bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Just goes to show it is possible to get decent mpg. I got 29.33 mpg on a highway drive yesterday. 176 miles on exactly 6 gallons of premium.

Just changed the spark plugs
reset the ecu before leaving
Highway trip on fairly flat terrain
Cruise control at 74mph the whole way
No significant winds or tailgating


Anyone else ever gotten 28mpg+ or did I just get lucky ?

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

curious, but how did you measure exactly 6 gallons in the tank.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

To be honest, I'm doubtful it's accurate. How did you measure?

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Pulled it in right as the gas light came on on a level surface. drove till the gas light came on again. It was in series of highway driving too so I drove till it came on for 3 hours before it.

But even if it was +- half a gallon its still over 25.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

clearly your profession isn't in a field of science, as assumptions aren't the best form of accuracy

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

yeah, that's why. You can't trust that


The gas tank is split in the middle, and you can trigger a low light with about +/- 2.5 gallons, with the excess or deficiency being on the other side of the middle hump.

I don't doubt that you got good healthy mileage, but I'd bet that you had ~1.5 gallons on the other side of the hump from the level sensor when you filled up.

You would have had to fill up to the top each time. And then you will still get variations from pump to pump in when they will actually trigger the cut-off. Calculations based on a partial tank fill is rarely accurate, and when it is, it's from happenstance, not from due diligence.

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

whaaatever, haters gona hate

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Even at as much as 1.5 gallons (which would be highly unlikely since I wasnt winging hairpin turns throwing gas around) itd still be 23mpg at absolute minimum then.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

We aren't hating. Really. We aren't.

Feel free to repeat that, only starting with a full tank, and then topping off again at 173 miles. Prove it.

You are going to see what we mean.

And for the record, I've had plenty of people discount me when I proved 22-24mpg tank after tank after tank. Again, I don't doubt that you got good mileage. Just not as high as you think.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup. That's why I guessed 1.5 gallons. It's totally normal top end for a healthy 8.

This is 8,330 miles in ~12 days on my 8. Note the return section in the bottom half at 75mph cruise.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Agreed, not hating, just doubtful.

I would say that you probably got a more believable number like 22mpg based on the driving conditions described.

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

I actually did one other time going from VA to NC and got 26mpg but that also included an 8 mile coast in neutral down i77. I really dont see where people get such low numbers as 15 and 13 mpg. maybe theirs was raced on track for a majority of its life?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

No, you get better mileage cruising on the highway on the way home from a racetrack than you do on the way there. (typically) Carbon cleaning.

People getting that low of mileage are either A) not cruising, or B) have something wrong with their 8.

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Wooooowww thats a lot of miles. but on the same note thats also at 80+.

Something I just considered is Ive been driving about 500 miles with a small trailer and a street bike on it, just detached it last weekend. I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

80+ isn't accurate

Well, it's not wrong, but the first digit needs to change. That's the first and last bit anyway. It's been over a year since those states, and with no warranty voiding issues now, it's not as big of a deal. The trip out to AZ we were regularly playing with 90-100. Wind resistance is HUGE as the speeds climb. Look at the trip back though, all in the low 20s for 75 cruise. And it really was 75 cruise. A million speed traps, so just left it on 75, which was sufficient for 65 or 70mph speed limits, cancel briefly in 65mph speed traps out of respect, pick back up after.

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

There are only two ways to measure exactly X gallons used.

1 is to pull the tank and drain it completely and add exactly X gallons, then run the car for a set distance. Pull the tank and measure how much is left. Subtract from original fill, and you'll have the amount of fuel used.

2 is to fill the tank all the way until gas starts to spill out of the filler tube. Drive a set distance, stop and fill past full until gas is spilling out again. Measure the volume of spilt gas and subtract it from the amount of gas put in. This will give you the amount of fuel used.

Your mileage is based of an estimate of 6 gallons used. That is why your figures have been questioned.

The normal way to do it is to top off your tank until the pump auto shuts off. Drive whatever distance, and top off until auto shutoff again. Divid miles driven by gallons paid for.

scorcherjf

Curious, why would you put it in neutral? Wouldn't it be better to leave it in 6th and just not be on the throttle?

Digger1911

Wow, my last two tanks I ave 11.9 mpg,

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Bren, out of curiousity, aren't you the dude that manual swapped a 4 port auto? If so, did you use the mt's rearend?

If you didn't, you will likely get better highway mileage than other mt's because of the lower rear gear.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

For pure fuel efficiency, yes, no throttle 6th gear is better than neutral. However, if the slope isn't steep enough, the drag from the no-load engine in 6th is enough to prevent you from staying at highway speed, and can cause various issues with the vehicles around you, etc...

bren5279

iTrader: (15)

Awww what a buz kill, well I guess its impossible to know for sure now but it had to be at least above 23.
No I didnt do the swap, I considered it but found itd be just the same value to just sell it and buy a manual.
Yeah I couldnt leave it in gear or itd slow down.

REDRX3RX8

I got 27.1 mpg in nice fall weather with slight wind behind me in my 07 6 spd auto on 2 different times.

I carefully filled it each time, but the refill was at the other station approx 290 miles away so there's some possible slight inaccuracy there with different nozzles and maybe slope of car.

Also, for mileage runs, I check my mail, then fillup with warm car.

If I fill the car the night before, I think the warmup would make it 27.0

Anybody measuring mileage without thinking of these things won't get the right data.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

iirc gas cools the fuel pump so why let your gas get so low?

zoom44

there have been a few others that good REAL highway numbers of 27-28 mpg. elara for one on a couple of occasions when new . i forget the others.

Georgia8er

Best I've been able to do is 25 mpg on non-ethanol gas, but haven't had that impressive of numbers since GA switched over to ethanol blend full time.