So, I filled just after half way on the gauge and saw
52.8 MPG US = 4.5 L/100 km after 484 km = 300 mi.
The first pleasant surprise from that is when I put the SG in the car, I guesstimated at fuel use calibration, and I guessed too pessimistic. I was actually getting about 7% better MPG than I was seeing.
Nice!
So, where the SG had been showing trips in the low- to mid-50's lately, they were actually more like mid- to upper-50's.
58+ MPG trips recently
The first ~1/3 of the tank distance (the unmodded headwind drive home from my friends' place) was pretty bad, at 43 MPG, corrected.
Second surprise: the remaining 2/3 must have been at
~58 MPG on average for the fill to end at 53. (Distance weighted average.)
Mods added *after* the first 1/3 of this tank:
- tires: increased PSI
- tires: switched to slightly taller front tires on Civic 15" wheels
- wheel discs
- grille block
- hood bug deflector delete
- passenger side mirror delete
- passenger wiper delete
- mudflap delete
- DRL switch
- rear fender skirts
- kammback + tapered side extensions
- air dam
60 MPG possible
All this tells me that in my typical summer usage, and with a few more mods (and a tiny bit of P&G), this car is probably good for the occasional 60 MPG round trip under ideal conditions.
"Typical usage" means driving with cruise control on nearly deserted back roads/scenic routes at or near the posted limit (max limit of 80 km/h = 50 mph, with some sections at 70 km/h = 43). Lots of engine-off coasting to stops & turns, and down some hills.
Unfortunately, I yanked most of the CAD mods off it yesterday - got caught in the rain!
