The Gas-Mileage Thread

[santacruzer]

Worst towing mileage so far has been 12.1mpg, average around 14.5. Best ever w/o trailer was 25.1.

For you other OCD types...there's a great little iPhone app called Car Care (KB Enterprises?). Will give you an astonishing array of information, and keep histories, way beyond fuel mileage...avg distance per fill, most/least expensive fuel, your carbon footprint, fuel cost per mile, colored graphs, etc., etc.. You can track multiple vehicles, and even plot your fueling locations.

[GaryH]

There are even more variables, other than your speed when it comes to gas mileage. Are your tires inflated properly? Does your vehicle need a tuneup? Hows the fuel & air filters? What's the load that you're carrying? Lots of hills, or flat roads?
As they say.........your mileage may vary!

[Dixhiccup]

Jim, wherever did you get the idea that you will have "All the time in the World" when you retire? I speak from experience that there aren't enough hours in the day to accommodate all those things that one will do in one's retirement. The expression "Are we there yet?" becomes "My goodness are we here already?"!! or something to that effect. So actually you will probably drive a bit faster because the yearning for that spiced coke will come earlier in the day. Remember the expression "You're only young once etc" and get it done now. Cheers

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Dixhiccup

Jim, wherever did you get the idea that you will have "All the time in the World" when you retire? I speak from experience that there aren't enough hours in the day to accommodate all those things that one will do in one's retirement. The expression "Are we there yet?" becomes "My goodness are we here already?"!! or something to that effect. So actually you will probably drive a bit faster because the yearning for that spiced rum and coke will come earlier in the day. Remember the expression "You're only young once etc" and get it done now. Cheers

Edited for accuracy, though it just might be what you meant.

What I mean by time, is that I will be doing multi-month trips, and not multi-day to two week trips only, and won't feel the need to get to a set destination as quick. I do know what you mean, as I am certain my years in retirement will be filled, but more with stuff I prefer to do, rather than have to do. Heck, I will probably still have some work projects on the go too, but will no longer have employees, and could drop the hammer for a month or two whenever I felt like it.

[Dixhiccup]

Jim I like your expression "drop the hammer". I was an auctioneer for fifty something years and owned an auction company for thirty of those years. So I wish you luck and happiness in your upcoming time off. Cheers

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by emers382

It's great to get some idea about mileage here on this thread as we are considering both tug and TT but could I ask that we keep it to one style of measurement, Doug quoted in l/100 km (which I use) then next post was Jim with MPG(US). Of course we started with MPG(IMP) Why not for the sake of our American friends since we Canadians all understand MPG keep it to that measurement for the thread - Miles Per US Gal.?

Yes, one system is great, so go ahead and report only in L/100km. After all, that's the Canadian system for Canadian trailers, and it avoids the "which gallon" problem.

Fuel has not been sold in anything but litres for about 35 years in Canada, and for the same time odometers here have been in kilometres, so everyone here who uses MPG is going through an extra pointless conversion.

Do we all "understand" MPG? Most Canadians who convert everything to MPG convert to miles per imperial gallon, so the US numbers are not comparable with their experience.

Seriously... I would be happy if people would just report what they have, but say what it is (US or imperial if MPG).

[Jrn56]

I wish the US would get with the times and go completely metric!
And while they are at it get rid of the penny. It costs more than a penny to make one. :

John

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Jrn56

I wish the US would get with the times and go completely metric!
And while they are at it get rid of the penny. It costs more than a penny to make one. :

John

I have been saying the same thing for years now, John. With many of the American friends I have, it seems to be a pride thing to want to be the only developed country not using the metric system.

And yes, the penny. I am SO glad that we got rid of it. Things are way simpler, and my wallet appreciates it too.

[LeonardS]

CalculateMe.com - Convert Miles Per Gallon (US) to Liters Per 100 Kilometers

[Dave Walter]

Here is my recent fuel mileage towing and not towing in a more politically correct format (Note: 2011 FJ Cruiser towing 2013 Escape 19' in mostly mountainous terrain):

[GaryH]

That's interesting. My '07 FJ gets about 22 Imp miles/gal, & it looks like your '11 gets just over 25. (not towing) I wonder why? Newer engine?

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by GaryH

That's interesting. My '07 FJ gets about 22 Imp miles/gal, & it looks like your '11 gets just over 25. (not towing) I wonder why? Newer engine?

My numbers should be pretty accurate. I was making a special effort to completely fill the tank to near the brim during each fillup, and I recorded volume at the pump and km's from the odometer. My FJ is pretty much stock with all-season tires. Have you modified yours in any way?

[gbaglo]

My understanding is that if you "fill to the brim" some of that gas will exit through a vent, so you're just wasting gas.
If you let the pump shut off and don't try to top it off beyond that, you will still be able to calculate mileage accurately.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

My understanding is that if you "fill to the brim" some of that gas will exit through a vent, so you're just wasting gas.
If you let the pump shut off and don't try to top it off beyond that, you will still be able to calculate mileage accurately.

That may very well be the case. However, on my truck the difference between filling to the brim and stopping when the pump shuts off is about 600 versus 500 km per tank. I prefer to not fill up as frequently.

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by dave1

Speed effects mpg. What speed is everyone driving?

Dave

Our Frontier/5.0 combo seems to be most comfortable at about 62mph.

[itoddday]

I towed mine up the highway yesterday just to see how it would do. My Ram 1500 (V6) and 5.0 seemed just fine @ 70 mph. I was comfortable around 65 mph.

[Jubal]

Over filling the fuel tank (adding fuel after the pump shuts off in response to back pressure) will eventually cause the charcoal canister in the evaporative emission system to fail and turn on the "Check Money Light" and possible missfire.

[Mountain Mike]

Ice-Breaker, don't over fill your gas tank! You "WILL" be buying a new charcoal filter. The one on my Toyota failed from that practice. When the pump shuts off, hang up the hose.

[J Mac]

Is this charcoal filter an American thing? I've not heard of it before!?

[cpaharley2008]

Some vehicles use it as part of their emission system, depends on each auto manufacturer.