Going home for Xmas... 2,761 km's (each way)

Wow, that's a hell of a road trip. Make sure you've filled with some really good quality oil (maybe M1 0W30). It will be interesting to see what the MPG and fuel costs are like for the trip. Are fuel prices in Germany and Poland higher than the UK or about the same?

 

That's awesome. Lots of pictures please.

 

And they say you can't drive long distances in Europe.

 

Enjoy the ride!

 

Why?

Just get an EasyJet or RyanAir flight for £60/€90 return?


Saying that, it'll be a great trip and a good experience if you have the time. One route I'd like to do would be to get the ferry from Newcastle over to Norway or Sweden and drive over the Oresund Bridge (longest road bridge in Europe) to Denmark. It wouldn't be much further for you and would be quite fun. You could always come back via Eurotunnel - which is an experience too.

Øresund Bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurotunnel]Eurotunnel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

Ok so the fuel price will probably only be about 220 euro each way, plus I'm sure there will be a few tolls etc. Overall sounds cheaper than the alternative, as long as you enjoy the drive. The bonus of taking your own car of course is that you've got it to use once you get there.

I'd be looking to take that trip over at least four days each way, what time frame are you thinking?

 

Thats a trip a lot of Irish people will be making next summer.

We have done two long trips in our 06 since we got it in Feb, one from Meath to the Black Forest and the second to Marseille.

Have you cruise? Makes motorway driving a piece of p1ss. Sorry to rub it in if you haven't.

Long extend stints at 130k/ph do hammer the overall economy but probably no more or less than a regular car.

Good luck with your trip and I hope you get good weather. The Autobahn is frightening in the snow as I experience a few years ago in a hired VW Polo.

 

I think cruise control does not give a good an economy if there is hills or inclines.

Driving on the motorway at 130kph will increase the fuel consumption, the faster you go the more fuel it uses but probably worth it on such a long trip.

 

I agree with this. In undulating terrain you get better fuel economy by attempting to even out the engine power variations. This means allowing the speed to drop a bit on the inclines and rise a bit on the declines.

Re the speed versus fuel consumption, yes there's just no avoiding it. The aero drag forces increase with the square of speed and as Scotty would say, "you can-na change the laws of nature Jim".

Just as a very rough guide, it would typically go something like 55 plus MPG at 80 km/h, 50 MPG at 100 km/hr and 40 MPG or less at 120 km/hr. (Those are US MPG btw, and only a rough guide).

 

It sounds like a fun trip,
"Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go!"



The lower grill block could provide a +2% FE improvement. The FE
improvement has two origins:
* helps keep coolant temps up
* blocks excess air from getting in the engine compartment. It exits
either under the car or through the front wheel wells. In both cases, the
exiting air further muddles up the already less than perfect airflow
under the car, or just aft of the front wheel.

While you're at it. why not block the upper grill too. Most folks use
lengths of foam pipe insulation... very cheap, very effective too.

As to engine temps, I monitor mine with a ScanGuage. At the speeds
and temps you will be seeing, I would expect coolant temps in the
185-195 degF when underway... not a problem. Coolant temps will rise
5-10 degF right after you stop moving; fuel/comfort breaks/whatever...
still not a problem.

Have fun, and think safety first; no boozin', no snoozin'. :rockon:



:nono:

 

My earlier post was/is meant to encourage you to go with the grill block.
I mentioned the SG with ref to coolant temps, to add assurance that my
saying there should be no problems has some basis in factual
experience.

Most of us that grill block use the plastic foam pipe insulation, and
we're trying to stop virtually all air from entering the engine bbay via
the grill. A particularly clean installation:



I don't foresee any problems from snow packing in around the edges of
your flattish block. There will be lots of cold air swirling around in the
engine bay -- and the oil sump for that matter -- from the open
bottom. If you are concerned about high temps, leave a 3 in. by 4 in.
opening on the drivers side where the DC-to-DC converter coolant
circulates through the lower radiator; a little bigger than the one
visible in the picture.

Again, best wishes for success on your adventure.

(You know, of course, that we're expecting a full report with pictures
when you get back. )