Author Topic: Death to "distance per tankful" (Read 4315 times)

JohnM · « **on:** February 22, 2006, 03:54:29 pm »

Thank God someone pointed out that distance per tankful is a useless indicator!! Fuel computers should be standard equipment of every car sold.

I am also amazed the Civics mileage is so poor. If I got this kind of mileage on a new standard Civic, I'd be extremely upset.

I own a 2001 Suzuki Esteem wagon which is probably 10 to 20% less fuel efficient than a Civic. I have never had consumption over 8L/100km. In the worst winter conditions I see highs of 7.6 or 7.8. Maybe if you were stuck in traffic for 4 hours a single tank could go to 8.4 on the Civic Hybrid but certainly not over 1900km.

Something must be wrong.

John M.

ps When are they coming out with a hybrid Fit? I have the deposit ready and waiting.

airbalancer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2006, 03:56:03 pm »

Really who cares, if you need gas just buy some.

mrthompson · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2006, 03:57:42 pm »

...says the guy with the BMW in the driveway.

airbalancer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:03:27 pm »

Quote from: mrthompson on February 22, 2006, 03:57:42 pm

...says the guy with the BMW in the driveway.

The BMW was less then the truck.
The truck is the pig, but I got to get to the job site.
Also GMC is not as bad as a Hemi Ram. I have friend who does about 300 kms a day and cost about $70 a day.
The job should last a couple of months.

ovr50 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:03:50 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on February 22, 2006, 03:56:03 pm

Really who cares, if you need gas just buy some.

Much ado about nothing IMO.

AVToller · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:08:25 pm »

Seriously, mileage is obviously very dependent on the type of driving you do, JohnM. When I lived in Black Creek and drove 30 km into town regularly, I averaged in the 7.2-7.6 range with my Escort. Moving to Port Alberni where most of my driving was short distance (less than 8 km) and the terrain is hilly, the same car got 10.5-12 L/100km.

safristi · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2006, 04:31:08 pm »

Which just goes ta PROVE......BLACK's .....c**Kks are BIGGER than ALBINO's ......Black CREEKS mileages that IS!!!!

$:-\$

Prius · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 12:17:03 am »

Yeah, how many kms per tank or how many weeks before you refuel isn't exactly the best way of measuring things. My friends always tell me they refuel as often as I do (every 2 weeks) but I travel 700kms in those two weeks and they barely get 450kms with 1.5x as much fuel

Snowman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2006, 07:50:05 am »

Clearly you people have never lived in Northern Canada where the distance ranges of you vehicles fuel capacity is something you take into consideration when embarking on long trips.

When going on fishing, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, or ATVing we had to bring extra fuel with us to ensure the return trip. While driving in Northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario one would have to ensure the fuel stations were actually open. This was critical if you were on a long trip and part of the drive was at night. Some stations on remote highways close early and you could be SOL.

I remember last year when visiting Manitouwadge I left late on Sunday and all the stations were closed. I did not have enough fuel to get to White River so I had to borrow lawn mower fuel from my Mother’s neighbour. That just reminded me how not planning the range of your vehicle came back to bite me. I should have ensured that I would have enough to get back to a station on Highway 17. There is another world out there beyond the 400 series highways or the Trans-Canada.

wing · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2006, 07:54:49 am »

Good point Snowy!

Shnak · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:23:35 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 23, 2006, 07:50:05 am

Clearly you people have never lived in Northern Canada where the distance ranges of you vehicles fuel capacity is something you take into consideration when embarking on long trips.

When going on fishing, hunting, camping, snowmobiling, or ATVing we had to bring extra fuel with us to ensure the return trip. While driving in Northern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or Ontario one would have to ensure the fuel stations were actually open. This was critical if you were on a long trip and part of the drive was at night. Some stations on remote highways close early and you could be SOL.

I remember last year when visiting Manitouwadge I left late on Sunday and all the stations were closed. I did not have enough fuel to get to White River so I had to borrow lawn mower fuel from my Mother’s neighbour. That just reminded me how not planning the range of your vehicle came back to bite me. I should have ensured that I would have enough to get back to a station on Highway 17. There is another world out there beyond the 400 series highways or the Trans-Canada.

mrthompson · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:32:58 am »

Panzer · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:39:41 am »

Quote from: JohnM on February 22, 2006, 03:54:29 pm

Thank God someone pointed out that distance per tankful is a useless indicator!!

When advertising a car to a potential customer, yes. When said customer has taken possession of the car, no. The distance/tank in an ad is very dependant on how the vehicle was driven, local weather, etc and putting this in an ad can turn out to be very misleading.

When someone gets a new car (and after the break-in period of course), he/she should figure out how many kms can be done on one full tank, both in winter and summer conditions. As Snowman pointed out, this knowledge can come in very handy when doing long trips.

safristi · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:43:47 am »

I didn't KNOW we were discussing THIRD WORLD areas here!!!!!....is there a PERVERSE co_relation between
Northern Communities and BIG RIGS and lack of Gas Stations.....Ooohh look dahlin' I've Run out of Gas we'll have ta "cuddle" fer WARMTH!!!!!...(PS always carry 2 GALS!!!! inna BACK!!!

).......

haris · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:55:32 am »

Totally agree with snowman. Having to look for a gas station every 350km when on a 4000km trip is dumb.
Distance per tank doesn't measure fuel consumption, but it does measure travelling freedom.

AVToller · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2006, 11:17:26 am »

Quote from: haris on February 23, 2006, 10:55:32 am

Totally agree with snowman. Having to look for a gas station every 350km when on a 4000km trip is dumb.
Distance per tank doesn't measure fuel consumption, but it does measure travelling freedom.

My original point was that distance/tankful was worthless as a measure of FUEL ECONOMY, which was the topic of the time!! I too have done a lot of driving where there is not a gas station at every other corner (BC Interior) and agree that distance/tankful is important for travelling freedom.

Shnak · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2006, 11:58:46 am »

Quote from: AVToller on February 23, 2006, 11:17:26 am

Quote from: haris on February 23, 2006, 10:55:32 am
Totally agree with snowman. Having to look for a gas station every 350km when on a 4000km trip is dumb.
Distance per tank doesn't measure fuel consumption, but it does measure travelling freedom.

My original point was that distance/tankful was worthless as a measure of FUEL ECONOMY, which was the topic of the time!! I too have done a lot of driving where there is not a gas station at every other corner (BC Interior) and agree that distance/tankful is important for travelling freedom.

Even moreso with a diesel engine since finding a station that sells diesel can be quite an adventure sometimes...

ktm525 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2006, 01:08:03 pm »

Quote from: haris on February 23, 2006, 10:55:32 am

Totally agree with snowman. Having to look for a gas station every 350km when on a 4000km trip is dumb.
Distance per tank doesn't measure fuel consumption, but it does measure travelling freedom.

Its called a slip tank. An additional 300-400L can go a long way.

Panzer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2006, 02:44:04 pm »

Quote from: ktm525 on February 23, 2006, 01:08:03 pm

Its called a slip tank. An additional 300-400L can go a long way.

But if I have one o' those, where am I gonna put all my BEvERageS?

johngenx · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2006, 03:09:37 pm »

One thing I do miss on our E300 was the range. It could go 1200kms on a tank and it made long trips easier as we didn't worry about finding a station with diesel. But, the C230 goes 800km on the highway before lighting the get-gas-soon light, so it's not too shabby either.