caymandive

iTrader: (2)

On the way back from Pennsylvania I was bored and decided to see what kind of mpg I was actually getting. Averaging 60mph for 33.8miles I averaged 29.2mpg. Not bad for 306hp! Then again I think Corvettes get even more mpg on the hwy with 400+hp

vp911

Excellent news!

Bichon

Not bad! What was the outdoor temperature during that drive? (I've noticed that when the temperature plummets, so does my gas mileage, especially on tanks with lots of short trips)

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

34 degrees

mcfly

That's because modern cars run extremely rich during warmup, plus winter gas has a higher oxygen content, meaning less energy per gallon. Colder temps also mean a higher volume air intake charge, which is compensated for with additional fuel.

The end result is you're probably actually making some more HP in winter, but you're burning more fuel in the process. Lots of short trips don't help, as you've noticed.

mcfly

By the way, I'd be more interested to see what that figure is at around 75-80mph. I don't know where you live, but during my commute, if you're not doing at least 75mph, you're getting overtaken by everyone and their mother.

EDIT: doh. I see "VA" in your sig... whereabouts?

Bichon

Yep, physics in action. With my last car, a twin turbo Audi S4, the difference in power between an acceleration run on a cold day and a warm one was not subtle. (A cold snap made the butt dyno very happy ) The difference isn't quite as noticiable on a NA car, but i"m sure it's still there.

NINEZeRO

Can you reset the MPG display? The last time I looked mine was at 16.2 while on the highway.

hashs99

hold down the display button.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

oh he yeah, I live in Northern VA (Ashburn) I was driving down rt 15 from Gettysburg last night and the roads were a bit slick and lots of police around so I decided to set the cruise at 60 and reset the avg mpg display and after over 30 miles I looked down and was surprised I was getting over 29mpg.

Morrissey

It's amazing how changing your driving habits can greatly affect your MPG. I was driving pretty aggresively last week then decided to relax and hold back on being a leadfoot. Prior to my change of driving style, my tank avg was 18.2 mpg. Since the change (and a refill of gas), my tank avg is 23 mpg. Pretty significant difference considering the only variable I changed from my last fillup was my driving style.

mcfly

I'm really quite amazed that people are so surprised that their driving habits play a significant role in their fuel economy.

But I'm more worried about the fact that people, in general, seem to be averaging under 20mpg. That doesn't bode well for my (very long) commute.

Payam

That is a good MPG number, but around the Tampa Bay area, if your on the interstate, you have to be doing at least 75-80 just to keep up with traffic.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Just did a 300 mile round trip to DE and back and I got 300 miles on the 1st half tank of gas averaging the 29+mpg. The trip average speed was 56.4mph, which includes the stops along the way. I am very very impressed with this car. Just for comparison sakes, my old Honda Accord Hybrid could barely match this. On a similar trip I averaged 31mpg in the Honda and it had 51 less hp!

TimboIS

Unfortunately what the display says and what you actually get are two different things. Don't be fooled.