33 mpg?

Ask10

Ask10

New member
Hi all,

**I did a more thorough test on my days off of work and results are on page 3 maybe 1/3 of the way down. I figured that I likely did around 27 mpg in the original post**

I have an 03' 2WD V8 Sport, all stock and running all synthetic fluids (diff, engine oil, trans oil, and...well power steering fluid too I guess since it's synthetic ATF).

Now granted, I am a very slow driver and have been able to squeeze 26 mpg out of my old Range Rover before on a freeway cruise, but this doesn't make any sense. I left my house at 4 PM (tank was 3/4 full ish and I had already done around 200 miles), and the rest of the journey on the 3/4 tank was all freeway around 45-55 mph the whole depending on traffic. After just getting back at midnight tonight, I stopped for fuel even though the light wasn't on. Fuel computer said 35.2 mpg but I knew that had to be wrong, however 583 miles on the odometer, 17.3 gallons when the pump went click. So that means I did 33.7 mpg on a 4200 lb V8 SUV with the aerodynamic properties of a brick wall?

Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted, but I'm beyond surprised at this one. I don't see how it's possible, especially when the EPA rates it at 18 mpg highway.

Anyone ever match that kind of fuel economy before? Or do you suppose that I could get an extra 3 gallons in before it was really full, and the fuel economy was closer to 28-29 mpg. Still though...even though I didn't hit the top of the filler neck, I'm surprised frankly and happy to admit I've totally fallen in love with this SUV.
 
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You're calculating it backwards - you don't really know exactly how much fuel you started with, so you don't know exactly how much you used and that's throwing your numbers off.
 
Ask10 said:
Hi all,


... Or do you suppose that I could get an extra 3 gallons in before it was really full, ...
Click to expand...

Yes, you can! The gas nozzle in some fuel stations clicks off prematurely, and then I can get an additional 10 liters (about 3 US gallons) into the tank before it is really full! I have this regularly and need a lot of extra time to fill the tank by hand (=holding the nozzle, slowly filling the tank :zoom:).
 
KidVermicious said:
You're calculating it backwards - you don't really know exactly how much fuel you started with, so you don't know exactly how much you used and that's throwing your numbers off.
Click to expand...

Sorry if it was confusing above, but I did start with a full tank. I had done roughly 200 something miles which is what took it from full to below 3/4, and then I finished off the tank today from 4 to midnight on my freeway drive, which was around another 300 something miles which added to the 580. Then I filled it until the first click of the pump (which is what I was told to do), but from the sounds of it, I am guessing I can add a lot more gas in there, so I'm probably looking at closer to 26-28 mpg, which makes more sense.
 
I'm not sure where the error in your calculations is, but you most certainly have made at least one. Unless your entire trip was downhill with a tailwind, then there's absolutely no way you actually achieved that mileage in one of these trucks. Absolutely impossible.
 
I'm lucky if I can squeeze 220 miles out of a tank.

I'd be able to achieve your kind of fuel economy with a tail wind heading down a hill with the engine shut off!
 
33mpg - MAYBE downhill with a tail-wind.

Synthetic fluids MIGHT give you a difference of 1mpg over conventional.
 
580 miles on one tank? :pound:



Yeah, something's off. Maybe your odometer? Or maybe you put some gas in and forgot you did it.

Where did this happen? What was your route? If you only burned 17-something gallons there's no way you went almost 600 miles. Either that or you stopped at some point and put some gas in but didn't reset your trip odometer.

EDITED TO ADD: I wonder if your odometer is showing KMs.

580km x .6 = 348 miles.

348 miles / 17.3 gallons = 19.5 MPG. For a 2wd 4runner driven gently (even with a V8) I can believe that.
 
I can't even get 33 mpg out of my 4 cylinder Honda Accord!

Definitely an error in your calculations unless you are referring to kilometers and not miles.
 
As an engineer...those results mean NOTHING...unless you can repeat it. If you can't then chalk it up to sh*t happens. Write back when you get another tank full at 580 miles.
 
This is why I don't attempt to calculate gas mileage manually. I can do arithmetic as well as the next guy, but there are too many other variables like the ones mentioned above. The "remaining mileage before out of gas" number is helpful and accurate on the dash. MPG calculated by the truck may or may not be correct based on mods, etc. but in the end we all know we're not getting 33 mpg and haven't switched to driving Corollas either.

Bottom line I guess is: why calculate at all?
 
Brazenhead said:
I'm lucky if I can squeeze 220 miles out of a tank.

I'd be able to achieve your kind of fuel economy with a tail wind heading down a hill with the engine shut off!
Click to expand...
yikes. I get just under 300 regularly before fueling up

Paisano said:
This is why I don't attempt to calculate gas mileage manually. I can do arithmetic as well as the next guy, but there are too many other variables like the ones mentioned above. The "remaining mileage before out of gas" number is helpful and accurate on the dash. MPG calculated by the truck may or may not be correct based on mods, etc. but in the end we all know we're not getting 33 mpg and haven't switched to driving Corollas either.

Bottom line I guess is: why calculate at all?
Click to expand...
its good to know what it gets normally, so you can track if there is anything wrong.
also so you can adjust your driving habits accordingly.
 
Paisano said:
Bottom line I guess is: why calculate at all?
Click to expand...

For me it's a habit - I've done it for decades. I also like to know when I will need gas, and when I'm on a long trip, I try to plan my gas stops (to the extent that's possible) so I can fill up in areas where gas is less expensive.

Also, as others have pointed out, a sudden drop in MPG can indicate a problem elsewhere, so I consider it a good part of routine maintenance.
 
Martinjmpr said:
For me it's a habit - I've done it for decades. I also like to know when I will need gas, and when I'm on a long trip, I try to plan my gas stops (to the extent that's possible) so I can fill up in areas where gas is less expensive.

Also, as others have pointed out, a sudden drop in MPG can indicate a problem elsewhere, so I consider it a good part of routine maintenance.
Click to expand...

This is a good point, from you and 2 others. I would probably just trust the onboard numbers for that instead of calculating by hand/calculator/abacus (joking).
 
Martinjmpr said:
EDITED TO ADD: I wonder if your odometer is showing KMs.

580km x .6 = 348 miles.

348 miles / 17.3 gallons = 19.5 MPG. For a 2wd 4runner driven gently (even with a V8) I can believe that.
Click to expand...

I believe that might explain it. I only have half of the interior in the truck (repainting and replacing a lot of parts on it) and I have no way of switching the odometer from displaying KM or Miles, so it may be stuck on KM and I have no idea.

Either or, I do a fair amount of freeway driving, so if I can duplicate my results, I'll post back up, but until then yeah? :)

EDIT: I also thought of this, I only filled up 17.3 gallons but since the tank is 23 gallons, I'm thinking if i really did get (let's say) 22 gallons in because I didn't bother topping it off, that brings my all freeway mileage to 26 mpg. Would make a lot more sense.
 
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