Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 20:32:04 GMT From: "Dexter J" <lamealameadingdongnospamlamelame.org> Subject: Re: 9-5 Aero speed vs. gas mileage
Salutations: I don't know much about the later 9-5 engine systems - but I can confirm surprising mileage efficiencies having been recently bagged speeding and subsequently staying at the posted limits with a '93 9000 5 speed Aero over this spring. Basically - I'm averaging about 37-40 miles to the imperial gallon at a steady 60-65mph on the highway and about 25-27mpg (30-35mph) around town. I have tallish winter sidewalls on stock rims currently filled at the upper end of the acceptable range. Now, I burn hi-test exclusively and I know that they change the octane rates as spring turns - so I'm expecting a slight drop in fuel economy as the summer picks up and I turn on the Air-Con every so often. In the end - while the combined expense of the ticket ($215) and the remarkably sizeable insurance hike to come will far outweigh any savings I see in the next three years while I wait for the ticket to come off the record - I am none the less seeing fuel savings that are surprising. As to weight and air resistance - the former plays a *much* larger role than the latter with SAAB's of any vintage and combined with a lower speed on your return trip - would account for the computed report at the dash. Basically you dropped the weight of the car at least 150 pounds by losing one person and the luggage. As to the TDI Passat, nice car - not nearly as much interior room as the 9000 - but not unlike the 9-5 in terms of general amenities I'm told. Cheers and happy motoring. -- Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Joe Cocker - Feeling Alright http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/055.RAM all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in no sign up required - all the Time On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 17:23:53 -0000, Gary Fritz <fritzxxxnospamrii.com> wrote: > I tried a test with my 9-5 Aero's trip computer last week. On a trip > to & from the airport (roughly 70 miles) I got onto the interstate, > zeroed out the computer, and tracked the mileage I got while driving at > highway speeds. > > On the way to the airport, I drove 80-85 mph. Highway mileage was just > about 29 mpg. That jives with the mileage I've seen on long road > trips. > > On the way back, I drove about 65-70. Highway mileage was over 39 mpg! > > I don't know how accurate the trip computer is, but I would assume > it's consistent from one run to another. I was astonished that an 18% > drop in speed would produce a 34% gain in mileage. I guess this is due > to air resistance increasing as the square of speed, or something like > that? > > FWIW, the altitude of the start & end points was nearly identical. > Temps were maybe 10degF warmer for the return run. I had about 200lbs > less passenger & cargo weight on the way back (3 people & luggage vs. 4 > people & luggage for the trip to the airport), but I wouldn't think > that would make a significant difference on a relatively flat run. I > would think the air & rolling resistance would make a much bigger > difference. > > So I could hugely increase my mileage on the road if I'm willing to go > slower. Unfortunately I don't know of any way to similarly increase my > city mileage, which is probably 80-90% of my driving. I can help it a > bit if I always drive like a feeble granny, but then what's the point > of owning an Aero!? > > I've been considering a VW Passat TDI in order to reduce my gas > consumption. I get about 22mpg in town driving, 28mpg on road trips. > The TDI is rated at 27mpg city, 38 mpg highway. With over 20k miles > per year, I'd save something like 200 gallons per year. With diesel > running maybe 10-15 cents cheaper than premium, I'd be saving $500 or > more per year on fuel. > > Of course, the Passat is no Aero. I'd be taking a serious hit in > performance. And it looks like a 2004 Passat TDI wagon with 20k miles > is worth about $4000 more than my 2002 Aero wagon with 60k miles. So > maybe it's not worth the change. > > Unless my mostly-town-driven Aero is a ticking timebomb with the engine > problems I keep hearing about... Has Saab USA said anything about a > guarantee program for that yet?? > > Gary -- Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Johnny Rivers - Memphis Tennessee http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/050.RAM all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in no sign up required - all the Time
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