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Me, I always use Chevron gas just because it is the most convenient in terms of location. We don't have Sunoco or Gulf in my neck of the woods, but years ago when I would switch between ARCO and Chevron, I always measured an mpg increase with the Chevron gas.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The next tank will tell that story....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The gas I just bought cost $3.61/gallon. Since I was there it has dropped to $3.59. There is no way we will see gas under $3 in California, but I am hoping it gets down close to there. That will be not much above last winter's price trough.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Well, it could happen. Think about it.
Im experimenting with limiting top speed to 35 mph down from 45 mpg. So far (two tanks) mileage is no better. BUT its possible the winter blend of fuel had occured which results in a loss of 4-5 mpg. If it has happened then Im getting 4-5 mpg BETTER than @45 mph. Note that I drive 13.7 miles each day and only about 6 miles of that is spent in 5th gear non stop. So 7 miles of driving hasnt changed at all.
Saw gas for sale at $1.99 gallon today. Not sure thats a good thing...
As far as cheap gas, I just hope that the change in administration will help speed our automakers' conversion to more fuel efficient vehicles, no matter what the cost of gas. I know that Obama plans to reverse the Bush policy blocking the states from setting their own emissions standards. Maybe now the EPA will be allowed to do what it is supposed to do.
One thing he didnt do was mandate an energy policy. Like no cars that dont get at least 35 mpg. No cars like the Prius that just take the money you would have given Exxon and give it to Toyota either. Techno frauds!
In my view, and in the view of the prius owners I know, the prius is not about saving money at the gas pump. Maybe a few people think that is true, but none of the people I know think that they will spend 25000 on that car and end up spending less on transportation than my $4600 echo that averages 46mpg.
What it is about is emissions, and the environment. They can get a nice comfortable family car that gets great mileage and produces drastically fewer pollutants than any other sedan on the market, including the much smaller echo. I can't afford one, and dont need one, but if I had a couple of kids and the money I'd be very happy to buy it.
On another note, I've posted no mpg posts lately because I have moved and am walking to work! Haven't bought a tank of gas since August. The car has been turned over to my wife and she doesnt seem to care about tracking mileage.
As for me, my mileage is running 43-44 mpg right now as it always does in fall and spring. I know I will pay for this in a couple months' time, with lots of tanks around 40 as those cold winter months begin.....
The car is at 108K miles now, still has never needed a repair, the next tuneup is due at 115K. It may need a battery before then - I wonder if having a weak battery (as mine is beginning to have now) impacts gas mileage at all......
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Its easy to CHECK the clearances and not often necessary to perform an ADJUSTMENT. If no adjustment is needed you are merrily off on your way to 120k miles worry free. Its possible to do the adjustment yourself but you better have mechanical knowledge. If you find tight exhaust valves then its got to be done or you will burn the exhaust valves and need a valve job. Better to know!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
$1.65 a gallon today!
My last fill-up was 44 mpg, but now the weather is starting to get colder and I expect those 40 mpg tanks to ensue any day now....don't know how I will handle it being that low, but hey at least the gas is cheap!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Yeah keep the pressure on the oil barons and drive that ECHO!
What should I check next?
I just went to Fort Worth TX from here, St. Paul Minnesota with the Echo, I put 2500 miles on in a 5 day period, I got 42 mpg with various conditions, strong headwinds (35) in Oklahoma, cold temps, snow, and freeway speeds of 73 mph.
I installed a electronic Rostra cruise control on the car, it sure works well and makes the trips much more pleasant to take. I highly recomend them.
I have also noticed a decrease in mpg the last few tankfuls, and I am also in California. I know there is a winter mix for the fuel in this state, which is what I think we are buying now, and with winter fuel you will notice a decrease in mileage. I always do. Between that and the morning temps, which are now close to freezing as opposed to the 40s and 50s we have the rest of the year, my tank-by-tank mpg is running about 3-4 points lower (for me, that means single tank readings of 39-40 mpg) than it was prior to December 1.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I will need to check into the valve clearance issue, I do have a factory manual that is quite comprehensive....I remember seeing something about it in the book. My goal is to get 300K miles out of my ECHO. I need to do more cross-country trips soon. It's hard to do when I am so close to work, only 3 miles one way. I got it for the long weekend trips.
It may be, but I bet the TC is not locked at that speed - the larger heavier Matrix I had wouldn't lock up the TC until 37 mph, so I bet the Echo wouldn't lock up until at least 40 mph or more, with its smaller engine. And if it's slipping, your gas mileage will be less than optimal.....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
But I think Ill try driving 40-45 until the next fillup and see if that helps...
The wife has been driving my old 2001 5 speed to work. My daughters car in in the shop and shes driving the wifes car. The ODO has 190 miles since the last fillup and the gas gauge is well below the half way mark. Probably way less than 35 mpg. I routinely get 35-38 mpg winter driving to work with this car...
Even the brand new Insight, set to release in a couple of months, will only average 41 combined, and that's a hybrid! There's still nothing out there that's gas-only and will beat the fuel economy of the stick shift Echo. :-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As we put winter behind us here, I note with interest that this year I did not have a single individual fill-up under 40 mpg, as far as I can remember. In years past I have always had a sprinkling of 1-tank 39s and even a 38 or two, but not this year. Go Echo go! :shades:
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
You can post the next fill-up too, and we can balance the two - in your case I know it could be a very long time before we hear from you!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Bet I couldn't do better in the new Insight.....
;-)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)