$ The Nation Fuel Cost, and VX MPG Record Thread. $

[VX KAT]

I've been keeping track of my MPG for years and years...I mean like 20+ years....don't know why, just keep doing it...put me in the neurotic category I guess... I don't do it to change my driving habits to max MPG, or anything like that...I just keep recording it cuz I'm curious.

I got 21 or 22 twice, all stock, all highway driving (actually it was driving to Moab 2009 and then driving to New Mexico to meet up with some other Moab-bound VXer, and then drive up to Moab.

Seriously, I do remember there was a tremendous (I mean MEAN) tail wind on the NM trip...it just HAD to have an affect, cuz I had skids, roof rack, f/s spare in basket...and of course I did factor in the adjustment for my larger tires.

So I know it's "possible" but extremely unlikely to hit the 20s for anything but a stocker w/o sticky rubber. I also believe the summer/winter gas formulation has a tremendous impact on it (in places where that exists). When I lived in LA the winter gas (pretty sure it was the winter formula) dropped my MPG by at least 10%...booo!!! So maybe some of that issue is affecting MPG on some VXers?

Some here mentioned they had some increase in MPG when they used Premium all the time.....so I tried that for a while...like 13 months!....didn't see much difference and went back to regular.

[twalker920]

Some here mentioned they had some increase in MPG when they used Premium all the time.....so I tried that for a while...like 13 months!....didn't see much difference and went back to regular.

Premium has VERY little to do with efficiency or power. Anyone interested should read this article from a recent issue of Road & Track:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-new...m-fuel-futures

I am especially glad he says "In fact, depending on its blending, a premium fuel may actually contain less energy per unit volume than regular."

More Octane does not equal more power. Use the mfg's recommended grade. That's all. The only other significant difference is how much non-gasoline is in your premium gas. More super detergents in the premium fuels actually means less real gas per gallon...

I put regular in my VX and Triumph bike, as recommended by Triumph.

The only exception to this is one gas station near me that sells premium with ZERO ethanol during the summer (as opposed to 10% at all other stations). That can make a difference in power and efficiency since ethanol has a lower energy content than normal gasoline. But it's spendy stuff - usually 30 cents higher than I pay for regular. I have only ever put it in my bike and gotten an extra 40 miles out of a tank (before the light came on - I kept waiting, and waiting, and riding really slowly).

[VX KAT]

thanks tw....great info!

Dang, can't find the thread about Premium yielding greater MPG...I recall somebody had done a pretty long term test and was posting the results that supported it.
But.......... along the way I decided to capture many MPG/Premium fuel threads and discussions to put in my reference file.


Here's the MPG/Premium references I grouped:


Octane and premium discussion from 2009:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium


MPG / AWD/ locking hubs/manual hubs from 2009
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium


MPG / Premium discussion from 2008:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&postcount=104


MPG and altitude, from 2008:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&postcount=107


Can MPG be increased, Rolling resistance, tire size , PSI, from 2007:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium


Actual MPG obtained - discussion on what mods affect it, from 2007:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium


Here's an older thread discussing MPG from many original owners, or very early owners, from 2005.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ats+VX+mileage


Octane- older discussion & POLL from 2004
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium


Any tips for increasing MPG, from 2004:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ht=mpg+premium



FUELLY
Website where you track your MPG:
www.fuelly.com


GASBUDDY.COM
Helps find lowest price gasoline in area
Nationwide maps, tips,.
http://gasbuddy.com/