Fuel economy run

[bestmapman]

Jason (compu 85) told me to post this to see if there was any interest in a fuel economy run at TDIfest 2008. If we get enough interest, I sure we can do something. I will volunteer to help in setting it up. Basically, it will be a friendly competition to see who can get the best fuel economy out of their TDI.

[CoJoNEs]

myself and RichC will be setting up the road course, if you want to get together on it let us know. I am not familiar with how to setup a fuel economy run, but am willing to work on it.

[Hamsterdiesel]

In the past, the 'Fuel Economy Run' was actually the drive to the Fest. It was run on the honor system and people reported their numbers to Fred upon arriving at the hotel.

Wouldn't you need to run these cars ~100 miles or so just to see any negligible differences?

[BRUSSELS BELGIAN]

Regardless of whether we do it driving to the Fest, or have a special run, or BOTH, the organizers can save themselves some time now by just putting MY NAME on the trophy!

[compu_85]

This is a good point... the 30 min drive back from the rally won't really give us enough consumption to get accurate numbers. And seeing as the rally will force you to drive in a specific manor, I don't think that's fair to include in the MPG figures.

Hey, for the award, instead of who gets the max MPG, could we go for who gets the highest % over the original EPA figures for their model?

-Jason

[CoJoNEs]

since the EPA testing has changed on newer models, anyone with a new TDI will win for sure
Depending on the availibility and accuracy of the bioD at the fest the original thought was to fill up before the rally then immediately after and just compare the amount used (easier to compare $ then g actually

[251]

To do it right it should be done like at the 2002 TDI Fest in Grand Rapids - everyone fills up right before start of fuel mileage rally and leaves from a specific start/end point with departure/arrival times noted along with odometer readings. Follow specific directions for route to be taken - use landmarks and avoid use of colors since a few people may be color blind. At the finish each car fills up again (Fest 2002 used a biodiesel tanker onsite for this purpose) with total mileage noted and all data entered in a spreadsheet to crunch the numbers/find the winner. It goes without saying each entry should be filled up the same at both start and finish for consistency.

B4V's should not be allowed to fill up at start, go for a couple of hard turns then return for a topping off followed by a "standard" fillup at the finish. I specifically mention this as there was some controversy over how the winner achieved his numbers since there was a loophole that was taken advantage of. (To be fair about it there was no rule about using loopholes either to gain an advantage.)

IIRC it was about a 100 mile run incorporating state highways, interstates, some local roads so it was a good mix of driving conditions/speeds.

It's not a fair comparison to do this as a "drive to the Fest" competition IMO since those coming from the east will have some mountains to cross while someone from the midwest is more likely to have flat terrian to traverse (which gives them an advantage) for example.

If you need to know more about how the 2002 Fest MPG rally was run maybe check with GeWilli as he helped organize it. I recall we had about 30 cars participating - was an impressive sight at the start/finish line!

[bestmapman]

I am local in Cincinnati, so I can help with the set up. My feeling is to have about a 100 mile course. This will take about 2 hours if it includes city and highway driving. We could use a scanguage or other device to get the figures. That would eliminate the fill up problems. Or the other option is to weight the vehicles at a scale and that could give a very accurate reading.

[vikingrob]

Now the question is this: which route to take to the Fest. I have several options that come into play around Rockford: one option would be to take the Kennedy and Dan Ryan through Chicago, come out on the Bishop Ford, take 80-94 over to 65, and hook up to 74 at Indy; take the Kennedy, Dan Ryan, and the Skyway, and use 912 to hook up with 80-94; take 290 and 294 around the city; take 290, 355, and 80 around the city; or take 39 to Bloomington and 74 the rest of the way. Decisions, decisions....

[paramedick]

Rob, when I came home from the Wisconsin fest, I opted to go Rockford to Indy. Nice peaceful drive, only one toll booth, no insane traffic.

Looking at mapquest, I39 to I74. Longer, but worth it.

[Rickstah]

Has anyone ever hooked up a quart or gallon of diesel through the IP like we do when we use the injector cleaning procedure and driven a known distance until it dies? Admittedly this would mean you'd have to go through the restart process, but still...and I guess you'd have to make sure the cars were all about equal in weight, amount of fuel on board, etc...ok, probably too much work, I'll shut up. We did this back when I was in hs, but probably no one wants to run the ip dry

[Lug_Nut]

Originally Posted by compu_85

Hey, for the award, instead of who gets the max MPG, could we go for who gets the highest % over the original EPA figures for their model? -Jason

Oooh, I like that. The original EPA for my model is mid 20's.

Originally Posted by CoolWht

B4V's should not be allowed ....

Oooh, I don't like that, though.
The top mpg competitor in the 2002 event withdrew from eligibility to allow another to have the honor.

[251]

LugNut: You're misquoting me - I never said B4V's should not be allowed in a mileage rally - rather that they should not utilize a certain trick in filling up the tank at the event start. I apologize if I am not remembering the details correctly on the '02 Fest MPG rally as it was almost six years ago.

[Zippy_car]

We could always ask for physical evidence or "proof" of mpg's/percentage on the way to fest.

Get a recipt at the first fill up with a note of how many gallons put in and odometer reading at fillup (photo or written). Day, date, and time stamped (most reciepts already have most of this information). Then upon arrival, or next fill up - which ever comes first, make another odometer reading to document and then do the math. If you do more than one tank to get there (that's a lot of driving and you're probably going for the "farthest distance driven to the Fest" award also!) then take the best of the two milage readings. Winner get's the trophy. That's how I thought about doing it last year, but didn't get the opportunity. take from it what you will.

No documentation, no entry.

[compu_85]

Sounds good to me. Beyond the honor system we can't have much control over this. But if you cheat we WILL find out, and that would make you a very bad person (tm)!

-J