144 miles a day

[Garbage Man]

I drive 144 miles a day. All freeway, five days a week. 39.30 MPG on the first tank. Anybody have a similar drive to work, with some history?

[oldmike]

176 round trip, 52 MPG, AC on, 70MPH Steady ride!!! Radio Blasting!!!

[wahi]

150 miles roundtrip three days a week, 50% freeway, 10% construction, 40% country-rural, getting 43-44 mpg the past 4 fillups on shell 93. Now pushing 5000 miles...

[SmartCabrio]

100 miles round trip, 5 days a week. All highway, but there are some significant hills and the wind can get gusty because of my proximity to the ocean. Anyway... I average about 43-45 mpg when I keep my speed between 65-70 mph.

[angel]

I only do 50 miles round trip on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However I went to Pineville, Louisiana two weeks ago and came back last week. Headed to Gulf Port, Mississippi then New Orleans, Louisiana and back home again here soon. Last tank was 46.2 and the tank before that was 46.6 mpg. All A/C and radio too.

[jonnysan]

As they get older, they get better!!! I just knew it! I just knew it! I have been noticing ever so slight improvements in power and performance as the miles slowly build up...still only have 3800 on mine and I got it in early February. I will look forward to getting even better mileage in the future.

[JThw8]

140 round trip on NJ highways, averaging about 45mpg cruising between 75 and 80 (I tried keeping it at 65-70 but she wants to run)

[smarteepants]

I'd sure like to know how you guys are getting such good fuel economy. I'm only getting 39 mpg on the highway doing 75-80 mph with no a/c and I've put over 3000 miles on it so far. Maybe Utah just has lousy gas and I've used both the 91 octane which is the highest I've seen here and middle-grade 88 and there's no difference in performance or fuel economy. I've heard that shell gas is good but we don't have it in my town.

[a2jack]

Jonnysan. I was thinking it was just me ,but you hit it. The car does get better.

It feels better "in the seat of the pants". Certainly runs through the gears quicker. Turns corners better. All at 9 k on the ode.

This turning into a very good little car. (o: A2Jack

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by smarteepants

I'd sure like to know how you guys are getting such good fuel economy. I'm only getting 39 mpg on the highway doing 75-80 mph with no a/c and I've put over 3000 miles on it so far. Maybe Utah just has lousy gas and I've used both the 91 octane which is the highest I've seen here and middle-grade 88 and there's no difference in performance or fuel economy. I've heard that shell gas is good but we don't have it in my town.

Just for kicks... try Chevron or Texaco premium. Avoid the cheap discount gas if you can for a tank or two, and see if that helps. And try lowering your speed to 70mph if possible. I noticed a difference in MPG between 65MPH (44mpg, testing one full tank) and 75MPH (40mpg, testing one full tank). I believe the sweet spot is under 70MPH but I could be wrong. Also MPG changes with driving habits, so even on the highway if you change gas pedal position enough to engine brake, you're wasting energy. Likewise, RPMS over 4k when starting out will consume far more gas than RPMs at 2500-3000.

Plus, you're in Utah, mountain country... even the hills have hills. Ease off just a bit on the gas and try to crest one of those hills at 65MPH instead of 80, and your MPGs will improve. If the car has to downshift, it uses 50-100% more gas during that time.


Using these techniques I've gotten my SUV highway mileage from 17MPG to 22MPG on a 200 mile trip.