jox

Those of you with on-board computers, what's the ideal speed on the highway for consumption/range? Going across Europe in a few weeks and as much as I'd like to gun it through Germany, I figured I should do it the grown-up way instead and compromise ... Is there a significant difference between going 85 and 100 mph for instance?

MisterRisky

wind resistance goes up with the square of speed... soooo... 100 is 17.6% faster than 85 and produces 38% more wind resistance. So then you have rolling resistance and internal resistance which don't change much with speed. And then you have the issue of what engine RPM is most efficient in converting fuel and air into power... hmm.. pass me a slide rule...

screw it, I can't do the math. Just read this: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question477.htm

Rennen

For maximum consumption and minimal range (I'm assuming this is what you want), but for maximum smileage (I also assume this is what you want), I suggest a buck twenty plus (120+).

MisterRisky

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Well never mind my post then.

The sweet spot is 130 mph. And if I am wrong you can tell me after you have your wonderfully fun trip through Europe.

MisterRisky

This is a really good point. Are we maximizing smiles per hour, smiles per mile, or total trip euphoria? It really makes a big difference.

jox

Thanks! Acutally, I am trying to maximize the smiles per hour - I am going to need it to offset the suffering of not having air condition in southern Europe in the middle of summer ...