What is the Optimal Alignment for MPG? - Fuelly Forums

Click here to see important news regarding the aCar App

Go Back   Fuelly Forums > Fuel Talk > General Fuel Topics
Today's Posts Search Click Here to Login
 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 04-21-2008, 12:02 PM   #1
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 211
What is the Optimal Alignment for MPG?

I have done my own alignmments for years, 2 boards, a tape measure, and take it for a drive. If it pulls to the left, slows really fast, or if the steering wheel is not centered, I'll work on the car till I get it right. Having worked at 2 dealers, when a car goes on the alignment rack, it's not going down the road, it does not have the driver in it, and it may have a full or empty tank of gas, all these things can change what the alignment is doing on the road.

I have a friend who competes in SCCA and he aligns all his cars every month. He said that even from the factory new cars go quickly out of alignment. The alignment when new is just to roll the car out the door, once springs settle, rubber bushings wear in, that new car can be totally out of alignment.

So this got me to thinking, what is the optimal alignment for MPG? Setting up a car to handle normally pushes the wheel camber out to the sides to get more tire leaning in during the turn. So would this mean on straight roads trying to get the highest mpg, should your tires be straight up and down or cambered out so less of the tire is in contact with the road?

Front wheel drive cars like a little toe out, because they are the drive wheels and want to pull themselves in. Where rear wheel drive cars like a little toe in, because the wheels are being pushed back when rolling down the road.

Now with most cars being able to align the front and the back, where is the alignment sweet spot of lowest rolling resistance?
GasSavers_Scott is offline   Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A URL parameter to expand notes please. m1sterc33 Fuelly Web Support and Community News 2 04-17-2012 07:47 AM
Water Carburator GasSavers_Scott Experiments, Modifications and DIY 27 01-20-2008 01:56 PM
Any Advice on Using a ScanGauge michaelburke Hypermiling 13 11-15-2007 02:38 PM
Emission testing zpiloto General Fuel Topics 5 12-07-2006 10:53 AM
Okie fas part 2 psyshack General Fuel Topics 17 12-05-2006 04:25 AM

» Fuelly iOS Apps
No Threads to Display.
» Fuelly Android Apps
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.