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#1
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Gravel vs. Paved
I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads
and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not much bumpier than the highways. |
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#2
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Bob Lutz wrote:
> I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads > and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one > way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not > much bumpier than the highways. On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by another vehicle. |
#3
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Bob Lutz wrote:
> I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads > and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one > way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not > much bumpier than the highways. On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by another vehicle. |
#4
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On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:22:57 GMT, Arif Khokar > wrote:
>Bob Lutz wrote: > >> I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads >> and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one >> way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not >> much bumpier than the highways. > >On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may >do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by >another vehicle. You have that problem, plus the car is going to be a real mess. The dust will be everywhere - clean out under the hood with the wand wash often. Also, if you have antilock brakes, you practically don't have any brakes on gravel. Stopping distances can double. These things don't work for squat on gravel. Dave Head |
#5
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On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:22:57 GMT, Arif Khokar > wrote:
>Bob Lutz wrote: > >> I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads >> and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one >> way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not >> much bumpier than the highways. > >On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may >do to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by >another vehicle. You have that problem, plus the car is going to be a real mess. The dust will be everywhere - clean out under the hood with the wand wash often. Also, if you have antilock brakes, you practically don't have any brakes on gravel. Stopping distances can double. These things don't work for squat on gravel. Dave Head |
#6
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"Bob Lutz" > wrote
>I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads > and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one > way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not > much bumpier than the highways. There will be more wear on suspension units (shocks, bushings, etc.) and tires. If you drive on gravel a lot, you should get tires designed to not pick up rocks that work into the tread and possibly puncture it. Also, the rolling resistance is higher, hence your mileage will be lower by a small amount. You should certainly follow the "heavy duty" maintenance cycle that calls for more frequent oil, oil and air filter changes. Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing, IMHO. Floyd |
#7
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"Bob Lutz" > wrote
>I have roughly a 20 mile commute to work. I can take mostly paved roads > and highways, or I can take a set of well-maintained gravel roads. Is one > way better or easier on the car than the other? The gravel roads are not > much bumpier than the highways. There will be more wear on suspension units (shocks, bushings, etc.) and tires. If you drive on gravel a lot, you should get tires designed to not pick up rocks that work into the tread and possibly puncture it. Also, the rolling resistance is higher, hence your mileage will be lower by a small amount. You should certainly follow the "heavy duty" maintenance cycle that calls for more frequent oil, oil and air filter changes. Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing, IMHO. Floyd |
#8
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On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
> Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing, > IMHO. Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity is rare [at least for an underpowered toyota van]. The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the commute home at 1am. |
#9
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On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 06:38:40 -0800, fbloogyudsr wrote:
> Gravel roads may be less stressful due to lower traffic; a good thing, > IMHO. Exactly why I'm asking this. The 'highway' option means about 20 miles of 2-lane US and state highway, with an at-grade intersection every mile or so. They are also heavily used by farm and slow vehicles, so its hard to get anywhere near the 65mph posted limit at times, and passing opportunity is rare [at least for an underpowered toyota van]. The back roads, OTOH, rarely have traffic at all, especially during the commute home at 1am. |
#10
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On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 09:22:57 +0000, Arif Khokar wrote:
> On gravel roads, I would be worried about the damage that the rocks may do > to the windshield, panels, or headlamps if they're thrown up by another > vehicle. Other vehicles are rare. This is a VERY rural area. |
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