Wind and gas mileage

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Had to make a trip yesterday, really didn't want to, but had to do the trip. Really, really didn't want to go.

Topped up the tires, checked the air filter, made sure everything was in good shape on the Saturn Vue (Sue).

Filled up the tank and hit the road. Fought the wind all the way up. Made a couple stops when I got there. Refilled the tank to the same level with the same brand of gas. Reset the trip odometer and hit the road, but with the wind behind me. Got back to town, refilled at the same gas station, to the same level.

On the way up-fighting the wind, 22MPG.
On the way back-wind pushing, 37MPG.
Total distance 344 miles, 27.96MPG.
I like my Sue.

[jericap Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close jericap]

Wow, that's really good!! Well, you didn't want to go, but you got some great information out of it and shared it with us. Thanks, have to look into that vehicle...

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Wow, I knew that driving against the wind would take more gas, but I did not know that it would be that much of a difference. Thanks for sharing this.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

This mpg range difference may be partially due to the 4 cyl engine. A larger engine may have buffered the two ranges, more power to fight the wind, and not as good gas mileage on the return trip.

I held the speed to 68MPH as much as possible. I didn't want to race anyone, I was going for high gas mileage, not for speed.

BTW-when on highway trips, my Vue regularly gets 27+mpg, and 23 in the city driving.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

Elevation change?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Elevation change?

Pretty minimal. Couple hundred feet over 170 miles.