this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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[–] henfredemars@infosec.pub 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Can you provide an example? In all data I can find, even for sports cars, they still have the best mpg at speeds significantly lower than 75mph.

[–] nezbyte@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago

Apologies for spreading potential misinformation, I too am having trouble finding a definitive source for what I thought was common knowledge.

I did some light research and was left with these notes:

  • Air resistance increases at higher speeds by the inverse square law, more aerodynamic cars help offset the wind load but physics always wins.
  • Peak engine efficiency is at the highest gear and approximately 1500 RPM, a more powerful engine may hit this at higher speeds.
  • The EPA now tests various speeds up to 80 MPH when calculating highway fuel economy, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see manufacturers optimizing across the range.
  • Cars that are optimized for the above points may get the best gas mileage at 60 MPH, but will have less MPG loss at slightly higher speeds.
  • 90 MPH will never be more efficient.
  • Personal anecdotal evidence has too many variables and I don’t have access to a variety of sports cars and straight level sections of highway with controllable wind settings to confirm.