425.7-mile tank

[unicycle]

As an experiment (and based on Dave777's claim that you can take the tank below 0.0 gallons for 10-20 miles) I decided to start my 85-mile commute this afternoon with only 1/8 tank showing (the gauge had just clicked from 1/4). I figured that I had about 1.3-1.4 actual gallons in the tank (not including the possibly apocryphal 1.3 gallons in the tubing, or whatever).

Since I already had 365 miles on the tank, I thought that I had a shot not only at 400 but also at eclipsing my record of about 418. Just to be safe, I bought a new gas can and filled it up with 1.000 gal of 93-octane, which is what I've been using of late. I set off.

At 383 miles, the 1.0 gallon symbol came on. It began descending in one-tenth increments every 5 miles or so until I was passing the 418-mile mark with .02 gallons to go. I pulled into my favorite station in NJ just after the 0.0 mark -- maybe a mile or so. If I'd had to drive further at 0.0, I might have gone for it just because I had the extra gallon.

Final tally on this tank: 425.7 miles, 8.750 gallons. That comes out to about 48.6 miles per gallon, which is about as high as I've gotten for a tank. In order to achieve that mileage, I've been driving at an avg speed of about 55, and I've been using other hyper-miler tricks, too, like the pulse-and-glide (but no drafting).

[SylenThunder]

The furthest I have gone is about 8 miles after I hit the 0.0. I was sweating the entire way =).

[2micro4u]

Wow that is GREAT

[GHammerly]

Wow! great mileage. When using pulse-glide technique, how much throttle % and how much RPM before upshift?

[NillaWafer89]

Wow, that's incredible. I knew the Smart could do it I just didn't know how. I am scheduled to get mine next month and I am excited as ever. It's good to know that it is possible to get that much on a tank driving it to its last bit. Thanks for this post!!

[Smart09]

I took it far after 0.0 and when I went to fill up it filled with 8.957

[Hlf Pnt]

Originally Posted by unicycle

As an experiment (and based on Dave777's claim that you can take the tank below 0.0 gallons for 10-20 miles) I decided to start my 85-mile commute this afternoon with only 1/8 tank showing (the gauge had just clicked from 1/4). I figured that I had about 1.3-1.4 actual gallons in the tank (not including the possibly apocryphal 1.3 gallons in the tubing, or whatever).

Since I already had 365 miles on the tank, I thought that I had a shot not only at 400 but also at eclipsing my record of about 418. Just to be safe, I bought a new gas can and filled it up with 1.000 gal of 93-octane, which is what I've been using of late. I set off.

At 383 miles, the 1.0 gallon symbol came on. It began descending in one-tenth increments every 5 miles or so until I was passing the 418-mile mark with .02 gallons to go. I pulled into my favorite station in NJ just after the 0.0 mark -- maybe a mile or so. If I'd had to drive further at 0.0, I might have gone for it just because I had the extra gallon.

Final tally on this tank: 425.7 miles, 8.750 gallons. That comes out to about 48.6 miles per gallon, which is about as high as I've gotten for a tank. In order to achieve that mileage, I've been driving at an avg speed of about 55, and I've been using other hyper-miler tricks, too, like the pulse-and-glide (but no drafting).

I did the same thing with the extra 1 gal gas can in the front seat (that wasn't too smart but better than behind my head) and I went 25 miles after the 0.0. The car was still running (maybe on fumes) but I chicken' out and pulled into my gas station. Unicycle has given me the courage to try it again to see how far I can go before it actually runs out of gas. Hopefully no semi's will be behind me. Hate to think I'll be sharing a spot on a hood with a chrome bulldog. When I do it I'll let you all know how far I went (or maybe not if I'm being followed by a semi)

HALF PINT IN NJ

[unicycle]

Originally Posted by GHammerly

Wow! great mileage. When using pulse-glide technique, how much throttle % and how much RPM before upshift?

I'm not sure about the #s, tho I could check. I basically P&G between the speeds of 50 and 60 or 65 mph. I try to get back from 50-60 pretty fast, but I keep the revs below 3000 almost always, according to my ScanGauge.

[jwight]

No, it's 42.57 mpg because the car has a 10 gallon tank.

[Dave777]

Good job unicycle. I think you could have gone another 25 miles as long as it's on level ground.