Doug Kanter wrote
Rod Speed wrote
Doug Kanter wrote
Doug Miller wrote
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"?

Anyone with a clue.

I believe it's you that's been focused on what a small difference it would
make.

Because thats all the difference it would make.

But, what if you made 3 simple changes to a vehicle, and together they
added, say, 20% more gas mileage?

Fantasy, you cant point to any pair of vehicles that have achieved that.

You dont get anything like that between front wheel drive
cars and those with conventional drive trains, and you dont
get anything like that with the different shift points either.

Would that be worthwhile if the vehicles werent' turned to crap by doing so?

Yes, it would be nice to have a magic wand to wave.

Soorree, fresh out of those.

We have seen those 20% improvements but it
wasnt due to those approaches you are proposing.

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.

Wont give you 20% and its completely trivial to prove that.

If it was that easy, one of the SUV manufacturers would do
that with gas prices high enough to get some irritated by them.

If you don't understand this last point, just ask. It's real.

Nope, your 20% is pure fantasy.

It's an arbitrary number for the sake of discussion, you twit.

Its a number you plucked out of your arse, completely mystical.

But, if you'd like to consider it total nonsense, then pick a number and prove
your theory.

YOU made the claim. YOU get to do the proving. THATS how it works.

Someone else has already rubbed your nose in real numbers with
a particular pair of vehicles that proves your claim is pure fantasy.

I did already with your original claim that front wheel drive makes
much difference to fuel economy with everything else the same.

It doesnt, and nothing like that completely silly 20% you waved around.

Even just taking a SUV and eliminating the 4WD and the tires
that are inappropriate for urban use, and changing the shift
points wont do more than a couple of percent at best.

If you do care about fuel economy, you can do much better
than that by using a diesel engine in a conventional car like
has been done with the best of the european economy cars.
But you wont see SUV buyers buying those whatever you do
advertising wise, because they dont feel as safe in those.