Best Mileage Yet - 27.5 hwy

[Uproar]

I took my D40 on vacation to Gatlinburg this month and on the trip back managed a calculated 27.5 mpg! I filled up in Sevierville and again at home. Total distance was 348 miles. It took 12.64 gallons to refill the tank. I'd set the cruise at 65 mph and let the a/c off as it wasn't too hot out. Windows were down about an inch for airflow and the KC rear window was open. Of course I was passed by just about everyone in TN and KY as the speed limit there is 70. I've noticed the mpg really begins to fall off in the Frontier above 65. I don't get near this in town naturally, but it goes to show that our truck can get pretty good mileage on the road if you follow some standard mileage-boosting practices. The 2.94 rear-end in my LE probably didn't hurt either.

[igbar]

I had been doing a version of that for the past month and brought up my MPG from 14 to 20.

[AaronTX]

I read somewhere that above 55mph the drag from opening the windows causes worse gas mileage than running the AC. But then that test was probably done with the windows down all the way.

[Clint]

Since his back window was open the air flows through and stops the drag factor. Way to go with the mileage.

[Zero Six LE]

I doubt if I'll ever get that mileage from my LE. I can't help putting my foot in it just about every time I drive it. I'm driving up to Chicago next week. I will post my fuel economy later in the month after I return.

[JBMX]

awesome news thanks for sharing bud.

[WeeHooker]

I believe that is top reported mileage yet . Nice!

So now I'm thinking , if I set the cruise on 55, and leave the air on. I'll get there fasionably late but cool as a cucumber and with enough saved gas money to have a cold one!

[Mainerunr]

Originally Posted by Clint

Since his back window was open the air flows through and stops the drag factor. Way to go with the mileage.

I wouldnt say that it cuts the drag from having the windows open completely...although down an inch is probably pretty low to begin with, the drag comes primarily from the air hitting the pillar so opening the slider really doesnt affect it that much.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Mainerunr

I wouldnt say that it cuts the drag from having the windows open completely...although down an inch is probably pretty low to begin with, the drag comes primarily from the air hitting the pillar so opening the slider really doesnt affect it that much.

I thought the back window would act like a parachute (drag) closed but open would allow the air to pass through. I hear you on the pillar part though...

[Zero Six LE]

My highest since I got my truck is 23.5 mpg. If I could manage to drive slow (boring), I could probably get 25 mpg. The EPA rating is 16/20 so it's not really that bad in my book. I do use my AC when it's hot. I don't like wind noise when I'm driving down the highway with open windows.