what is the average horsepower of a car when traveling at 55 mph?

Question

I just need a general average horsepower for a project im doing with school...thanks

Answer 1

i don't think that's a valid question? there are too many variables (ie., bore, stroke, compression, horsepower rating, torque, gear ratio of transmission, tire size, weight of vehicle, wind resistence, etc., etc.). g/l, sos

Answer 2

Actually accelerating takes horsepower. Maintaining 55 miles an hour about 5 hp. Turn the a/c on thats 4 hp crank up the 1000 watt amp and sub woffers add 3 hp alternator load.. Turn on the four TV screens play a dvd and alternator is maxed out at 4 hp. Actual wind resistence may vary at 55 miles an hour. Cars of the early 80's were smogged and ran poorly so some ford fairmonts only were capable of about 20 to thirty rear axle horsepower. 1976 Toyota Celica was a real looser at 18 rhp. Now today we can purchase cars with over 285 hp at the rear wheels stock and 300 lb feet torque. and even return good gas milage numbers at highway speed. Be cool stay in school!

Answer 3

I dont think youll find an answer to that question what is the average horsepower of a car in general? are you accelerating at 55 or just cruising? good luck

Answer 4

I did the figuring on this a few years ago. 1986 Maxima 60 mph gets 30 mpg. 1978 Cessna 152 burns 6.5 gallons per hour at 75% power .75x115=86hp. So at 86 hp we burn 6.5 gallons per hour. At 60 mph tha car will burn about 2 gallons per hour. So the maxima takes about 26 hp to cruise at 60 mph. The cessna has a high compression engine which makes it more efficient but the maxima is fuel injected vs carb. so I figure they cancel each other out.

Answer 5

about 12. Chevy cavalier ads used to claim 11 mph at 55mph, in the early 80`s.

There is a guy who put a 10hp diesel engine in a GEO metro, and does 50, but his gearing may not be right.

all the extra hp in a car is not used very often...hard acceleration and steep uphills.

heres the link to that guys 10hp diesel GEO.

http://utterpower.com/10hp_chevy.htm

Answer 6

The horse power of a car is "00". The horse power of the car engine at 55 mph is the same as when it is parked in the garage. Horse power has nothing to do with speed.

Answer 7

You have to be more specific.... 4 cyc, 6 cyc 8 cyc..... and then there are too many variables..... engines from 80 HP like imports up to 600 HP like American muscle cars......