10 ms·
>A cars cooling system is designed around that and the case where you need all 150 horsepower for 5 seconds, then drive for 30 seconds at 20 horse power before
by itsoktocry 3y ago
>A cars cooling system is designed around that and the case where you need all 150 horsepower for 5 seconds, then drive for 30 seconds at 20 horse power before slamming on the brakes (6 horsepower to run the AC) for the next red light where you wait for 10 seconds (again 6 horse power for the AC).
I'm no expert, but I can't imagine that this is true. I agree that is "average driving conditions", but there are plenty of times you're driving way outside of those conditions. That can't be how the cooling system is designed. I've never seen a car even tick up in temperature, under all kinds of tom foolery.
- jaggederest 3y agoThe limiting factor in average horsepower output over time is definitely the cooling system on most cars. It's just that most people don't run their car at 80% of rated output for extended periods, otherwise you would absolutely overheat it. I've towed large loads up extended grades (hello shasta and grapevine) and you absolutely will overheat on a hot day. And that's with an uprated towing rig that had a radiator sized for the job - imagine that same horsepower of engine in a passenger car with 1/3rd the radiator surface area.
- realo 3y agoSubaru engines are sometimes used in DIY small airplanes and they work well without overheating. This, it can be done.
- jaggederest 3y agoThe airflow differences between airplanes and cars are pretty significant, much higher near ground level and much lower at altitude, so they're kind of a different beast than a static generation setup.
- Blackthorn 3y agoYeah but they're basically always derated.
- dTal 3y agoAmusingly, this is also true for modern laptops.
- jaggederest 3y agoMakes me wonder what a "portable desktop with integrated screen and input" like I had in 2004 would be like these days. I think it was 16 pounds? with a pentium 3 desktop processor in it and about 4 screaming fans. Loved that thing.
- toast0 3y agoDepending on your route, there's some big mountains leaving Los Angeles, if you've got a lot of stuff in your car, it's pretty easy to get the engine and transmission warmer than usual. Engine heat isn't too hard to manage if it's just for a little while --- roll down the windows, turn the fan to high and the heater to max. May be unconfortable, but better than overheating. Afaik, that won't help your transmission though. If you run that at high loads often, you'll want enhanced cooling for that; often part of a factory tow package, but often available from the aftermarket as well.
- thsksbd 3y agoYou can instal a transmission cooler if you live in that region.
- TheSpiceIsLife 3y agoI don't recall seeing an automatic transmission in a car or truck that doesn't have a transmission fluid cooler in front of the radiator for the 25 years I've been paying attention.