Anyone gets >40mpg consistently in his/her xb?

[ROFL Box]

took this while i was on my little trip yesterday

[xbUser]

Rofl Box, is driving 55mph safe in your area? I am driving 60mph and not feeling safe already. This weekend, I feel other cars driving slower, which is good for me. Most cars are still driving 65mph, and some 60mph, like me. Last week, I was the only one driving 60mph, and others at 70mph.
By the way, I've got the best mpg in this tank. Is costco's gas better than valero? I've got 41mpg!!! 40+ 3 tanks in a roll!!!
Thank you for everybody's help. My mpg increases from 38mpg to 41mpg in one month.
My mpg improvement history:
70mph -> 65mph, 10W30 -> 5W30, 35psi -> 40psi = 35mpg -> 38mpg
40psi -> 44psi, upper grille block = 38mpg -> 39mpg
65mph -> 60mph, shift < 3k rpm, = 39mpg -> 40mpg
Switch to synthetic transmission oil = 40mpg -> 41mpg

Now, my next goal is 45mpg. What is my next mod suggestion? Scanguage? belly pan? I am sure that will help, but I am not sure if that will have 4mpg improvement.

[azraelswrd]

You may also want to find out how much ethanol is in the gas before you pump. Thanks to the fine folks at CleanMPG for making me more aware of it -- I had to ask the clerk how much ethanol was in my gas and it was 5.79%. But I like this station (fair prices, good service, close to home/on way to work) so I'll stick with it. Could be worse... could be 10% ethanol!!!

This could also be why you seem to be getting better results at one station over another... just something to keep in mind.

As for improvements, I recommend scangauge then belly pan. With the SG, you can actually improve your FE while driving or mods at that moment instead of waiting for a tank reload. Rear wheel skirts could also be on your shopping list of things to do in the future as well.

55mph may be fine for ROFLBOX -- he did say he was in BFE Iowa... which sounds like less traffic than what you may encounter. I can go 55mph on the highway around here as well but I have to be very strategic about it. That's why I prefer the intrastate side roads to get to work. There I can hover around 45mph and maximize those miles before I take the FE hits once I enter the city and all those red lights.

[Z man]

Originally Posted by xbUser

Rofl Box, is driving 55mph safe in your area? I am driving 60mph and not feeling safe already. This weekend, I feel other cars driving slower, which is good for me. Most cars are still driving 65mph, and some 60mph, like me. Last week, I was the only one driving 60mph, and others at 70mph.
By the way, I've got the best mpg in this tank. Is costco's gas better than valero? I've got 41mpg!!! 40+ 3 tanks in a roll!!!
Thank you for everybody's help. My mpg increases from 38mpg to 41mpg in one month.
My mpg improvement history:
70mph -> 65mph, 10W30 -> 5W30, 35psi -> 40psi = 35mpg -> 38mpg
40psi -> 44psi, upper grille block = 38mpg -> 39mpg
65mph -> 60mph, shift < 3k rpm, = 39mpg -> 40mpg
Switch to synthetic transmission oil = 40mpg -> 41mpg

Now, my next goal is 45mpg. What is my next mod suggestion? Scanguage? belly pan? I am sure that will help, but I am not sure if that will have 4mpg improvement.

You have changed a lot of things for your box!
Nice improvement, it takes lots of willpower.
Scangauge.

[xbUser]

The gas pump doesn't indicate how much ethanol it has. The clerk knows nothing, too. Any way to tell % of ethanol? Is Chevron and Shell better? I notice Chevron gas gives my xB better mpg when the car is getting old. (no difference when it is new) However, the price is more than 2.5% and far away from my home. Shell is even more expensive (4%) in my area.... Not that cost effective.

So far, my mod costs almost no money except transmission fluid. That is maintenance cost. I agree SG can improve my FE, especially when I drive in city and accelerate. Highway cruising has nothing to change since I can't drive slower and I drive 80% highway. So, I expect SG will bring me another 1 or 2mpg. Besides FE improvement, SG can help me to monitor coolant temperature, so I can fine tune the grille block. It also tells me if any sudden mpg drop happened. I know it is a great investment. I will buy one after someone rent my house Hey, Zman, have you bought one yet? Also, congratulation for the good last 3 tanks!! What have you done besides changing the lighter rim?

Next tank will be filled up on Friday. I hope getting better result since more highway driving in the week days.

[Z man]

Originally Posted by xbUser

The gas pump doesn't indicate how much ethanol it has. The clerk knows nothing, too. Any way to tell % of ethanol? Is Chevron and Shell better? I notice Chevron gas gives my xB better mpg when the car is getting old. (no difference when it is new) However, the price is more than 2.5% and far away from my home. Shell is even more expensive (4%) in my area.... Not that cost effective.

So far, my mod costs almost no money except transmission fluid. That is maintenance cost. I agree SG can improve my FE, especially when I drive in city and accelerate. Highway cruising has nothing to change since I can't drive slower and I drive 80% highway. So, I expect SG will bring me another 1 or 2mpg. Besides FE improvement, SG can help me to monitor coolant temperature, so I can fine tune the grille block. It also tells me if any sudden mpg drop happened. I know it is a great investment. I will buy one after someone rent my house Hey, Zman, have you bought one yet? Also, congratulation for the good last 3 tanks!! What have you done besides changing the lighter rim?

Next tank will be filled up on Friday. I hope getting better result since more highway driving in the week days.

I haven't bought a SG yet, and I have no aero mods. I imagine new oil and a better fluid could help. My commutes has no interstate driving, and a little highway.

I would like a tasteful looking upper grille block (not tape), but haven't thought about how to do it.

I do have a K&n CAI, I have no idea what it does besides make a good sound.

[xbUser]

For the grille block, I am thinking about window screen. I've heard screen works pretty good in another thread. It blocks air in high speed and allows cooling in traffic.

What speed are you driving in highway? 55mph?

[Z man]

Originally Posted by xbUser

For the grille block, I am thinking about window screen. I've heard screen works pretty good in another thread. It blocks air in high speed and allows cooling in traffic.

What speed are you driving in highway? 55mph?

Would you place a block on the inside of the grille to keep the stock look?

I try to drive between 40 and 55 most of the time, sometimes I may go a little fast through town because I have to coax the transmission into fourth gear,
(40mph, 1800rpms).

[azraelswrd]

Originally Posted by xbUser

The gas pump doesn't indicate how much ethanol it has. The clerk knows nothing, too. Any way to tell % of ethanol? Is Chevron and Shell better? I notice Chevron gas gives my xB better mpg when the car is getting old. (no difference when it is new) However, the price is more than 2.5% and far away from my home. Shell is even more expensive (4%) in my area.... Not that cost effective.

You'll have to be more insistent and patient/courteous with the clerk because they should have that info when the tankers make their delivery. I lucked out and the clerk had the clipboard with all of that info nearby so he could flip right to it. But yes, he had no clue either at first and admitted he never even thought about ethanol content in gas (and I suspect A LOT of drivers don't either...). I also gassed up the Scion at 10:30pm with no business so it wasn't a major impediment from his routine.

All gas in California has it. It's just a matter of how much -- that's the million dollar question.

[xbUser]

Zman,
Blocking behind the grille looks nice, but I can't reach the inside mid grille. Lower one is easy. So, I probably put it outside instead. Since it is not reflective, it is not easy to see. Still a plan, I will do it after buying scangauge. Now, I have nothing to monitor water temp yet.

Also, why ethanol is added in gas? Any help in emission?