B13 Sentra SE-R: 52mpg

[Red Lion]

Did some highway driving today, and I filled up before I left Springfield, kept it at 55 the whole way (getting passed by everyone of course), and filled up as soon as I got back home. 1.18 gallons for the 62.4 mile trip = 52.88mpg!

Very happy! No mods except for Sumitomo HTR T4's, over-sized to 175/70/14 (inflated to 46psi) compared to the stock 185/60/14's. I can't wait to do some aero mods to her before my next road trip, see what else I can come up with.


Now I just need to fix some issues and see if I can get the city MPG up a little higher than 22mpg

[AeroModder]

Awesome! but did you remember to check where the needle was on your gauge the last time you filled it, and compensate for the difference after the next fill? The pumps never "click" at the same amount, so if you don't correct for that, it'll either inflate or deflate your numbers. Over a long-term fuel log, you'll get an accurate average by writing down exactly how much was added, but for a single tank, you have to compensate for the amount of fuel between "clicks."

Also, with such a low amount of fuel, it's extremely hard to get an accurate MPG measurement. Just an extra 0.32 gallons to make 1.5 drops it down to 41.6 mpg.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Great job on the MPG's!

[Red Lion]

Originally Posted by AeroModder

Awesome! but did you remember to check where the needle was on your gauge the last time you filled it, and compensate for the difference after the next fill? The pumps never "click" at the same amount, so if you don't correct for that, it'll either inflate or deflate your numbers. Over a long-term fuel log, you'll get an accurate average by writing down exactly how much was added, but for a single tank, you have to compensate for the amount of fuel between "clicks."

Also, with such a low amount of fuel, it's extremely hard to get an accurate MPG measurement. Just an extra 0.32 gallons to make 1.5 drops it down to 41.6 mpg.

It was at the very top of the "E", as it usually is. I'm anal and make sure I fill it the exact same way each time. I do three clicks: the first, fast fill until it clicks, then I ease on the handle and let it flow slow until it clicks again, then one last easy, slow flow for the last click. It doesn't overflow, and always comes out at the very top of the "E".

But I get what you're saying though. I'll be taking a trip in a month where I'll be able to better see what type of MPG I get. I hope it's close to this good if not better!

Originally Posted by Dave's Civic Duty

Great job on the MPG's!

Thanks!

[AeroModder]

Well then, congrats on the hypermiling! Unfortunately, Oregon law restricts people from pumping their own gas, which is quite annoying, so I'm left with playing the guessing game.

[ShadeTreeMech]

You can't pump your own gas in Oregon? Why??

[SentraSE-R]

All Oregon gas stations are full service. They all have attendants who pump your gas for you.

[AeroModder]

Mini-service, actually. They don't wash your windows or check your oil for you. You're just not allowed to touch the pumps. It's sopposed to prevent spillage from overfilling and helping to make sure the vapor doesn't escape because the attendants are sopposed to make sure the cover goes on all the way.

[nissanlover90]

Originally Posted by Red Lion

Did some highway driving today, and I filled up before I left Springfield, kept it at 55 the whole way (getting passed by everyone of course), and filled up as soon as I got back home. 1.18 gallons for the 62.4 mile trip = 52.88mpg!

Very happy! No mods except for Sumitomo HTR T4's, over-sized to 175/70/14 (inflated to 46psi) compared to the stock 185/60/14's. I can't wait to do some aero mods to her before my next road trip, see what else I can come up with.


Now I just need to fix some issues and see if I can get the city MPG up a little higher than 22mpg

you actually under sized and way overinflated which leads to aggressive tire wear try 195/50r14 @ 35psi but other than that congrats on the awesome mpg

[Red Lion]

Thanks for the congrats man! But, I'm gonna have to debate here


The tires are oversized in terms of being a taller tire (larger diameter)
185/60/14 = 22.7"
175/70/14 = 23.6"
Taller tire = more distance covered per rotation, and better MPG. That's why we inflate as much as we do; and 48psi (which is what I'm at now) is still under the max recommended pressure of 51psi. Believe me, it's okay, everyone on here does it and we don't get bad tire wear. Hell some guys go over the recommended pressure!

Welcome to the site man! It's a great place to learn but you definitely see some surprising stuff here that's contrary to what you used to think about cars, aerodynamics, tires and fuel economy. I'm still getting used to a lot of it!


Gonna take another trip soon, upstate a bit, we'll see if my 52mpg was just a fluke or not, I'm hoping NOT!