Truck Fuel economy (OT from other thread)

Allen Epps wrote in message . ..
In article , riverman
wrote:



Hmm, off the top of my head, I'd say that the vehicles with higher towing
capacity would almost certainly have lower fuel economy. Heavier frame,
larger engine, lower gearing. Why, are you thinking that maybe US vehicles
are designed more often to be set up for towing?

I did some more research on the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Terrano. I
already knew that they were the same vehicle, but strangely enough you
cannot get the 4-cylinder version in the US. You can get the V8 model on
this side of the pond ('overseas' to all you residents of the United States
of Canada), but its the 4-cylinder model that gets in excess of 30 mpg. Why
won't they sell the more efficient model in the US? Not everyone wants to
tow things around.

--riverman

I suspect for much the same reason that a manual transmission is not
available on the new Ford F-150. It's not worth the engineering effort
for the sales that it would bring. In the case of the 4 cyl that would
be more economical Toyota says go buy the _____ whatever their small
SUV or wagon is. The engineering is not simply making it fit but
passing emissions, crash testing, training mechanics to work on it,
establishing parts supply lines and such. Car companies work on some
damn narrow margins and if it's not profitable they won't do it. Well,
maybe British car companies would which explains why you don't see many
Rover dealers over here anymore.

As far as the diesels go there are some pretty strict limits on
importation due to emissions (yea pick your poison, SO emission or
particulates) but I think once low sulfur diesel is available in the US
(mid 2006) we might see a bunch more TDI like vehicles. It's not just
a matter of the fuel but the better fuel will allow for better
emissions equipment to be installed. Current emissions tests require
that they be done using the fuel available and with that current
diesels don't generally pass the NOS test.


Allen



Forget about what will tow a trailer. Worry about what will STOP a trailer.

Lou T

Allen Epps wrote in message . ..
In article , riverman
wrote:



Hmm, off the top of my head, I'd say that the vehicles with higher towing
capacity would almost certainly have lower fuel economy. Heavier frame,
larger engine, lower gearing. Why, are you thinking that maybe US vehicles
are designed more often to be set up for towing?

I did some more research on the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Terrano. I
already knew that they were the same vehicle, but strangely enough you
cannot get the 4-cylinder version in the US. You can get the V8 model on
this side of the pond ('overseas' to all you residents of the United States
of Canada), but its the 4-cylinder model that gets in excess of 30 mpg. Why
won't they sell the more efficient model in the US? Not everyone wants to
tow things around.

--riverman

I suspect for much the same reason that a manual transmission is not
available on the new Ford F-150. It's not worth the engineering effort
for the sales that it would bring. In the case of the 4 cyl that would
be more economical Toyota says go buy the _____ whatever their small
SUV or wagon is. The engineering is not simply making it fit but
passing emissions, crash testing, training mechanics to work on it,
establishing parts supply lines and such. Car companies work on some
damn narrow margins and if it's not profitable they won't do it. Well,
maybe British car companies would which explains why you don't see many
Rover dealers over here anymore.

As far as the diesels go there are some pretty strict limits on
importation due to emissions (yea pick your poison, SO emission or
particulates) but I think once low sulfur diesel is available in the US
(mid 2006) we might see a bunch more TDI like vehicles. It's not just
a matter of the fuel but the better fuel will allow for better
emissions equipment to be installed. Current emissions tests require
that they be done using the fuel available and with that current
diesels don't generally pass the NOS test.


Allen



Forget about what will tow a trailer. Worry about what will STOP a trailer.

Lou T

A vehicle that slow would get you run over as try to enter the freeway around
here.

Big Dale