Broke 50 MPG

[PhotoDu.de]

Originally Posted by STC

Thanks... Going from a Ford Crown Victoria to a Yaris is a major change. You must definitely see the difference in FE. What does a Crown get? 15 MPG? I see a major difference with my change from a Pontiac Sunfire. The Sunfire is said to be good in FE for the 2.2 engine. The Yaris blows the Sunfire away...

Unfortunately, I’m going to be doing a partial fill-up (at little over a half tank) by the 15th of this month. By that time the petroleum suppliers (Altoona, PA pipeline) of two of the last left Non-Ethanol stations in State College area will be converting to Ethanol gas. This is a reality from a law passing in both State Houses and signed by the governor several years ago. Already Philly and Pittsburgh areas/regions had to comply with EPA oxygenated gas standards (Ethanol use) because of their population. Now it is central PA’s turn. They (corporate/government crimeocracy) were pushing for it, and they got it! It just took several years later. The good thing is I can get my last complete fill in mid-October! The other gas station that carries non-ethanol gas will be filling their tank from the Altoona gas line in mid-October. Their tank is full and they expect to fill up then. They will make the necessary filter changes and pump conversion when they run out of the conventional gas.

This is progress for you? Now what are the farmers and small engine customers going to do here in Central PA? They will probably have to be fixing their engines and gas lines more often?

I have never been a fan of ethanol for two reasons:

1)The physical property (chemical chain) of ethanol... alcohol... Short shelf life, creates condensation in gas lines and fixtures, can rust older parts, doesn’t properly lubricate...

2)The inefficiency of how we produce the ethanol.

The higher gas mileage of non-ethanol is a benefit for me. Not much, though!. You only gain approximately 1-3 MPG more using non-ethanol conventional gas.

Cheers!

We give farmers subsidies to grow a lot more corn than we really need. To keep corn prices up, we mandate ethanol production for gasoline.

Also since corn is so cheap, high fructose corn syrup is so cheap that it is cheaper to buy sweet junk food/soda than healthier foods.

If we either got rid of subsidies or subsidies healthy fruits/vegetables, our country would be a lot healthier and our cars would run better. (However some farmers would go under)

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by PhotoDu.de

We give farmers subsidies to grow a lot more corn than we really need. To keep corn prices up, we mandate ethanol production for gasoline.

Also since corn is so cheap, high fructose corn syrup is so cheap that it is cheaper to buy sweet junk food/soda than healthier foods.

If we either got rid of subsidies or subsidies healthy fruits/vegetables, our country would be a lot healthier and our cars would run better. (However some farmers would go under)

Forgot about the popcorn subsidy that movie theaters charge. ;)

[STC]

Originally Posted by PhotoDu.de

We give farmers subsidies to grow a lot more corn than we really need. To keep corn prices up, we mandate ethanol production for gasoline.

Also since corn is so cheap, high fructose corn syrup is so cheap that it is cheaper to buy sweet junk food/soda than healthier foods.

If we either got rid of subsidies or subsidies healthy fruits/vegetables, our country would be a lot healthier and our cars would run better. (However some farmers would go under)

This is correct...

But, "farmers subsities" and "farmers would go under"? You meant "the few agribusiness giants"? The traditional" American farmer had gone under years ago...

I've always respected this article several years back from this highly regarded and reputable research source in Canada...

Global Research:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.p...tionName=about

Article:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.p...xt=va&aid=6933

Cheers!

[PhotoDu.de]

Originally Posted by STC

The traditional" American farmer had gone under years ago...

In general this is true. However, the raise of farmer's markets and similar things have been good for family farms.

[STC]

This morning I filled my tank (56 miles into the 5th bar) at the1/2 tank reading. I generally fill up when the tank is closer to “empty” at the 7th bar (1/4) or the beginning of the last flashing 8th bar (1/8). But, I decided to do a partial fill, to make sure I get the last of the Non-Ethanol gas at the station. Non-Ethanol gas will be phased out later this week or next week at the station I regularly fill-up my car.

I was able to get 53.034 MPG... my highest MPG to date. Although, this was my first partial fill recorded (1/2 bar present with 374 miles traveled) on the tank, it looks like I would have been on the track to break 50 MPG with a complete full fill.

I see from my records that when the bar drops to 1/2 tank (5th bar), I average 289 miles from my fills. When I fill up at the “empty” tank mark, I average 486 miles. Obviously, the gauge properties of the Yaris are that the first half tank you get more miles than the second half tank. Though, the difference after calculating is only 92 miles on average of my fills...

Then hypothetically, even if I filled up the tank when it was “empty” and say getting a very makeable 60 miles for the 6th and 7th bars. The mileage would come out to be an average of 42.857 MPG for those last two bars (120/2.8gallons). With this in mind, a complete full fill would be: 50.142 MPG

Tank total: 494 miles
Fuel used: 9.852 gallons
MPG: 50.142

I think the 42.857 MPG for the last two bars is very maintainable figure for me. I’m confident that I would have broken the 50 MPG barrier if I filled up when the tank was “empty”...

The partial fill that I calculated to 53.034 MPG does not count for my records, since I calculate from full fill-ups.

Cheers!

Actual Partial Fill:
Gas Tank mile increments (non-ethanol gas used):
1st Bar drop (8/8) > 85 mi (85)
2nd Bar drop (7/8) > 87 mi (172)
3rd Bar drop (3/4) > 65 mi (237)
4th Bar drop (5/8) > 81 mi (318)
5th Bar drop (1/2) > 56 mi (374) Note: Bar was still showing
6th Bar drop (3/8) > 0
7th Bar drop (1/4) > 0
8th Bar drop (1/8) > 0

Tank total: 374 miles
Fuel used: 7.052 gallons
MPG: 53.034

[docB]

don't forget that alcohol evaporates readily. As you pump it in you will loose some. That stuff doesn't hold well in the evap canister...more loss.
I had a tank full once w/ the Crown Vic at 21 mpg or so. Not easy to do.

A funny thing about the ethanol for the gasoline...special hybrid corn,needs a petroleum fertilizer. Gov't subsidized but doesn't do much for the world.

[STC]

Originally Posted by docB

don't forget that alcohol evaporates readily. As you pump it in you will loose some. That stuff doesn't hold well in the evap canister...more loss.
I had a tank full once w/ the Crown Vic at 21 mpg or so. Not easy to do.

A funny thing about the ethanol for the gasoline...special hybrid corn,needs a petroleum fertilizer. Gov't subsidized but doesn't do much for the world.

Exactly! I have to remember when pumping ethanol gas to go slow! It is a good practice to always fill up your car early in the morning (daybreak) when the gas station tank is cool over night and to fill up slowly so fumes don't escape. With this in mind, you are loosing less gas to evaporation. It looks like around a little over three weeks till I start using ethanol gas...

Don't get me started with the corporatocracy... that pretty much explains it... the government and the big agribusinesses working together to create a greener world! LOL! Profits baby... profits !!!

Cheers!

[why?]

ooh, sounds like fun! Although i don't think the farmers have anything to do with it, the government and the idiots in hollywood just decided they needed more money for some silly reason, so they gave it to them. Prolly at gunpoint too, like the did to the banks more recently.

[chrisj]

That mpg is starting to sound like my 1981 Starlet! It got 52. Wonder why they stopped making that little fart?

[STC]

Originally Posted by chrisj

That mpg is starting to sound like my 1981 Starlet! It got 52. Wonder why they stopped making that little fart?

Because it got really good gas mileage... LOL!

Actually, subcompacts and HBs got really good gas mileage because there were less EPA regulations back then! Today, car manufactures have to work hard in producing more non-hybrid efficient cars.

Cheers!

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by STC

Because it got really good gas mileage... LOL!

Actually, subcompacts and HBs got really good gas mileage because there were less EPA regulations back then! Today, car manufactures have to work hard in producing more non-hybrid efficient cars.

Cheers!

The lighter weight and smaller size of the cars in the 80s is also a contributing factor. There are people driving Civic VX and Geo Metros that get in the 50s.

[STC]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

The lighter weight and smaller size of the cars in the 80s is also a contributing factor. There are people driving Civic VX and Geo Metros that get in the 50s.

Yeah, I forgot that too! The metal seemed to be cheaper and rust all the time. Remember those Toyota Pick-up trucks?

Cheers!

[why?]

Don't forget the old dodge colt. Could get mid 50's gas mileage, but if you hit a dog, you died.

[STC]

Originally Posted by why?

Don't forget the old dodge colt. Could get mid 50's gas mileage, but if you hit a dog, you died.

I actually had an old Colt (1989)... sixth generation! It was the one with slanted eyes... the Mitsubishi Mirage... 1989-1992. I got mid to upper 40's on mine. I think the fourth and fifth generations you could get well into the 50's... they were more square, though.

Cheers!

[STC]

Earlier this morning I filled up. Came out to 49.842 MPG... No trips, just driving my country roads to work (at small city).

Cheers!

Gas Tank mile increments (non-ethanol gas used):
1st Bar drop (8/8) > 95 mi (95)
2nd Bar drop (7/8) > 73mi (168)
3rd Bar drop (3/4) > 70 mi (238)
4th Bar drop (5/8) > 70 mi (308)
5th Bar drop (1/2) > 50 mi (358)
6th Bar drop (3/8) > 65 mi (423)
7th Bar drop (1/4) > 37 mi (460)
8th Bar drop (1/8) > 0

Tank total: 460 miles
Fuel used: 9.229 gallons
MPG: 49.842

[docB]

Lower air pressure in the rear to help avoid brake lock-up, handle better. I know a few people that had the 1980's Honda CRX. Most claimed 35 or more mpg at 75 mph.
doc

[Idahotom]

I was bragging up my new (to me, '08) Yaris today to a buddy with a Metro, and he at one point said driven hard and loaded with his carpenter tools, (NO hypermile techniques, no scan gauge, regular air pressure in the tires etc) he gets 44 mpg combined. "Yeah, but I got airbags, and it's a Toyota", was my comeback!

I like to think the Yaris is a Metro for the 21 st century, and I mean that as a compliment to the Yaris. A big difference in ride comfort/quality of course, if they had kept making and improving the Metro it'd probably be very like the Yaris is now.

[david058]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

What's the low and the high in your area?

I run my yaris on Vortex and when using cruise control I get 18.2km per litre with a/c on