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Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:50 am

Is 65mph a safe cruizing speed for my bone stock '71 beetle, thanks!!!!

Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:56 am

ben campbell wrote: Is 65mph a safe cruizing speed for my bone stock '71 beetle, thanks!!!!

No - you'll get run off the road. I suggest about 72 mph.

Technically - your 1971 has doghouse cooler, so if you've got all the hoses and tin connected, and VW is in decent tune, you shouldn't have any issues. This comes from someone who has made about 24 cross-desert trips (in up to 119F) from Arizona to California (and back, of course) in his 1970 VW with 1835 DP engine and AC. That engine was fast and powerful, and now is in my 1971 Convertible.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:58 am

RTFM, Maximum and cruising speed.... 81mph

Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:20 pm

What if you DNHTFM? Lol

Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:58 pm

I suggest you drive whatever the speed limit is, or less if that is what you feel comfortable with.

Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:21 pm

yes...

Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:24 pm

Have people forgotten that these are actual automobiles?

Max

Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:01 pm

Max Welton wrote: Have people forgotten that these are actual automobiles?

Max

I wonder this all the time. I'm not a fan of new vehicles, I don't see the point of a payment..I'm one of those guys who will always have old vehicles, plus I think ON Star and other integrated computer systems like it though a great life saving device can be used in the future for ways it was not originally designed. What i mean by this is everyone is so used to new cars having all the bells and whistles, tho nice to have they are not needed. Plus vehicles are designed today that the common man can not work on or fix issues like you could 20 years ago. Never the less, when we go on trips over a hundred miles in my Corvair or 81 C10, my girls friends and everyone always ask things like "will that make the trip". I looked at One of my girls friends the other weekend and said No! In 1963 the Corvair was only rated to drive 90 to 100 miles and then you have to stop..trips over!. She looked at me funny, I looked at her and said, you know back in the day people drove these across country and everywhere just like you drive your Honda now. She said I know it just looks like it wouldn't make it that far, cars weren't designed very well or safe back then, that thing doesn't even have airbags.

I just shake my head,

Sorry I went a little off topic :D and it really does not answer the question, so yes I drive my 76 at 65-75 mph all the time, and I don't have any issues, even on the highway. To me it's just like driving any car, it a beetle, it's not safe it is what it is a little box with no protection and an impact 45 or 65 makes no difference to me, ether way I'm going to be hurt and slam my head off the stearing wheel or worse.. Maintain the car correctly and you should have no issues.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:17 am

Max Welton wrote: Have people forgotten that these are actual automobiles?

Max

It would seem so.....lots of other drivers on the highway (in my area anyway) treat my car like it's not even there....like it's a mirage.

To the OP....if you focus on questions like the one you asked, you're going to have a hard time enjoying your car b/c you'll be too busy worrying if it's going to crack in half over bumps or catch fire b/c you're going too fast, disintegrate b/c it has a rust spot, etc.

Keep it well tuned, drive it, enjoy it!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:53 am

ben campbell wrote: Is 65mph a safe cruizing speed for my bone stock '71 beetle, thanks!!!!

Please don't drive 65mph down the street I live on... I hate those people.

On the highway... yes, assuming road conditions allow it.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:05 am

I agree. Just drive it! I maintain mine, so if it breaks down, well that's why I have Roadside Assistance. First day I owned the car I drove it home 400 miles without a worry. I had some spare parts and tools though. My bug is also my daily driver, so I don't worry about parking lot dings, etc. I am going to get some.

For what ever reason, my beetle seems the most comfortable crusing at 60. A little above and below. But going faster, it seems to be asking to slow down. I have had it up to 75, but I must have been going downhill with the wind behind me that day. :)

Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:06 am

what if your car doesn't have a doghouse?

Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:47 am

gooser wrote: what if your car doesn't have a doghouse?
Unless the cooling system has been crippled in some way, it should behave at 65 mph just the way it did in, say, 1965 (pre-doghouse).

Was that your question?

Max

Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:06 pm

gooser wrote: what if your car doesn't have a doghouse?

He said bone stock '71. Or are you callin' him a liar, pard ???

Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:30 pm

Many years ago my Full time VW mechanic answered -
" What is the optimum Hwy. Cruisin Speed to maintain on long tours
for the stock beetle engine ? "

His answer was 62 MPH.

Now I wish I had asked him- " Why this particular speed ? "

:roll:

Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:38 pm

What is the average speed to keep in your car on the freeway. I own a 69' autostick bug and I'm not sure what should be the steady speed over there.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:46 pm

cferry7 wrote: Many years ago my Full time VW mechanic answered -
" What is the optimum Hwy. Cruisin Speed to maintain on long tours
for the stock beetle engine ? "

His answer was 62 MPH.

Now I wish I had asked him- " Why this particular speed ? "

:roll:

Maybe because it equals 100 kph, a nice round number.

I just looked at the .pdf of my manual, which I think is funny since the max and cruise speeds are the same. Hmmm. There's no way I'd cruise down the road in my '68 at 78 mph! It seems happy at about 60-65, but those squirrels are really sweating when I go much faster.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:05 pm

You could run 65 I don't see why not. Just make sure everything is in working order everything!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:03 pm

i read somewhere that if you can hold the dipstick after a good cruise, then your engine temp is fine. I can hold mine after sustained 65-70 mph highway driving with little to no discomfort. I am still in the process of installing an oil temp gauge to help my engine blowing up anxiety.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:10 pm

Opticsguy wrote: i read somewhere that if you can hold the dipstick after a good cruise, then your engine temp is fine. I can hold mine after sustained 65-70 mph highway driving with little to no discomfort. I am still in the process of installing an oil temp gauge to help my engine blowing up anxiety.

Just buy this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1201903