Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 07, 2014, 12:59:42 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 07, 2014, 12:59:42 AM
I've been doing pizza delivery as a side job lately in the cougar. been tracking my mpg's. previously my average on my old 87 302 aod bird was between 14 and 19mpg. i could usually count on 16ish.
Yesterday i averaged 16.8, 90% city, 11 miles out of 120, and today i averaged 20 over 100 miles (15-20 miles freeway, i top off at the end of my shift so i can accurately judge profit for the night.)
I really want to do some freeway driving to see what i can squeeze out of the old 190,700 mile engine. my guess is its gonna be 30+.
i plan on pulling the 275/60's off and throwing a more stockish sized 235/65 out back. should help some, i might even throw on my other rims with 195/60's on them. cougar can't make enough power to spin the big tires, so it should help freeway driving.
Another driver has a late 90's 4.0 explorer and he was turning down deliveries because they were more then 5 mile round trip because he "couldn't afford the gas".
some people.
Yesterday i averaged 16.8, 90% city, 11 miles out of 120, and today i averaged 20 over 100 miles (15-20 miles freeway, i top off at the end of my shift so i can accurately judge profit for the night.)
I really want to do some freeway driving to see what i can squeeze out of the old 190,700 mile engine. my guess is its gonna be 30+.
i plan on pulling the 275/60's off and throwing a more stockish sized 235/65 out back. should help some, i might even throw on my other rims with 195/60's on them. cougar can't make enough power to spin the big tires, so it should help freeway driving.
Another driver has a late 90's 4.0 explorer and he was turning down deliveries because they were more then 5 mile round trip because he "couldn't afford the gas".
some people.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 07, 2014, 08:17:44 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 07, 2014, 08:17:44 AM
When I was delivering 18mpg was always my magic number. My 83 302 cougar got 18mpg, and my 80 255 thunderbird also got 18mpg. The 79 2.3 Fairmont got between 18-21, but it was terrible for delivering. It wouldn't get out of it's own way. It was dangerous to pull out into traffic, like on blind hills. Once it was up to speed it was fine, but for the extra few mpg, it was not worth the aggravation. That and it ate a quart of oil every 100 miles (one night of delivering). So the oil cost ate up any savings on gas.
I miss delivering. It's still my all-time favorite job. My wife worried too much about me though. I understand her concern, I wouldn't want her out there either.
Have fun, and stay safe.
Edit: I just noticed that part about the other guy turning down deliveries because he can't afford the gas. "Respect the rotation". That's all I would tell the other guys. When it's your turn, you take what comes up. No skipping around, no cherry picking. Make your manager enforce it. It's only fair.
I miss delivering. It's still my all-time favorite job. My wife worried too much about me though. I understand her concern, I wouldn't want her out there either.
Have fun, and stay safe.
Edit: I just noticed that part about the other guy turning down deliveries because he can't afford the gas. "Respect the rotation". That's all I would tell the other guys. When it's your turn, you take what comes up. No skipping around, no cherry picking. Make your manager enforce it. It's only fair.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 07, 2014, 09:02:39 AM
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 07, 2014, 09:02:39 AM
I've always been impressed with the mileage on these cars. For being decent sized, comfortable, affordable, and V8 powered, you really can't beat them.
I agree with Coogar about your fellow driver. I've been working at Papa Johns for the last 16 years (not as a driver though) and that would not fly around here. It's his choice to be a driver and he needs to take what's up. I'd tell his ass to pound sand if I saw him cherry picking like that all the time.
I agree with Coogar about your fellow driver. I've been working at Papa Johns for the last 16 years (not as a driver though) and that would not fly around here. It's his choice to be a driver and he needs to take what's up. I'd tell his ass to pound sand if I saw him cherry picking like that all the time.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 07, 2014, 10:08:49 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 07, 2014, 10:08:49 AM
I've learned you can't control other people. my delivery area is a good bit, but none of its big enough to bitch about. i might be leaving unfortinately. its just i got a new full time job.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 07, 2014, 11:47:45 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 07, 2014, 11:47:45 AM
Make sure you leave on good terms, notice and all, if you like the job. I have been back to work at the same pizza place probably 8-10 times in my life. It's a good safety net between jobs.
Fun trivia, the same manager has been at my store since 1988, lol. He welcomes me back every time I need work.
Fun trivia, the same manager has been at my store since 1988, lol. He welcomes me back every time I need work.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 12:39:13 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 12:39:13 AM
I just quit the pizza place. i worked 13 hours today, 7 am to 9pm. I'm beat. i am going to call the store manager and ask if i can still work weekends and try cover my next 4 shifts..
i figured when they told me 40 hours a week id be offwrongfully by 3:30. I was wrong
I'm really bummed out, but at 4 times the pay and 60 hours projected this week, i gotta look out for number 1. I just hope i can do it without burning any bridges. i just can't make the two jobs work, even though i still made good money doing pizza.
i figured when they told me 40 hours a week id be offwrongfully by 3:30. I was wrong
I'm really bummed out, but at 4 times the pay and 60 hours projected this week, i gotta look out for number 1. I just hope i can do it without burning any bridges. i just can't make the two jobs work, even though i still made good money doing pizza.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: MY83T on April 08, 2014, 12:46:30 AM
Post by: MY83T on April 08, 2014, 12:46:30 AM
I know this is a pizza delivery thread now, but just to jump back to the original thought of MPG. The Cougar is giving me 24-26 on the Highway, 14-18 in the city.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: White85GS on April 08, 2014, 01:15:10 AM
Post by: White85GS on April 08, 2014, 01:15:10 AM
Was that Fairmont auto or manual? A manual really brings those 2.3's to life, even the N/A ones! a 79 2.3 actually had about 5 hp more than a 3.3, since the 2.3 was a 2 barrel, and a 3.3 was only a 1 barrel. I average 23-24 in both of my 2.3 manual Rangers, worst I got in the 85 Cougar was 12, best IDK, 20? My mother thinks I'm joking when I tell her my 3.0 auto 2wd Ranger got about the same mileage as a 5.0.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 01:24:17 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 01:24:17 AM
I'm not sure my freeway mpg, but I'm looking at 50 miles today and.the guage still reads above full. I'm shooting for 600 miles this tank. i have a 1 gallon gas can in the trunk since i discovered the bottom e-1/2 never changes. shoots straight to empty.
after 5 days i should be over 250 miles, and hopefully it can last two weeks till my first paycheck.
after 5 days i should be over 250 miles, and hopefully it can last two weeks till my first paycheck.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: White85GS on April 08, 2014, 03:39:59 AM
Post by: White85GS on April 08, 2014, 03:39:59 AM
IMO, these cars have huge tanks, even a boxy body Town Car only had an 18 gal tank. In the Cougar, I was lucky to go 150 miles before the needle was on half, I can get to 200 in my 2.3 Rangers and those had 15-16 gal tanks.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 08, 2014, 08:50:57 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 08, 2014, 08:50:57 AM
Quote from: White85GS;431959
Was that Fairmont auto or manual? A manual really brings those 2.3's to life, even the N/A ones! a 79 2.3 actually had about 5 hp more than a 3.3, since the 2.3 was a 2 barrel, and a 3.3 was only a 1 barrel. I average 23-24 in both of my 2.3 manual Rangers, worst I got in the 85 Cougar was 12, best IDK, 20? My mother thinks I'm joking when I tell her my 3.0 auto 2wd Ranger got about the same mileage as a 5.0.
That fairmont was an auto. I think it was abused before I got it though. It only had 80k miles on it, but it had bad oil blow-by. That 2.3 (auto) verses my 85 turbo 2.3 (also auto) is like the difference between firing a bullet and throwing it. My 85 turbo is fun to drive, that's why I thought maybe a 2.3 NA wouldn't be too bad. That car was nice looking and comfortable, but an absolute frustration to drive. I even had a 2.3 EFI mustang back in the day (1989 model, I think) and it wasn't too terrible. But that fairmont was just a dud.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 09:05:08 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 08, 2014, 09:05:08 PM
95 Miles. still reading over full.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: White85GS on April 09, 2014, 07:27:46 PM
Post by: White85GS on April 09, 2014, 07:27:46 PM
Quote from: CoogarXR;431931
The 79 2.3 Fairmont got between 18-21, but it was terrible for delivering. It wouldn't get out of it's own way. It was dangerous to pull out into traffic, like on blind hills. Once it was up to speed it was fine, but for the extra few mpg, it was not worth the aggravation. That and it ate a quart of oil every 100 miles (one night of delivering). So the oil cost ate up any savings on gas.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: turbotrav on April 09, 2014, 08:51:07 PM
Post by: turbotrav on April 09, 2014, 08:51:07 PM
Quote from: White85GS;432028
I forgot to mention, but you wanna talk dangerously slow? The 2.0L (an under-bored 2.3) in the Stripped down model first gen Rangers, they barely made 100 ft lbs!! They only came with a manual trans & 2wd.
Story...a buddy of mine in high school rebuilt one of those...85 I believe....but it has been 20 years...LOL Anyways him and his father totally rebuilt it...engine, paint, interior. When I finally got a ride in it...it was the slowest thing ever....did look good though....he drove it for years....said it got 23mpg on the road....so slow....like watching paint dry.
Travis
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 09, 2014, 09:13:17 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 09, 2014, 09:13:17 PM
My old 2.0 b2000 would kill an n/a 2.3. I could chirp 4th gear. got 35+ mpg with or without beating on it.
Also, i accidently drove 75 miles in drive today at 65-80 mph today, now I'm at 1/2 tank. whoops.
Also, i accidently drove 75 miles in drive today at 65-80 mph today, now I'm at 1/2 tank. whoops.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: MY83T on April 09, 2014, 09:54:10 PM
Post by: MY83T on April 09, 2014, 09:54:10 PM
Filled up with Premium 93 today, and got 26.3 MPG on the highway........24 on 87 usually.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 09, 2014, 11:49:01 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 09, 2014, 11:49:01 PM
Therr is less octane, therefore less power.
People always laugh at me when i tell them i get best out of 711 gas, and worst out of chevron and texaco.
People always laugh at me when i tell them i get best out of 711 gas, and worst out of chevron and texaco.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 09, 2014, 11:58:52 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 09, 2014, 11:58:52 PM
Quote from: MY83T;432045
Filled up with Premium 93 today, and got 26.3 MPG on the highway........24 on 87 usually.
I'm surprised you got a benefit. With the stock setup and stock timing you should see no benefit from anything above 87 octane. I run 93 octane in my Thunderbird but I've got the timing set at 18* BTDC. I run it for knock prevention.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: MY83T on April 10, 2014, 12:05:29 AM
Post by: MY83T on April 10, 2014, 12:05:29 AM
Quote from: thunderjet302;432057
I'm surprised you got a benefit. With the stock setup and stock timing you should see no benefit from anything above 87 octane. I run 93 octane in my Thunderbird but I've got the timing set at 18* BTDC. I run it for knock prevention.
Not only have i noticed better mileage, but its running smoother also on acceleration with 93. I only put better brand fuels in my car also.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 10, 2014, 01:02:29 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 10, 2014, 01:02:29 AM
When we did the stupid ethonal switch, i got the equivilent if 108 octane due to the corn . i also lost at least 7% mileage per tank. i think i got some of my power back by bumping the timing up to the 16° range, but the car ran the same with better mileage when i filled up at the gas stations that had not converted over yet.
i expirimented with higher octane. i saw no improvment at all. flying j gave me the best overall average. i honestly think it has more to do with you knowing you filled up with expensive gas. kinda like your sure the car runs better after you do plugs and wires, even though you forgot one plug.
the only reliable way i found to improve gas mileage was to stay a constant 55mph. this would take me from 25-28 range to 30-35mpg range. every other trick i tried had no effect or made things worse. my best actual mileages have actually all been or rural highways through moutain passes with several hundred lbs worth of gear.
When i drove to montana a day or two after i completed my t-5 swap, i brought all of my had tools, two spare tires, my 4 ton floor jack, two jack stands, and several more hundred pounds or work tools, parts and equipment, plus mine and another guys luggage. I got pulled over three times and searched for drugs because my bumper was practically dragging. i averaged 28mpg (no odometer, based off of google maps), but also didn't include about 100 miles worth of driving the day before. if u added about 100 miles into the 15.8 gallons i put back in, it would have been well over 30mpg.
When i tracked it everyday, same normal 52 mile route, i could go anywhere from 23mpg-30mpg without changing anything at all. not using cruise control was also good for about 10% increase. i also don't drive for best mpg. i always floor it wot on every on ramp and to get up to merging speed.
the biggest problem with mpg, two identicle cars driven by two diffrent people can give very puzzling results.
i expirimented with higher octane. i saw no improvment at all. flying j gave me the best overall average. i honestly think it has more to do with you knowing you filled up with expensive gas. kinda like your sure the car runs better after you do plugs and wires, even though you forgot one plug.
the only reliable way i found to improve gas mileage was to stay a constant 55mph. this would take me from 25-28 range to 30-35mpg range. every other trick i tried had no effect or made things worse. my best actual mileages have actually all been or rural highways through moutain passes with several hundred lbs worth of gear.
When i drove to montana a day or two after i completed my t-5 swap, i brought all of my had tools, two spare tires, my 4 ton floor jack, two jack stands, and several more hundred pounds or work tools, parts and equipment, plus mine and another guys luggage. I got pulled over three times and searched for drugs because my bumper was practically dragging. i averaged 28mpg (no odometer, based off of google maps), but also didn't include about 100 miles worth of driving the day before. if u added about 100 miles into the 15.8 gallons i put back in, it would have been well over 30mpg.
When i tracked it everyday, same normal 52 mile route, i could go anywhere from 23mpg-30mpg without changing anything at all. not using cruise control was also good for about 10% increase. i also don't drive for best mpg. i always floor it wot on every on ramp and to get up to merging speed.
the biggest problem with mpg, two identicle cars driven by two diffrent people can give very puzzling results.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: MY83T on April 10, 2014, 01:19:35 AM
Post by: MY83T on April 10, 2014, 01:19:35 AM
Quote from: Haystack;432063
When we did the stupid ethonal switch, i got the equivilent if 108 octane due to the corn . i also lost at least 7% mileage per tank. i think i got some of my power back by bumping the timing up to the 16° range, but the car ran the same with better mileage when i filled up at the gas stations that had not converted over yet.
i expirimented with higher octane. i saw no improvment at all. flying j gave me the best overall average. i honestly think it has more to do with you knowing you filled up with expensive gas. kinda like your sure the car runs better after you do plugs and wires, even though you forgot one plug.
the only reliable way i found to improve gas mileage was to stay a constant 55mph. this would take me from 25-28 range to 30-35mpg range. every other trick i tried had no effect or made things worse. my best actual mileages have actually all been or rural highways through moutain passes with several hundred lbs worth of gear.
When i drove to montana a day or two after i completed my t-5 swap, i brought all of my had tools, two spare tires, my 4 ton floor jack, two jack stands, and several more hundred pounds or work tools, parts and equipment, plus mine and another guys luggage. I got pulled over three times and searched for drugs because my bumper was practically dragging. i averaged 28mpg (no odometer, based off of google maps), but also didn't include about 100 miles worth of driving the day before. if u added about 100 miles into the 15.8 gallons i put back in, it would have been well over 30mpg.
When i tracked it everyday, same normal 52 mile route, i could go anywhere from 23mpg-30mpg without changing anything at all. not using cruise control was also good for about 10% increase. i also don't drive for best mpg. i always floor it wot on every on ramp and to get up to merging speed.
the biggest problem with mpg, two identicle cars driven by two diffrent people can give very puzzling results.
i don't dispute your results at all, but i can say that i tried my test one day apart. Same weather, road conditions, and cruise set at 60MPH. I then hit the reset on the MPG counter at the same marker as well. The mileage benefit was definite. As for the performance question, i had some noise on hard acceleration almost like a slight knocking, which has vanished with the 93 tankful. I ran the car down to 3 gallons remaining before filling with 93. I always fill up at the same local BP station too. I am driving Fox Birds/ Cougars nearly 30 years, so i am a quite familiar with the quirks. Def feel a difference. I may not be able to voice it in a super technical way, but the acceleration was smoother and less noisy.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 10, 2014, 05:39:34 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 10, 2014, 05:39:34 PM
Hmm there are two possibilities. One is that your Cougar has the timing advanced from factory specs. Not likely but it could have happened at some point. The other is that the car has carbon build up in the combustion chamber. It will ping on 87 but not on 93 if that is the case. As a fyi my 91 Mark VII with a 5.0 HO runs fine on 87 octane and the factory timing spec (10* BTDC).
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 10, 2014, 07:56:33 PM
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 10, 2014, 07:56:33 PM
I was thinking the same thing as thunderjet. There is no reason a stock SO 5.0 should need 93 octane if everything is working properly. The only other thing I can think of other than timing and carbon build up is maybe EGR valve stuck closed.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: White85GS on April 10, 2014, 09:05:27 PM
Post by: White85GS on April 10, 2014, 09:05:27 PM
Heh, even cars I had that required/recommended premium, I put regular or mid-grade in and had no issues at all.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 10, 2014, 10:31:29 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 10, 2014, 10:31:29 PM
I'm not taking anything away from anyone, just sharing my experiances. gas mileage is a touch subject. different prople drive different ways and every little bit can make a big differance.
As far as driving cougar/birds, i can gaurentee I've got near or over a half million miles on these cars. i put nearly 180k on my first 86 cougar, about 20k on my 87 cat, 40k on my second 86, about 50k on my second 87 cougar, 80k on my first and second 87 birds, about 60k on my current 87 bird and so far only about 5k on my latest 86 cougar. there's also a few other cars i never recorded mileage on or forgotten about.
As far as driving cougar/birds, i can gaurentee I've got near or over a half million miles on these cars. i put nearly 180k on my first 86 cougar, about 20k on my 87 cat, 40k on my second 86, about 50k on my second 87 cougar, 80k on my first and second 87 birds, about 60k on my current 87 bird and so far only about 5k on my latest 86 cougar. there's also a few other cars i never recorded mileage on or forgotten about.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: MY83T on April 13, 2014, 11:14:48 PM
Post by: MY83T on April 13, 2014, 11:14:48 PM
Here is actual mileage on the Highway the other day, this was average after about an hour or so of driving with cruise on at 55-60.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 12:36:38 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 12:36:38 AM
So you don't buy into the 21mpg updated epa rating either?
I'm not gonna have enough money to fill my car till friday to actually record mileage.
my old 87 bird was fully loaded with the electonic cluster. calculating actual mileage over an entire tanks was generally 2-3mpg lower then what was actually calculated by the computer. less city, sometimes off. more freeway.
I'm not gonna have enough money to fill my car till friday to actually record mileage.
my old 87 bird was fully loaded with the electonic cluster. calculating actual mileage over an entire tanks was generally 2-3mpg lower then what was actually calculated by the computer. less city, sometimes off. more freeway.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 12:41:04 AM
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 12:41:04 AM
Oh, since i can't calculate this tank i too my mileage 380, added 10%(speedo is off by 15%. i jus
t swapped more appropreately sized 235/60's out back) and that would be 19mpg over the whole 22 gallon tank. I'm surr i havent used it all obviously. i probably have more like 8 gallons left id guess, but nothing stellar.
I'm gonna do a ton of driving next weekend. I've been without a full time pay check for a while. it will be nice to start getting one again
t swapped more appropreately sized 235/60's out back) and that would be 19mpg over the whole 22 gallon tank. I'm surr i havent used it all obviously. i probably have more like 8 gallons left id guess, but nothing stellar.
I'm gonna do a ton of driving next weekend. I've been without a full time pay check for a while. it will be nice to start getting one again
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: White85GS on April 14, 2014, 12:44:28 AM
Post by: White85GS on April 14, 2014, 12:44:28 AM
Quote from: MY83T;432296
Here is actual mileage on the Highway the other day, this was average after about an hour or so of driving with cruise on at 55-60.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 14, 2014, 08:32:05 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 14, 2014, 08:32:05 AM
Just a technical note- those onboard MPG displays have no real fuel consumption data being fed to them. They work from the VSS and Tach signals, IIRC. They probably have a base reference to go by, for instance, 60mph @ 2500rpm = 25mpg (or whatever). Any more MPH with less RPM equals X more MPG. Any higher RPM with lower MPH (such as climbing a hill) equals lower MPG. I don't believe it even uses the signal from the fuel sender (my sender in my old 87 went bad, and I believe the mileage computer still worked).
You guys probably already knew that, I just figured I'd mention it just in case anybody new was reading this.
EDIT- I was proven wrong- there is fuel data from the ECM provided to the cluster. Whoops!
You guys probably already knew that, I just figured I'd mention it just in case anybody new was reading this.
EDIT- I was proven wrong- there is fuel data from the ECM provided to the cluster. Whoops!
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 14, 2014, 09:00:08 AM
Post by: Loaded87IROC on April 14, 2014, 09:00:08 AM
I've never had a full digital clusters but I know tripminders do get fuel data directly from the eec. I would imagine the full digital cluster is the same.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 14, 2014, 09:42:16 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 14, 2014, 09:42:16 AM
Well, I've been wrong before, heh. I'd be interested to see the schematic if anybody has one handy.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 10:58:29 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 10:58:29 PM
http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/tripminder.html
i don't see why the trip computer would use it and digi dash wouldn't
i don't see why the trip computer would use it and digi dash wouldn't
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 11:02:06 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 14, 2014, 11:02:06 PM
http://www.coolcats.net/general/8588digital.html
pin out for digital dash shows fuel flow on blue/light pink wire. same color as trip computer.
pin out for digital dash shows fuel flow on blue/light pink wire. same color as trip computer.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: CoogarXR on April 15, 2014, 07:04:00 AM
Post by: CoogarXR on April 15, 2014, 07:04:00 AM
Well, I'll be danged. Learn something new every day.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on April 18, 2014, 01:44:46 PM
Post by: Haystack on April 18, 2014, 01:44:46 PM
Got my trip computer thrown in last night. i kept getting well over 160mpg. eventually i soldered a jumper between pins 7$9 and ended up with an accurate reading. its maiden voyage of 7 miles freeway and 20 miles city pulled up 22.8 mpg. id be willing to bet i can consistantly get 20mpg city out of it.
freeway numbers were no good. lots of traffic, stop and go, construction and what not today. I'm gonna finish throwing on the trim panels and clean it out. i might try a freeway run today or tonight.depending on how my easter weekend plans pan out.
freeway numbers were no good. lots of traffic, stop and go, construction and what not today. I'm gonna finish throwing on the trim panels and clean it out. i might try a freeway run today or tonight.depending on how my easter weekend plans pan out.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on May 08, 2014, 10:32:41 PM
Post by: Haystack on May 08, 2014, 10:32:41 PM
Finally got a few full tanks through the beast. lver the last tank i "averaged 22.1mpg by the trip computer at 25 mph.
filling it with gas, and using odometer, 302 miles, 11.6 gallons, which should be right at 26mpg
filling it with gas, and using odometer, 302 miles, 11.6 gallons, which should be right at 26mpg
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: sarjxxx on May 09, 2014, 06:39:34 PM
Post by: sarjxxx on May 09, 2014, 06:39:34 PM
I seem to average 18-20, and that is highway or city. With my 3.8. So you're doing pretty good.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on May 18, 2014, 12:00:05 AM
Post by: Haystack on May 18, 2014, 12:00:05 AM
I've decided the gas tank lies. i ran it well below empty and could only get 12 gallons in it, completely filling the filler neck.
i do have either something different going on since i filled up last time though. the best i ever got my trip to read average was 22.1 mpg. now i have a new best average according to the trip computer.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/bosenKevin_02/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/0517142143.jpg)
over 58.6 mile round trip. i had it reading up to 28.9mpg average but i took the long way home that had a bunch of stop lights and hills.
not sure if they finally switched to a summer grade of gas, some sensor randomly started working again, or if its because i filled up at a different gas station then i normally do, but I'm guessing a good 15-20% increase.
around 55mph it seems to be missing a bit. i bumped the timing up to about 16° last month. I'm thinking i need to try dropping it.back down to 10-12° because although i.can maintain speed and driveability seems fine, no pinging or anything, at 55-62mph it stays at 19-22mpg on the instant economy reading maintaining speed on flat level road. i get it up above 62 mph at it shoots up to 31 or so.
I'm also tempted to put my 275/60's back on, as it gave me an almost 10% od bonus (calculators said 15%, But speedo is only off by 10% with the bigger tires).
All and all, i am happy with the way its been running for the last few days, and I'm hoping with a bit lower timing ill be able to match my other cars at 30mpg average over an entire tank. obviously this takes careful driving, but i try really hard to maintain withing 5mph of. the speed limit, generally cruising right at, or over the speed limit.
i do have either something different going on since i filled up last time though. the best i ever got my trip to read average was 22.1 mpg. now i have a new best average according to the trip computer.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d82/bosenKevin_02/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/0517142143.jpg)
over 58.6 mile round trip. i had it reading up to 28.9mpg average but i took the long way home that had a bunch of stop lights and hills.
not sure if they finally switched to a summer grade of gas, some sensor randomly started working again, or if its because i filled up at a different gas station then i normally do, but I'm guessing a good 15-20% increase.
around 55mph it seems to be missing a bit. i bumped the timing up to about 16° last month. I'm thinking i need to try dropping it.back down to 10-12° because although i.can maintain speed and driveability seems fine, no pinging or anything, at 55-62mph it stays at 19-22mpg on the instant economy reading maintaining speed on flat level road. i get it up above 62 mph at it shoots up to 31 or so.
I'm also tempted to put my 275/60's back on, as it gave me an almost 10% od bonus (calculators said 15%, But speedo is only off by 10% with the bigger tires).
All and all, i am happy with the way its been running for the last few days, and I'm hoping with a bit lower timing ill be able to match my other cars at 30mpg average over an entire tank. obviously this takes careful driving, but i try really hard to maintain withing 5mph of. the speed limit, generally cruising right at, or over the speed limit.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on May 29, 2014, 12:53:17 AM
Post by: Haystack on May 29, 2014, 12:53:17 AM
Been playing with things a bit. went back to stock timing, didn't change anything. harbor freight timing light ped out on me. don't buy the cheapest one. can't even see the flash during.daylight.
i have a larger "sweet spot" where i can maintain or slightly accelerate from 60-70mph. i might be able to do better at 75-80mph speeds (new rural highway speed limits). Haven't gone above 60mph obviously. Still a "deadspot from 55-60mph where it almost seems to bog down. i can't get between 55-60mpg without the trip computer reading 22mpg or lower.
on my drive home, i have gotten the trip computer to read at 35mpg over a full 25 mile drive back. I'm not a morning person and keep having to rush a bit to get to work on time, so my morning drives have all dropped it back down from 25-30ish.
i maintain that on a good long freeway drive, 35mpg is possible at 60-65mph. i am taking a trip about 45 miles each way. i am taking a trip this weekend that should let me verify with an actual gas fillup.
i have a larger "sweet spot" where i can maintain or slightly accelerate from 60-70mph. i might be able to do better at 75-80mph speeds (new rural highway speed limits). Haven't gone above 60mph obviously. Still a "deadspot from 55-60mph where it almost seems to bog down. i can't get between 55-60mpg without the trip computer reading 22mpg or lower.
on my drive home, i have gotten the trip computer to read at 35mpg over a full 25 mile drive back. I'm not a morning person and keep having to rush a bit to get to work on time, so my morning drives have all dropped it back down from 25-30ish.
i maintain that on a good long freeway drive, 35mpg is possible at 60-65mph. i am taking a trip about 45 miles each way. i am taking a trip this weekend that should let me verify with an actual gas fillup.
Title: new best city mpg
Post by: Haystack on June 09, 2014, 09:57:50 PM
Post by: Haystack on June 09, 2014, 09:57:50 PM
This thread is now dead.
I'm now driving a 2011 fiesta. I'm getting 40mpg city and 50+ mpg freeway.
maybe ill start making a car fast now and screw mileage.
I'm now driving a 2011 fiesta. I'm getting 40mpg city and 50+ mpg freeway.
maybe ill start making a car fast now and screw mileage.