Mpg ?

[Bill F]

Originally Posted by CA-B200

It is crazy down here that is for sure. On holiday weekends the Highway Patrol steps up their presence especially on some of the roads to vacation destinations. Some cities are also known for their extensive law enforcement coverage.

LA??? Yuck!!!

Have a great trip!

Sadly the shortest way to San Diego is via LA We hope to go to the car museum in the old exhibition building, fantastic cars last visit. To bad that LA doesn't live up to the glamour of the movies , the rest of the state is scenic and full of friendly people. We plan to get all the carbon out of the engine prior to crossing into California so we won't add to the pollution Also hope to greatly improve the average speed display on the dash Like we used to say when I was a Scout Leader "there maybe flies on some of you guys but there ain't no flies on us". The expression was changed to remove guys from the song after Scouts went co-ed. Several rude comments that did not belong in Scouting where used after that.

Any tips on getting past LA and the traffic chaos would be appreciated. I do realize that you could be in trouble if the information was given out to a tourist, so maybe a coded message

Bill

Part of Hollywood North

[CA-B200]

Are you talking about the auto museum in San Diego or LA? Hate to say this but I haven’t been to either one so I have only a slight knowledge of them. LA has never lived up to the glamour of the movies but I know several people who absolutely love it. Now I’d like to tell you the truth about the pollution levels California but if I do more people might move here so I won’t say a thing regarding that.

I can give you some of our ways to avoid traffic but I need a little more specifics. My husband piles on the miles so he is really good with those secret roads. You are right though, I may have to give them to you in code. A GPS comes in handy too.

And just so I stay on topic here I have gotten at least 35 mpg on the highways around here and on my trips to northern California. I’ve noticed that my B has a range where the mileage drops dramatically and then picks up some when I go above it. Use the cruise control when possible!

PS - watch out for those CHP planes, they pluck off speeders one after another.

[Bill F]

We went to the Car Museum in San Diego a few years back and loved it. They even had a Tucker on display. Lots of one of a kind or very low production models, North American and European equally represented. Very little advertising about it and we almost stumbled upon it, but it was well worth the time.

The one thing we liked about LA were the Low Riders a real strange breed of car. The money invested in them has to a small fortune. Not something we see on the local streets in Canada.

Interesting about the B having a spot with poor mileage, probably something to do with the variable intakes. I'll try to keep above the speed and still watch out for the eyes in the sky. In case I'm caught do you know anyone who would post bail????

Bill

[CA-B200]

Originally Posted by Bill F

The one thing we liked about LA were the Low Riders a real strange breed of car. The money invested in them has to a small fortune. Not something we see on the local streets in Canada.

In case I'm caught do you know anyone who would post bail????

Bill

Hmm…hadn’t thought about that before but they are quite unique. Since I don’t go that direction very often I can’t remember when I saw one last.

Well I do know some of the local sheriff deputies but I don’t think the CHP cares much about that. One of our friends got a speeding ticket tearing up 395; apparently his badge didn’t do the trick, I think he is still ticked off about that.

PM me when you get closer to your trip

[Mike Tee]

Latest "after reset" screen on this tank showed a 6.6 result, the pump said 7.15 L/100 km and so it goes. 7.15 is 39.5 Imperial MPG (33 US), which is not half bad for mixed driving conditions.

Click on my fuel economy icon (signature) for all the gory details.

[BeeClass]

I wonder what mileage is possible if you start with only half a tank of non ethanol gas -for max energy and less weight, take out the spare tire, inflate the tires to max pressure, remove the rear seats, etc, and use best practices while driving.
After that, someone can try rear fender skirts and other aerodynamic mods ....

[BeeClass]

On a more practical note, I considered that a cold engine consumes much more fuel during the warm up phase and it also causes the most engine wear.
In winter conditions, my car uses about 13 litres during warm up - for the first 10 to 15 minutes. If you must do a lot of short trips then this is significant.
I am considering a DIY oil pan heater which will raise the oil from 0 degrees F to 80 degrees F in 1 hour - using only 250 watts.
See: Engine oil pan heaters, filter heaters & battery warmers. Designed for cars, diesel engines, more effective than block heaters, magnetic heaters. Suitable for Volkswagen vw beetle, Audi, Land Rover, Ford, Chrysler, GM, for more info.
FYI, here is the reply I got:
Thank you for visiting our web site and requesting pricing on a Model 16 oil pan heater.

Oil Pan Heaters
Our oil pan heaters are thin, flexible heating pads that are permanently bonded to the bottom or side of the oil pan. The heater has the special adhesive already on it, by simply peeling off the protective backing and pressing the heater firmly in place on a clean, flat surface, the heater is ready to be used. Note the heater must be installed on a smooth flat area, free of grooves and ridges. Only to be installed on metal oil pans.

No special tools or skills are required. Everything for a complete installation is included with each heater.

An Oil Pan Heater is far superior to a block heater and more efficient as a block heater only "warms" a part of the engine not all the engine.

An Oil Pan Heater "heats" the complete engine starting at the bottom.
The hot oil heats the crankshaft, which in turn heats the connecting rods, pistons and cylinder heads. Remember "heat" rises.

In 2 hours, our oil pan heaters can raise the engine oil temperature 100F / 40C.

By installing an Oil Pan Heater, your vehicle will start easier and there will be less engine wear.

Based on an oil capacity of 5 quarts, we recommend the model 16 with an output of 250 watts.
The model 16 measures 4” x 5” and requires a smooth flat surface on the side or bottom of the oil pan for installation.

Filter Heater Model
Our FH-50 is a flexible heating pad designed to be installed on fuel, lube oil and hydraulic filters. It is easy to install and remove as it is held in place with Velcro straps.
The heater operates on 12 volts, produces 50 watts and draws 4 amps. It is designed for filters with a diameter of 3.5" to 5.0".
The FH-100 heater operates on 12 volts, produces 100 watts and draws 8 amps. It is designed for filters with a diameter of 3.5" to 5.0".

Battery Warmer
They are of similar design as the oil pan heaters, without the adhesive. They are installed under the battery so they are very easy to install. Available in 110 volt or 240 volt, the BH-60 has an output of 60 watts, which will keep the battery warm and prevent overheating. The BH-60 measures 5.5" x 8.5" and is suitable for most vehicles and trucks. By installing a Battery Warmer, the efficiency of the battery will be increased to give you reliable starting ability on the coldest days. (not to be installed in insulated battery boxes).

Heater-Stat
To automatically control the Oil Pan Heater we offer the optional Heater-Stat, model HS-3. The HS-3 will turn ON the heater(s) when the ambient temperature falls below 35F/2C and will stay ON until the temperature warms up to 45F/7C. The HS-3 is rated for 1800 watts/ 120 volts, so one unit can handle an Oil Pan Heater and our Battery Warmer.

Pricing
Model 16 Oil Pan Heater $85.00 CAD
Model BH-60 Battery Warmer $42.00 CAD
Model FH-50 Filter Heater $85.00 CAD
Model FH-100 Filter Heater $90.00 CAD
Model HS-3 Heater-Stat $25.00 CAD

Special
Model 16 starter pack $134.00 (comprising heater, battery warmer & heater-stat)

Shipping starts at $7.50 but this cost is dependant upon quantity ordered &.delivery method

[Derek Lecours]

Hi BeeClass,
Very nice selection of products although some might not work well on the B or in a salty environment. These heaters should provide adequate heating and definitely help during starting and reduce fuel consumption with the preheated oil.(In the good old days we would actually start a small fire under the pan to help warm up the oil,.... and it worked!!!... on those super cold days and with the old clunkers we sometimes drove)

If there's a lot of salt around I think that they might not last that long. Salt might accumulate at the edge of the heater and pan and cause some corrosion issues.

Traditional battery heaters work well and wrap around the battery and provide heat that way. Anything sitting below might not last to long with the weight and fit.

The oil filter heater would be an interesting fit on the B, seeing as the filter separates at the top 1/3 mark and you're not heating very much compared to the oil pan.

On 110v outlet, the oil pan heater should have some merit but remember that the synthetic oil pours very well in the cold and block heat up is very quick..... but engine wear is huge during the first minute and that's where our synthetic oil saves the day.
Interesting products!!
The oil pan heater gets a Derek

[Mike Tee]

I have a 500W heater on my Peugeot 405, which I never used on the coast but I did in the interior, when I lived there. It would get below minus 20 occasionally, even hit -32 once or twice. Two hours of timer with that puppy on would make a huge difference in the car's ability to start with a minimal mechanical fuss. It would start without it, but man was the engine turning over slowly at -30 without the heater. It was salty as all heck there and the heater lasted 6 years.

I wonder if doing this to improve fuel economy might be a net loser in our west coast climate though...

[Bill F]

I had installed an inline recirculating heater in Audi in the 70s. At the time I could not find an engine block heater to fit and the dealer supplied a heater that fit in the lower rad hose. The rad hose produced lots of heat most of which kept the radiator toasty warm but not so much the engine. I installed an inline heater (1500 watts) in the heater line and the engine was always warm and so was the interior heater giving heat the moment the car started. The heater produced water at nearly boiling ( same principal as an electric coffee maker to pump the water ) and the heater hoses had a tendency to wear out after a few years. The inline units where available everywhere in Canada years ago at a low price and should be found easily in the prairies.


Back to mileage Made a small trip on the freeway (100 Km ) and drove 120 KPH ( no cruise control ) when possible. The computer showed 7.3 l /100 KM. Coming back drove 100 KPH (with cruise control ) when possible. The computer showed 8.1 L / 100 Km. Slightly more traffic on return and one major hold up. This seems to confirm CA - 200 's sweet spot she experiences with her car at certain speeds.


I tried something for my own curiosity. Drove at 100 KPH and range showed 530 KM remaining, increased speed to 120 KPH and after less than 2 KM the range showed 560 KM remaining . I used cruise control on a level and straight stretch of highway.

I think I will drive like an egg is under the gas pedal,, but I'll use a hard boiled Quail egg.

Bill