quick mileage question
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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quick mileage question
i was hauling a van ('98 1 ton 7.3 pwrstrk) full of people and a small trailer full of tools and luggage around the mountains of colorado. on the way to colorado from iowa, the mileage was only 13-14 mpg or so. once we got into the higher elevation, the mileage went way up to about 18 with the trailer and everything. without the trailer and just people, i was getting 20 mpg on flat land at 7500 feet elevation (San Luis Valley). i'm confused as to why the thinner air at the higher elevation got me better mileage? (without the trailer the mileage in iowa is only ever 15 max.
any thoughts would be awesome
thanks
any thoughts would be awesome
thanks
Last edited by lilpig88; Mar 23, 2004 at 12:08 AM.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: northwest Connecticut
It might have something to do with where you bought your fuel. I have found that if I get my fuel from a dealer near the freeway, who sells a few thousand gallons a day, I get much better mileage than if I filled up at a local station. I really don't think the higher elevation has anything to do with it. I would think you would gett beter mpg in a lower alt. with more dence air. But who knows
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ripon WI
On your better milage at higher alts, I also am a private pilot and the higher in altitude you go the more you have to lean the fuel because of less air [better milage] that is why jets fly at 45000 feet.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Abilene TX
I might be going out on a limb here, but in addition to the leaner fuel delivery by the PCM due to the thinner air, it is also possible that the less dense air creates less drag on the vehicle as well equalling better fuel mileage?? I don't know?? any physics majors around 
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Senior User
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yes, the physics of that would be correct, but the overall drag difference wouldn't be a terrible lot. (i'm not a physics major, only engineering beginner)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Denton,TX
I'm not sure how the "thinner air" argument stacks up for mileage. It makes sense, but how would you explain my best mileage driving on I-95 in the South near sea level? I got about 20 MPG, 2-3 MPG better than my typical mileage.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Idaho
The theory of less dense air means leaning the fuel out which in turn creates better mileage makes sense, sort of. My question is this, if that was the case then wouldn't a person have a loss in power? A lot of folks are going to the aftermarket intakes to get more air in the motor, not less and claim mileage improvements. I thought aircraft fly at the higher altitudes because of the less dense air means less drag; less drag means less power needed to get to your destination. Now if the aircraft wants to haul a$$, they hit the deck and light the burners.......
I have no data to back this up, just a personal opinion. I think Cookie is the local jet engine mechanic, maybe he will chime in.
I have no data to back this up, just a personal opinion. I think Cookie is the local jet engine mechanic, maybe he will chime in.