THE Miles Per Gallon Thread (merged)

WisJim · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:55 am Post subject: Re: gas mileage now vs then

Regarding the revamped EPA standards, our Honda Civic VX and Chevy Metro both get better gas mileage than the original EPA figures, and even better mileage than the "updated" figures. And of course we have yet to put any gas in the 1981 electric Comutacar, which we charge with wind and solar generated electricity.

BaBaBlackSheep · Coal Joined: May 27, 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Wisconsin

We are hoping the '95 Chevy S-10 4 cyl 2WD manual (32 mpg) holds together. But if we had to get rid of everything with wheels we own now and have only one vehicle (which would be prudent) what are the tolerable choices out there? We need to drive 30 miles round trip for most necessities. Good old Metros and the like are being pulled out of back forties and gotten running again here in rusty Wisconsin and commanding an inflated price, IF you can get one. What relatively good choices are out there in new or few years old used cars? Believe me, we have no interest in living rooms on wheels, but need to haul 100 lb bags of chicken feed and quarterly stock-up grocery trips.

(sigh) We knew somebody with a 50mpg Honda, too, back then. We had a 36 mpg Ford Fiesta at the same time.

GeoUSA · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: gas mileage now vs then

My car now gets about 7 - 10% less miles per gallon since 10% ethanol was added to fuel in the US. It's interesting that studies are showing that a slightly higher percentage (about 17%) of ethanol actually INCREASES fuel economy. Sadly at that level, it would damage many engines and even the fuel pumps that dispense fuel.

TreeFarmer · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 352

GeoUSA · Last edited by GeoUSA on Wed May 28, 2008 3:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

I didn't call it a fact. Your tone could use an adjustment. Feel free to Google that information as I have read it in the press. Studies are ongoing which surprisingly found that a higher mix than 10% of ethanol actually increased fuel economy.

Okay, it took me a few seconds, but here's one link with support:

http://ecotality.com/life/2007/12/07/study-shows-higher-ethanol-blends-may-improve-fuel-economy/

(Sorry if I was too sensitive. TreeFarmer did say please and thank you)

criticalmass · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: Re: gas mileage now vs then

To WisJim and Treefarmer: You really need to be cautious about email etiquitte in these forums. (especially if you do a lot of posting) We've got to be very careful about not turning anyone off of such a great website. Even if things are well intended, reread and make sure the lingo probably won't be construed as offensive before posting.

L8

criticalmass

I did this crazy thing. It really helps me save on gas...

I got back on my motorcycle and rain or shine, it gets 60MPG no lie. When I want to take a passenger it dives to about 56.

Then I realized that I only live 3 miles from work. Now I pedal and get amazing fuel efficiency Smile

Not to be outdone by other "hypermilers" out there, I will be installing a Stanley Meyers style HHP kit on my S10 in the coming weeks. I'll try and remember this thread to update all on the improved efficiency.

yesplease · Fission Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 2552

BigTex

I got 29.5 mpg on my last tank.

The only thing I am doing differently is driving more gently, accelerating slowly, coasting when I can, etc.

It's amazing the difference that focusing on these things can make.
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Smile

xerces

Pops

I'd think because your sig line mentions "grown-up" you would try to walk your talk X - too much to ask I suppose.

At any rate I walk to work as well.

My 4wd, V8 pickup I'll start tracking, but I won't be able to report back for a while...
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Make a plan and work it:

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3515 Location: Maine

I am getting 29 miles per gallon in my Ranger pickup, and my wife's Echo got 43 mpg on a recent trip. We're getting a car that will get the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon:

www.sunnev.com
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Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

Roy

2003 Nissan Altima SE 4 dr. 3.5L V6 5 M/T

28.8 mpg on last fillup - a personal best with this car. All town miles. I'm always between 25mpg and 28mpg on in-town driving.

I've done a couple of minor mods to remove restrictions on the intake and exhaust, no a/c, calm/patient driving style, coasting, minimizing short trips.

I've consistently done better than the EPA ratings of 19/24 from New EPA Ratings for most cars

How does your actual mileage compare to EPA ratings for your vehicle?

tsakach · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 09, 2005 Posts: 326

Honda Insight CVT - 47-56 mpg

The main contributing factor to higher mileage in this vehicle is aerodynamics - reducing speeds, prevailing wind direction, drafting, all raise mileage by at least 20%.

Obviously, drafting is not a very safe thing to do, but I have experimented with it anyway. When driving next to a truck and a little to the right side of the lane, the instantaneous mileage can jump up to as much as 100mpg. It's not worth driving like this just to save a little gas.

The maximum payload is 400 lbs and the mileage drops by 12% with a passenger or equivalent weight.

This car is also sensitive to gasoline blends with higher ethanol content - as much as a 10% decrease in efficiency.

xerces