reliable as i hoped she would be. is there a formula, like 10 hp for .1 off 1/4 mile time, for the coefficient of friction and fuel mileage? I might be being a little unreasonable expecting 36 from a 4.10 rear end, buuttt....i'd like to at least once make the trip on three gallons exactly.
    Are you serious??? 35 mpg isn't good enough? The best I've gotten is around 33mpg on a 20 mile stretch of flatland on the way to the shore here in NJ, cruise on 65mph, no stops, air on.


    Don't pass the trucks, draft them.

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