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Ok, here it is...
I started working on the car on 5/01/14 and finished working on it 5/10/14.
Then left on 5/11/14 (Mother Day) to go on my annual fishing trip to Niagara Falls N.Y.
Leaving on Mothers Day was definitely not my first choice.
However, I was 3 days late leaving as it was.
(the project took longer than expected)
So, 9:00 am, I get on the Interstate heading North. Traffic is bumper to bumper running 70-80 mph plus . In this first leg of the trip there be no fooling around. Just fall in with the pack and go. I was pleased to see the mpguino showing low to mid 70's mpg as I passed into N.C. Once I was on the other side of Charlotte the traffic subsided a little and I was able to glide. The car truly glides effortlessly now. Slopes that I would light foot on the way down now get no foot. Regular down slopes now accelerate sooner and last longer. As I entered Va. the mpguino was reading mid to upper 70's and climbing. Leaving Va. and going into W.V. the mpguino was reading 79 mpg and still climbing. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. When it hit 80 mpg I let out a big "whoop". Looking up again, it was just in time to see my exit go by. So, instead of going to the next exit (7 miles) and turning around and coming back (7 miles). I just took a different route instead.
Charleston W.V. here I come.
When I reached Pittsburgh P.A. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to see if the mpguino was accurate so I pulled into a gas station.
698.75 miles
8.58 gals.
81.44 mpg
Considering I drove faster than ever before in this car, I was "ecstatic" to say the least with the mpg.
From Pittsburgh to Niagara Falls, I pulsed and glided on every little hill and as close the posted speed limit as possible.
218.22 miles
2.54 gal.
85.91 mpg
Wow...
Now, I probably had a little tail wind the last 60 miles or so but still. Wow...
While there, I drove the car to visit friends, family and other various local places. Short trips with lots of signal lights. While there I installed a cheap Tach + Hour meter.
127.92 miles
2.19 gal.
58.41 mpg
1.5 hrs. engine on time
After being on vacation for 3 weeks.
It was finally time to go home.
On the way back, there was a additional 200lbs. of weight in the car.The extra weight affected the fuel mileage as the car had to work harder climbing the hills.
I didn't baby it, driving posted speed limits when possible. However, W.V. has some hills that knock the crap out of it. Climbing at only 40 mph or less sometimes. (remember this car only has 55hp and 55ft.lbs. of torque)
But then again, it goes like hell down the back side.
Totals for the return trip
875.05 miles
11.18 gal.
78.27 mpg
12.9 hrs. engine run time
Map Quest said it should take 13.2 hrs. to complete the trip. I assume that is at the posted speed limits. Add the EOC time it would probably equal out.
That would be 78.27 mpg at the posted speed limit... Awesome...
**Disclaimer**
I put new tires on and had a alignment before this trip. I also replaced a brake drum and turned the other. I either have a front wheel bearing or cv joint going bad or both. Also, my check engine light came on, on the way home. I think it may be the 02 sensor.
What effect these things had on the above mileage (good or bad) is unknown.
I just want to put these things out there, as I don't want to mislead anyone.
Also, there is a small but significant mileage discrepancy between MapQuest, TomTom and the cars odometer. I will address this in a different thread.
Overall though, I would call it a "aerodynamic success".
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