Proof that wind is the big factor in MPG.
I just towed the Hitchhiker II fifth wheel from Arkansas down to the Lake Charles, Louisiana area, over very flat roads. On April 3, driving into a strong headwind, the Ford F350 diesel got 7 miles pe...
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To look at the OP's results in a different way, the subject of this thread could have been "Proof that speed is the big factor in MPG".
Stating the obvious, driving with a steady direct headwind results in the same aerodynamic drag as driving faster in a calm wind. Driving with a steady direct tailwind results in the same aerodynamic drag as driving slower in a calm wind. A 15mph headwind when driving at 60mph affects MPG similarly to driving at 75mph with no wind. Actually, driving 15mph faster will give worse MPG than a 15mph headwind, since wind is seldom steady and roads curve such that we are seldom driving directly into the wind for the entire trip.
Stating the obvious, driving with a steady direct headwind results in the same aerodynamic drag as driving faster in a calm wind. Driving with a steady direct tailwind results in the same aerodynamic drag as driving slower in a calm wind. A 15mph headwind when driving at 60mph affects MPG similarly to driving at 75mph with no wind. Actually, driving 15mph faster will give worse MPG than a 15mph headwind, since wind is seldom steady and roads curve such that we are seldom driving directly into the wind for the entire trip.
