Chevy volt gas only mileage

[19bonestock88]

I’ve got a lot of respect for both the Fusion and Malibu hybrids... both get great MPG(rated) and supposedly aren’t half bad to drive

[ksa8907]

Checking in now after 16,000 miles, roughly 4,500 EV and 11,500 ICE.

I have experimented with fuel a little, I see no benefit with premium or ethanol. Actually a loss of mpg above 2gal e85 per tank of 87 octane. One side note here is that the engine will not hold low speed operation in 85+ degree weather on 87 octane, the timing advance retards to less than 2° btdc.

The grille is also not oversized when temps get over 85F, partial block had to be removed. Below 40F the lower opening can be completely blocked.

Great car, i highly recommend it!

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by ocnorb

Just a comment on Volt gas only mpg. Because I live at high altitude (5000 ft) I decided to try some ethanol free 88 octane gasoline. On longer trips my previous best was 42mpg (gas only).

In November and early December we took the same trip to the in-laws (Thanksgiving and Christmas parties) running the "Clear88 " and it got 46.5mpg each trip. Far and away the best mpg the car has gotten.

Ethanol only makes sense in turbo cars; or when driving in excessive heat.
High elevation also robs some power off the engine, but unless its also hot there, I wouldn't use Ethanol gasoline.

Ethanol somewhat gives a leaner burn, increasing HP and torque minimally.
It also lubricates the top of the cylinders, which gives it higher torque.
On hot days, or with turbos under load, it delays pinging or knocking, due to it's higher octane content.

Nearly All these benefits don't apply if you're living in cold areas with a Naturally aspirated engine, and have a tuned car. Ethanol HP gain due to burning leaner, usually works a bit better on cars that from the factory run too rich.

But for normal cars, they will actually lose MPG, not only from the lower energy density of ethanol, but also due to the slower combustion of higher octane fuel. And unless the engine advances this slow burning fuel, it's going to result in lower MPG, lower performance, and lower efficiency overall.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

I’ve got a lot of respect for both the Fusion and Malibu hybrids... both get great MPG(rated) and supposedly aren’t half bad to drive

I've read the opposite.
The Fusion hybrids are a turd to ride. They have Atkinson 2.0 liter engines, which basically are 1.8 liter engines in almost all aspects (meaning, it has the performance and gas mileage of an 1.8 liter, with slightly more torque so it won't stall at lower RPM).

Both cars don't have electric helper motors.
If the car would use the electric motors to add acceleration torque to the gasoline engine, it would be a fun ride. But alas, it's not.
Just a nice electric motor, pushing a too heavy 3700 lbs body, until the underpowered engine meant for an econo hatchback car, pushes it to highway speeds.
0-60 in 8.7 secs is pretty close to the slowest turds on the road today!

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

The Volt like all Chevy cars is VERY affected by rather small temperature changes.

Folks in downright hot areas, especially at elevation tend to get the optimal gas mpgs from a Volt, those of us in temperature or cool areas get much lower MPGs.

My highest FE was during 90F weather.

Which means a WAI is needed on the Volt

And yes my Insight looses much less FE in the cold than the Volt or even my Cobalt, it’s a damn shame that Chevy, dodge and Ford ignore cold weather operation

I wouldn't say so.
Anything above 80F needs AC.
If you can live without AC, fine. but here in FL, 80F means well over 90 in the car.
And 100F on the road, means near to 140F in the car.
AC uses up nearly 25% of the energy, so, no.
Best areas for the volt, would be 65-75F.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

I've read the opposite.
The Fusion hybrids are a turd to ride. They have Atkinson 2.0 liter engines, which basically are 1.8 liter engines in almost all aspects (meaning, it has the performance and gas mileage of an 1.8 liter, with slightly more torque so it won't stall at lower RPM).

Both cars don't have electric helper motors.
If the car would use the electric motors to add acceleration torque to the gasoline engine, it would be a fun ride. But alas, it's not.
Just a nice electric motor, pushing a too heavy 3700 lbs body, until the underpowered engine meant for an econo hatchback car, pushes it to highway speeds.
0-60 in 8.7 secs is pretty close to the slowest turds on the road today!

That's just, like, your opinion man.

The Fusion Hybrid does 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, which is just a little quicker than the average sedan in the same class. Compare that to the Prius at nearly 10 seconds.

https://www.zeroto60times.com/body-style/green/

...and the car does use the electric motor to assist, which is the whole point of a hybrid.

Rated engine power is 141 horses at 6,000 rpm and 129 pounds-feet torque at 4,000 rpm. The motor contributes 118-horsepower, 177 pounds-feet of torque and the merging of the two is seamless. Total system output of 188 horsepower is routed through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) driving the front wheels.

BTW, I consider any car with a 0-60 time above 3 seconds to be a turd. Sedans aren't meant to be performance oriented race cars, they are meant to be practical and comfortable, which the Fusion has in spades.

You live near Miami?

[ksa8907]

No electric motor... I wonder why they call it a hybrid? Maybe you're just a bit... misinformed.

[roosterk0031]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

But for normal cars, they will actually lose MPG, not only from the lower energy density of ethanol, but also due to the slower combustion of higher octane fuel. And unless the engine advances this slow burning fuel, it's going to result in lower MPG, lower performance, and lower efficiency overall.

They don't always lose MPG, pages 20-21, Camry got it's best MPG on E30,
FFV Impala at E20, Taurus at E30. 3 of 4 cars tested got better MPG with a ethanol blend.

http://www.speedperf6rmanc3.com/cont...evel_Study.pdf

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

I wouldn't say so.
Anything above 80F needs AC.
If you can live without AC, fine. but here in FL, 80F means well over 90 in the car.
And 100F on the road, means near to 140F in the car.
AC uses up nearly 25% of the energy, so, no.
Best areas for the volt, would be 65-75F.

You do know the volt can come with a light interior.

I’ve run without AC up to about 100F, past that I would use AC while the gasser runs

[redpoint5]

Ever been to Florida? Anything above 78 degrees is unbearable due to the humidity. I've sweated my face off at 1am wearing jeans and a tee shirt.

AC not only cools the cabin, but drastically reduces the humidity. I wouldn't consider owning a vehicle without AC in FL.