To All:
Several people have written to ask what they can do to go a little farther on a gallon of gasoline. Often times they cite some really dismal figures, such as 14mpg for a bug or 12 for a bus.
Basic rule for stretching your mileage is to drive slower. Alas, that isn't always possible here in southern California, where you're liable to get a ticket if you drive too slowly on the freeway -- and where using surface streets is not an option.
How slow? Near your torque-peak. In my '65 bus that's about 37mph in
4th gear.Driving economically calls for a bit of thought and a heavy dose of common sense, which is surprisingly rare among owners of air-cooled Volkswagens. For example, it should be obvious that you'll get better mileage if your engine is kept in perfect tune.
Lightening the load is another sure bet for better mileage. I managed to pull more than 300 pounds of spares, tools and camping equipment out of my bus.
Skinny tires give better mileage than fat ones, especially if they're pumped up as hard as rocks. The bus gets a bit skittish when the tire pressure is 50psi but it isn't a problem if I keep the speed down. Make sure your alignment is dead-on, even to opening up your toe-in a tad; right now I'm running with about sixty-thou toe-in vs the usual .120". And make sure your brakes aren't dragging, not even the tiniest bit.
Your driving habits are perhaps the most significant factor in reducing your fuel-burn. Get it into 4th as soon as it will pull it and keep a very light foot on the accelerator. On level ground keep your speed as steady as possible. Any jiggle or bounce with be seen by the accelerator pump as a demand for more fuel.
Is it worth it? I'll let you decide: I got 308 miles out of my last fill-up -- 10 gallons (I usually get 230 ~ 240). The Ghia does a LOT better but you can't haul a sheet of plywood :-) (Personal errands? Use a bicycle. Good exercise :-)
-Bob Hoover