Doug Kanter wrote:

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
m...
In article , "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

I didn't suggest a smaller engine. I suggested a number of other things,
like programming ***SOME*** models of SUVs to shift like a car instead of
a
truck. Let me know if you don't understand this.

What I don't understand is why you think that changing the drive train
from
RWD/4WD to FWD - while keeping the *same* engine - is going to have some
mystical enormous effect on fuel mileage. It just doesn't work that way.

Who said "mystical"? I believe it's you that's been focused on what a small
difference it would make. But, what if you made 3 simple changes to a
vehicle, and together they added, say, 20% more gas mileage? Would that be
worthwhile if the vehicles werent' turned to crap by doing so? Sure - maybe
eliminating 4WD only adds 1 mpg. Now, add tires which make sense for how the
owner will ACTUALLY use the car. And, reprogram the transmission so it
shifts according to a pattern that matches how the car is ACTUALLY used. If
you don't understand this last point, just ask. It's real.

The amount of time spent in lower gear owing to shifting patterns is
pretty miniscule. What is far more significant is rear-end ratio. But,
if one turns a truck tranny/rear end into a car one, two things
happen--1. The vehicle no longer serves its design purpose, and 2. when
used as intended, it will suffer untimely failure.