What’s your number??

Carpmart

Carpmart

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
Jan 30, 2020
Posts
4,483
Likes collected
21,187
Location
Mid Bedfordshire
Funster No
68,408
MH
RS Endeavour
Exp
Just a tad..
For the drivers amongst the group...Anyone else recognise that optimal speed for your MH/Van/Car? You know, that perfect speed which is the specific engine sweet spot and the impression that one is fully optimising speed/fuel economy/mechanical sympathy.

Driving the MH last weekend I noted it’s cruising sweet spot as 54mph gps speed....

so what’s you’d number then?
 
88mph :coolest:

1583224879843.gif
 
I don’t know about sweet spot, but I sit at about 53 then all the trucks go by. :gum:

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68. Tyre noise is so minimal to not even notice, enough pick up in the taps to get past freight with no issue, sit at average 30 mpg, no wind noise....perfect! Especially on a nice empty stretch of autobahn. Feel like you're getting to where your going smoothly (even though it's not that quick!!)
 
60mph everywhere ?
 
A true (gps) 65. Quick enough to stay clear of the trucks.
 
I like to cruise along at 50mph, minimises wind noise.

The most comfortable foot position on the throttle pedal leaves me cruising at 60mph.

My van doesn't have cruise control. :(

I've religiously recorded, miles, fuel, driving style and wind direction for all journeys.

50 or 60mph makes little difference to the MPG but the difference between head and tail winds is huge. The van has a high roof over head cab.

Over four years most journeys return 25mpg. Worst was 18mpg, windy hilly roads, motorways and headwinds.

Best was 30mpg, mostly level motorway, little traffic and a tailwind.

Overall, 25mpg for all the time I've had the van.
 
55 to 60.
Slow enough for reasonable economy but quick enough to respond with more power without changing down a gear when climbing a moderate hill.
 
Had I not used the N10 in France last week I would have said 57-8
However, drove along the above road at the speed limit which is 80kph (=50mph) and the van returned 31mpg. (Brim to brim.)
I might have to slow down more often.
 
(Depends on what I am eating!!)

Relaxed enjoy the view driving 60 to 64 on the motorways.
around the 1800 rpm.

Elsewhere about 1mph below the speed limit!
 
Riverbankannie said:
Is all this worrying about speed and mpg a man thing?
I just drive to suit the conditions and / or speed limits.
Click to expand...

I don't worry about it but it interests me.

The interest grows from, I live on a fairly strict budget. Trips away in the van are often on a fixed budget, say I will take £300 with me and when it runs out, I come home.

The upshot being, the more frugal I am, the longer the trip can last. :)

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The Old Man said:
I like to cruise along at 50mph, minimises wind noise.

The most comfortable foot position on the throttle pedal leaves me cruising at 60mph.

My van doesn't have cruise control. :(

I've religiously recorded, miles, fuel, driving style and wind direction for all journeys.

50 or 60mph makes little difference to the MPG but the difference between head and tail winds is huge. The van has a high roof over head cab.

Over four years most journeys return 25mpg. Worst was 18mpg, windy hilly roads, motorways and headwinds.

Best was 30mpg, mostly level motorway, little traffic and a tailwind.

Overall, 25mpg for all the time I've had the van.
Click to expand...
My first van didn't have cruise control. I was quite surprised to learn that it could be added, and once I'd had it done REALLY appreciated the facility. Rarely find it useful in the car but very useful in the van, especially on open roads over the channel. Well worth the cost (£3-400 from memory) ?

Wyn
 
I think many of the responses to the OP have not answered the Q about the 'sweet spot'.

I know what he means mechanically, which may not be the same thing as most fuel efficient, driver desire etc.

We have a FIAT 2.8jtd (2003) which has been re-mapped. It also has a quite high-ratio 5th gear, thus the re-map.

It feels comfortable at 2100-2200 rpm. so giving satnav speed of 65-70mph. Anything less and she is labouring, with resultant strain on the drive train, and certainly below 2000rpm I will change down.

The absolute 'sweet spot' mechanically could be at higher rpm but then there is traffic, speed limits and wind friction on our slab-fronted 3m high 'A' Class which reduces performance. So I will accept 2100-2200rpm as being as good as I can get to a 'sweet spot'

Geoff
 
Depends on the road most of Europe we are limited to 80kph on single carriageways on dual carriageway & motorways normally cruise between 100-110 kph.
 
WynandJean said:
My first van didn't have cruise control. I was quite surprised to learn that it could be added, and once I'd had it done REALLY appreciated the facility. Rarely find it useful in the car but very useful in the van, especially on open roads over the channel. Well worth the cost (£3-400 from memory) ?

Wyn
Click to expand...

I did get a quote for a retro fit kit but decided as useful as it would be I could live without it.

£400 is almost two months in the van - LOL.
 
nicholsong said:
I think many of the responses to the OP have not answered the Q about the 'sweet spot'.

I know what he means mechanically, which may not be the same thing as most fuel efficient, driver desire etc.

We have a FIAT 2.8jtd (2003) which has been re-mapped. It also has a quite high-ratio 5th gear, thus the re-map.

It feels comfortable at 2100-2200 rpm. so giving satnav speed of 65-70mph. Anything less and she is labouring, with resultant strain on the drive train, and certainly below 2000rpm I will change down.

The absolute 'sweet spot' mechanically could be at higher rpm but then there is traffic, speed limits and wind friction on our slab-fronted 3m high 'A' Class which reduces performance. So I will accept 2100-2200rpm as being as good as I can get to a 'sweet spot'

Geoff
Click to expand...
I did 60mph everywhere ?

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58 where legal , and road traffic allows :)
 
I would say 60-62MPH when allowed, but I must admit to playing the game of keeping the averaged MPG to above 27.2,or above, which seems to be the sweet spot for MPG.

However the real "Sweet Spot"whilst driving long distance, has to be when my OH detects a sigh or a yawn from me, and passes me a nice Murray Mint from the glove box. The fun part is watching her trying to get the wrapper off it as they have been in there a year at least, and how much plastic is still left on it when she popes it in my gob.:giggle: no point in complaining, as just like my late mum would say TinaL response is , " they last longer darling":unsure:enjoy:love:
LES

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