5 Bars Left and 300 miles!

[aclark246]

I'm not sure what this means yet in terms of MPGs, but Before the 4th bar disappeared I hit the 300 mile mark. That bar usually disappears around 280 miles for me. It did go soon after though.

EDIT: oh yeah, and this was all on my normal commute as well

[AlainMikli]

I never try more than 280mile with a full tank:cry::frown::cry::frown:

[The little red pill]

Wow. I have 250 miles and only 2 bars left. Anything over 30mpg and I'm a happy camper.

[Pitt Yaris]

How is that possible? Most I've gotten was about 410 on a completely full tank. *41mpg*

[yaris-me]

Amazing!:smile:

[ezhacker1]

I never try more than 280mile with a full tank:cry::frown::cry::frown:

well i bet with a modded car like yours, i wouldnt drive eco friendly either hehe.

[Forrest]

Good for you ! It is always nice to see someone getting good mileage. The bars, however, do not yield the same amount of miles per bar and I have found the more miles on a tank, the faster the bars disappear ! I only use the bars as a reminder when it is time to fill up.

I no longer try figuring out my miles per gallon when I fill up., I know I go a long time between fill up and that's what I want.

[MadMax]

To be honest, I am suspicious (not saying it isn't true, I'm just suspicous) as given that burn rate he would be getting at least 600 miles to the tank and that would be around 55 MPG.

Given that would be 10 MPG over his average, I would not be readily able to accept this claim without more substantial evidence!

Nothing personal, I know hypermilers can wring some mileage out of a tank of gas, but a 20% increase over your average requires some specific explanation...

[IllusionX]

I've seen this happen to me before. But i still end up doing something around 39MPG.

[aclark246]

To be honest, I am suspicious (not saying it isn't true, I'm just suspicous) as given that burn rate he would be getting at least 600 miles to the tank and that would be around 55 MPG.

Given that would be 10 MPG over his average, I would not be readily able to accept this claim without more substantial evidence!

Nothing personal, I know hypermilers can wring some mileage out of a tank of gas, but a 20% increase over your average requires some specific explanation...

That is why I am excited!

I had heard about people pulling it off before, which is why I was sure to take a picture once I hit it (at a stop light of course.)

While yes my average is 44 mpg for the past 90 or so days, I did make 49 a few tanks back, and a 48 that I haven't posted in my gas log yet, and it hasn't rained as much this week. (Any one else from the New England hate this rain?!)

I also understand that the "fuel bars" are not scientific, but after driving the car for over a year you get used to about how many miles each bar will give. Key word is "about." I don't plan on seeing 600 miles this tank, or even 500. I do expect at least 450 though, and I have already done a 460 tank with over a gallon left in the tank. Having four bars left is in no way having half a tank left. As someone mentioned, those last four drop way too quickly. But as a gauge of how well I am doing on the tank, on my average tank at this point I am around 270-280 miles, not 300. So unless someone snuck in to my car and put some gas in (maybe the Sunoco Fairy) the picture is accurate as I described.

If you can think of another way for me to make you less suspicious just let me know. I AM NOT CLAIMING however, to have made any MPG records. All I am saying is that with 5 bars remaining, I had 300 miles. Yes, at 302 that bar disappeared. Yes, it could be a fluke of the sensors. Regardless, I am excited to see if it wasn't a fluke :smile:

I know my word might not mean much to you, but if it is any consolation, I take this stuff a little to seriously than I should, and I wouldn't joke about something like this- as insignificant as it might turn out to be.

[aclark246]

I've seen this happen to me before. But i still end up doing something around 39MPG.

so mine is probably a fluke of the sensors then. I can still have my dreams though :biggrin:

[Phaeton]

I normally get 440-450 miles per tank it's not that unbelievable.

[MadMax]

If you do take this seriously, then I would recommend getting a ScanGauge II or other similar device which will provide you much more accurate information than you are getting from your stock instruments. Heck, just your speedometer error can be as much as 3-5% high and if you haven't checked it against a GPS then you are already reporting inaccurate figures.

But heck, I hope it does turn out to be true! I am happy with my 37 MPG average that I have been getting for the past four tanks (no ScanGauge, but I have checked my speedo against a GPS and it is almost spot on with my larger tires). I don't mean to be negative, I love good fuel effficiency but I don't go to such extremes as some of the hypermilers on here. I simply drive my Yaris gently and for an auto with larger/wider tires on it, I couldn't be happier!

Oh, and I can "squeeze" 420 miles out of a tank if I push it; but I have never seen 300 miles out of the top three bars! I usually get 50 miles out of each bar, but the first bar will go as far as 60-75 miles before disappearing and it seems like the last bars disappear quickly!

[MadMax]

I normally get 440-450 miles per tank it's not that unbelievable.

450 miles / 11 gallons still only equates to 40 MPG.

54 MPG is a totally different ballgame!

[MadMax]

Whoops, one more comment! Those in New England who are tired of all the rain can feel free to send some of it our way! Southcentral Texas is currently less than a foot away from being in Stage 3 water restrictions! Some of which are:


- Landscape watering allowed only EVERY OTHER WEEK with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose. Weeks when no watering is allowed will be announced via local media and online.

- Landscape watering is allowed only from 3-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. on your designated watering day, as determined by your address.

- Use of fountains, waterfalls, or other aesthetic water features — outdoors or indoors — is prohibited, unless a variance has been granted for 100 percent non-potable water use.

- All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used for this purpose.

- Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions may be requested from SAWS in writing.

- Residential washing of vehicles or other equipment only on assigned watering days/times. No street runoff allowed.

- Hotels, motels and other lodging must limit linen/towel changes to once every three nights, except for health and safety.


:eek: :eek: :eek:

[TinyGiant]

it just stopped raining yesterday . last month it rained like 26 days of the month

[aclark246]

Technically speaking, the 300 miles was out of the first four bars, seeing as that bar disappeared at 302 miles, not the three, but now I'm just nit picking.

I wish we could send some rain over there, it has been a wash of a summer here. They say this has been the second wettest summer we have had since they have been keeping records. At least it cleared up for Independence day :)


EDIT: oh and I have checked my speedo against a GPS and it is accurate, so we are good to go. I understand what you are saying about "squeezing" the gas completely. It really isn't "necessary" for me, seeing as my girlfriend doesn't hypermile in her yaris and still averages 40 mpg driving with a feather foot in the summer and 34 mpg in the winter months (cold and snow.) I just like the sport of it. The tank where I didn't do any extra "tricks" I managed 46 mpg this summer, but I also have a 90% highway, little traffic commute so I am extremely lucky there I guess. That is also why I don't have a scangauge yet. I really want one but have not been able to justify getting one yet because I won't really increase my FE by a substantial amount. I just want the tach and code reading capabilities. Maybe later this summer if I can save up a few pennies.

[TinyGiant]

i'm a landscaper i've only been able to work like 2 days a week. times are tough enough without all this rain.. glad its gone.

[TLyttle]

Careful!! I was a happy camper with 5 bars showing up at 400 miles, then ran out of gas shortly after. Apparently, the float hangs up ie, the gauge lies to you. I had the tank unit replaced, and it was fine for awhile, but is now lying to me again.

NEVER depend on the gauge, ONLY on your odometer!

[Woody_Woodchuck]

I commute about 300 miles a week and fill up every Friday regardless of how much gas the gauge shows. I’m not a big watcher of the gauge, how many bars are gone can vary because of a number of things. If you have a great high mileage day or two that first bar can last a long time and even make the second bar last forever too!

Sounds like you are doing great in the mileage department! That magic 50 mpg tank is just around the corner for you. Then comes the 55 mpg tank, then the 60 mpg tank…

I recommend getting the scan gauge also if you are really into getting the most out of your Yaris, in high mileage that is. I would be nowhere near the illusive 60 mpg fill up without it. On the other hand, folks like Voodoo22 have made higher mileage tanks than I have without one. For me, it is the tool that helped me get to where I am and it has saved me more then enough in gas $ to pay for itself in less than a year.

[Yaris Hilton]

If you want to mess with him, go by and pour a couple of gallons of gas in his tank now and then. :biggrin:

[Cosworth]

Awesome! It'll be interesting to see your mpg when you fill up!

I drove ~330 mi over the weekend and ended up getting 44.8mpg. (First 20 miles driven like I stole the car... as I was late to an appointment.)

Keep it up!! These cars are great!

-SC

[Altitude]

If you want to mess with him, go by and pour a couple of gallons of gas in his tank now and then. :biggrin:

:laughabove:

When I hit 350 miles it's time to fill up.

As far as I can tell I average 36mpg around town. There are some hills around here that prevent me from getting much better as I routinely have to take them whenever I go to the store etc. I recently took a long road trip - 3600 miles - and suprisingly averaged 34mpg with 90% 75mph and a/c on. Not bad as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to see 40mpg someday but I don't know if it's possible with the terrain where I live.

[aclark246]

If you want to mess with him, go by and pour a couple of gallons of gas in his tank now and then. :biggrin:
:bellyroll:

[CKaelin]

Was just checking out your Gassavers aclark246! Impressive numbers!

[daf62757]

:laughabove:

When I hit 350 miles it's time to fill up.

As far as I can tell I average 36mpg around town. There are some hills around here that prevent me from getting much better as I routinely have to take them whenever I go to the store etc. I recently took a long road trip - 3600 miles - and suprisingly averaged 34mpg with 90% 75mph and a/c on. Not bad as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to see 40mpg someday but I don't know if it's possible with the terrain where I live.


I have a few hills around my neck of the woods. I just got an ecometer and you quickly learn that you can go up hills with minimal effort. The gauge lets you go light on the pedal and still maintain speed up the hill. I just filled up today and my around town MPG was 38.1. That is up from the 31 MPG I was getting before I got the ecogauge.

[daf62757]

If you want to mess with him, go by and pour a couple of gallons of gas in his tank now and then. :biggrin:

Wasn't that on a Gomer Pyle episode?

[YarisOwnersDad]

Let us know how that tank turned out. The suspense is killing me.

[deerebilt]

filled up today 470 mi 2 bars left. 50.06 mpg..last 5 tanks have been 50+ 2 of those tanks 52 mpg....2008 sedan s 5sp 25000k mi no mods. im lovin it.

[Aothachos]

most miles i have reached on a full tank is like 350 max about right, but 300 with only 3 bars gone is crazy O.o

[Just Do It]

wow, this is great news. The Yaris seems to be getting even better numbers that it states which isn't common. You usually find cars get less than they state. Sweeeet!

[Cosworth]

filled up today 470 mi 2 bars left. 50.06 mpg..last 5 tanks have been 50+ 2 of those tanks 52 mpg....2008 sedan s 5sp 25000k mi no mods. im lovin it.

Great numbers! :thumbup:

I've hit a couple of 50+ in the last two months. I am guessing that you must do a lot of highway traveling like I do.

[jambo101]

Sure that car isnt imported from Canada and is actually giving a read out in kilometers:wink:
Seriously well done to those breaking 50mpg,got any tips for us wannabe hypermilers? best i can get is 47mpg and that was on a trip back from Boston. highest miles on a tank 470 miles.

[aclark246]

Congrats to you guys breaking 50 mpg!

I filled up this morning....

48.6 mpg.

I think I would have pulled off 50, but the last few bars saw intense traffic, and a lot more city driving than usual, (I got lost somewhere in south boston... terrifying... there was a woman roped to the top of a car screaming while the driver was running away from the cops...whole other story though...)

So yeah I think the 300 miles meant something, but i just ruined it later in the tank.


Still, I am excited for 48 haha

[Cosworth]

I filled up this morning....

48.6 mpg.

Still, I am excited for 48 haha

:thumbup::thumbup: That's a great number! Surely beats the estimated 36 hwy mpg! :w00t:

[YarisOwnersDad]

Congrats to you guys breaking 50 mpg!

I filled up this morning....

48.6 mpg.

I think I would have pulled off 50, but the last few bars saw intense traffic, and a lot more city driving than usual, (I got lost somewhere in south boston... terrifying... there was a woman roped to the top of a car screaming while the driver was running away from the cops...whole other story though...)

So yeah I think the 300 miles meant something, but i just ruined it later in the tank.


Still, I am excited for 48 haha

That was a great tank of gas! Thanks for sharing.

Tom

[Altitude]

I have a few hills around my neck of the woods. I just got an ecometer and you quickly learn that you can go up hills with minimal effort. The gauge lets you go light on the pedal and still maintain speed up the hill. I just filled up today and my around town MPG was 38.1. That is up from the 31 MPG I was getting before I got the ecogauge.

I have a scanguage2 so I do watch the MPG/TPS values quite a lot. There have been *days* where I can get over 40mpg, but never averaged over a tank. I think a combination of hills and thinner atmosphere are just too much to overcome for me.

I did notice when I was visiting family in Maryland that my mileage improved quite a bit so I think MPG's in this car (and all others for that matter) are highly dependant upon where it is driven. I'm thinking people with stellar MPGS numbers must live in generally flat, low altitude areas.

[Woody_Woodchuck]

Yes, terrain does make a difference but not as much as I originally thought. I live in central NC, we have rolling small hills with some being fairly steep and short. Lots of ups and downs on the smaller roads and loooong gradual uphill and down hill sections on the highways. No, they aren’t Colorado Rockies but they are all we have. Remember, you might drive all uphill to get somewhere but it is all downhill back to where you started!

Using the SG2 gauges, the average uphill highway sections take 35 impg (30 to 40 impg - current miles per gallon) to climb. On the back roads it will read 25 impg to get up and over them. Not exactly horrible numbers but when you maintain them for a mile or more it really eats into the trip mpg. You can up them a little by doing the roller coaster thing. Gain momentum on the down hills and lose it going up. I was averaging tanks in the lower 40’s for mpg until I mastered this.

Being as light as possible on the gas really comes into play while using this technique. Try driving along on the flats and sloooowly let up on the gas, a fraction at a time. You will find a small ‘sweet spot’ where you can maintain speed using very little pressure and therefore gas. Accelerating has the same sweet spot. If you want to accelerate don’t just mash down on the skinny pedal, gently press a little at a time. It takes a second or two after each increment to tell if it will accelerate enough for you or not, it is not an instant burst of power. After a while your foot will automatically know how much pressure to give the gas to accelerate for the given situation.

Better mileage isn’t really just one thing, it is combining many little things that all add up to big savings.

[aclark246]

Better mileage isn’t really just one thing, it is combining many little things that all add up to big savings.

EXACTLY!

When I'm running late for work I can still drive 65-70 mph (as opposed to my normal 50-55 mph) and not kill my FE because of all of the other techniques.

The number one technique has to be driving with a feather-foot though. Just by letting up on the accelerator a tad saves loads of gas, and accelerating more slowly does as well I have found. (but I'm just repeating what we all know anyway... preaching to the choir I suppose haha)

Once again, I think we all deserve a round of applause for utterly destroying the EPA estimates! :thumbup: