fuel tank capacity/mpg measurement

[amalik]

hey guys,

i'm trying to measure my MPG based on just driven highway miles.

I wanted to keep it simple and just measure from the time i'm completely full to the time I have the orange fill light, but I want to know if this is accurate or not.

the owners manual says the tank capacity is 18.5 gallons. The pump at the station never fills more than 14 gallons when I fill after a light (Although the fill sometimes variates between 14.5-14.8 gallons before clicking), so I'm assuming between full and the orange light is the 14.x gallon amount, leaving ~4 more gallons after the light left in the tank.

is this accurate? I would ideally like to do one measurement until I'm out of gas completely to get the most accurate picture, but even if I had spare fuel in the trunk, I don't think it's a good idea and I know it's bad on the fuel pump.

 

[cyclops13]

1. Fill up
2. Set trip meter to 0
3. Drive
4. Fill up (prefer the same pump)
5. Divide the trip meter reading by gallons
6. Wonder how low/high you get

:driving:

 

[amalik]

yea i've done that, get some different results each time, which is why i think something funky going on. ill try to use the same pump next time, thanks.

 

[jgue467]

just like

cyclops said. Use your trip meter. I've learned on my rig, there are about 2.5 gallons (or less) left when my fuel light comes on. So i don't go more than about 35 miles with thing on if i know what's good for me. Don't drive till it runs out, you won't learn much more than refilling about when the light comes on. Let us know what ya get. I get anywhere from 16 to high 19s depending on whether i'm toying the quads or mostly highway driving it. No worse than my gfs bmw, my old porsche or acura rl. Not bad for a 4wd rig! :reddance: