70 MPG US (3.3 L/100 km) challenge (non-hybrid gasoline and diesel cars)

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I want the hat picture! 70+ MPG tank average this summer or bust, baby.

It looks like you've been close a few times already!
But it wil happen this summer, period. And I hope to join you.

[California98Civic]

Any new winners or legacy winners (from before the contest began) wanna claim the prize?

I am close to done with this tank from March. Currently the Ultra Gauge says 71.1, but I have learned that it can be quite off at times. I would feel safer if it was 71.5+ ....

[Ecky]

I'm actually closing in on it. 2 tanks ago I found my gauge calibration was optimistic (by I think 6-8%?) which was disappointing. However, I changed my oil from 0w30 to 0w20 and filled up with ethanol-free premium, compared with my typical E10, and this morning I peaked around 69mpg at one point in my commute. Given that there's traffic at either end of it, I don't think my commute is where I'll see 70, but I now believe it's possible. I'll check my tire pressure tonight and wax the car.

Surprisingly, I found I had to adjust my fuel trims by a full 5%, even though my math tells me E10 should only be ~3.3% different. It's possible we have more than 10% ethanol in our fuel here.

[PaleMelanesian]

Well, times are strange lately. I'm only at about 50 mpg on this tank, but it's still near Full from early April. I'll take it as a win for "real life".

[funkhoss]

I just filled up this morning. 8.570 gallons over 648.9 miles, for 75.7 MPG.

For us, this is actually pretty bad for this time of year. Our fillups in June of 2019 were:
-6/3/19--93.4 MPG
-6/10/19--84.2 MPG
-6/16/19--82.8 MPG
-6/22/19--85.4 MPG

There were two things that made this tank so much lower. First, and most significantly: our next-door neighbor borrowed this car and drove it to work for three days while her car was in the shop. When we got it back from her, the "previous day" average in the Scangauge was 45.4 MPG!

It just goes to show how much driving technique really does make a difference. On the other hand, her work is only about a 7 mile drive away (a short trip), up and down some pretty steep/mountainous roads (lots of braking). So from that perspective, a "normal" driver getting 45 MPG under those conditions is not too bad.

Second, we've had a lot of rain lately, and have driven several trips in the rain--which always always tends to bring the MPG down.

-Funkhoss

[Ecky]

Gauge read 70.25mpg when I pulled in at home, aimed for 50mpg. Tires are 1.3% larger, so that's 71.16mpg after adjusting. I might have started at a slight elevation advantage. Looks like my engine-off coasting is around 15-20% of miles traveled lately.

[jcp123]

Yep, still just in the 40s. I have some solid segments, though

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Gauge read 70.25mpg when I pulled in at home, aimed for 50mpg. Tires are 1.3% larger, so that's 71.16mpg after adjusting. I might have started at a slight elevation advantage. Looks like my engine-off coasting is around 15-20% of miles traveled lately.

Awesome! Congrats! Way cool accomplishment. I have edited the OP to include your car on the SRA list.

[GreenTDI]

I'm not yet close to a 70 MPG tank. The next one will be a ~65 - would still be an improvement of the previous one ... Did some rides during heavy rain and thunderstorms. And man, they destroy the average consumption in no time!

[jimhs]

Hi ,
I achieved my personal best so far of 70mpg for almost half a tank!!!
Its on ukgallons though.. Does it count?!