The second-generation Ford Expedition may not be the most fuel-efficient SUV out on the road, but that made it the perfect candidate for a classic Mythbusters test. First aired on November 10th, 2004, this episode explored an age-old question: is it more fuel efficient to use the air conditioner or drive with the windows down to keep the cabin cool on long-haul trips?
To find out once and for all, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage each took the wheel of a 2004 Ford Expedition. The test would take them in circles, quite literally, as they turned lap after lap around a half-mile asphalt track in Tracy, California. To kick things off, the team emptied out each of the Expeditions’ fuel tanks before filling them with exactly five gallons to find out which one burned through its reserves faster.
Though the original plan was to make laps at 55 mph, concerns about tire wear forced the Mythbusters crew to decrease their planned speed to 45 mph. Hyneman drove with the AC on while Savage raced around with the windows down. Surprisingly, Hyneman’s Expedition slowed first as its tanks ran dry, suggesting that driving with the windows down is actually easier on the gas tank than driving with the AC on full blast.
Proving this point, Savage’s Ford Expedition finally runs out of fuel 30 laps after Hyneman’s SUV dried up. However, there’s a caveat to the experiment – since it was run at 45 mph, it can be assumed that, yes, it is more fuel efficient to drive with the windows down below 55 mph. However, the Mythbusters crew agreed that they might get different results at above 55 mph, but safety crews at the racetrack would not permit them to perform the test at that speed due to potential tire issues.
Speaking of classic TV episodes featuring Blue Oval vehicles, Top Gear pitted a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 against a train in a point-to-point race that was surprisingly close.
Another way to potentially help identify quality issues.
A very nice example of the discontinued hatch.
It's ditching the V6 entirely, at least, for retail customers.
Generally speaking, the charging experience is improving, too.
The exec says we'll be 'pleasantly surprised.'
Giving them the same, more capable setup.
View Comments
Why such an issue over tires at 55 MPH on a closed track? I have seen several large Fords running over 65 MPH on a Florida concrete highway. Factory tires are rated at 65 or greater speeds.