Real-world fuel consumption

[dorin]

John's reports on his new '09 Corolla got me thinking about how useful real-world fuel consumption reports are.  So here's mine for my '06 Mazda3 GS (sedan, 2.0L engine, manual).

With the snow gone I am averaging about 8.5-9.0L/100km in all-city driving (the longest highway stint is only a couple of exits).

Today I took a drive down to Ogdensburg, New York.  I averaged 7.2L/100km on the way there with the cruise set at 105 km/h.  On the way back I got 6.2L/100km with the cruise set at 100 km/h (this is all according to the on-board fuel consumption computer which has proven generally accurate).  I must say that I'm very surprised at seeing such a big difference for such a small change in the speed.

[mmret]

My usual driving cycle, perhaps 60% highway, nets me something like 8.8 L / 100km. Speed averages 120. (Ottawa residents, I drive from Moodie to Nicholas on the 417).

The difference between winter and summer was not very big, maybe 0.5L. I did switch to synthetic during the winter but I doubt that was it.

Other data points.

-Relaxed 125km/h cruise from Toronto to Ottawa netted me about 7.3 last summer.

-Hyper aggressive 160km/h sprint from Ottawa to Hamilton (I did it in 4 hours, and no I didn't get pulled over, this was before the fascists made the street racing law) actually only came out to 8.5 L / 100km. And this was with many trips into VTEC land.

-Crappy trip in winter storm conditions, many stops and lots of time spent in the 60-100 range: 7.6 L / 100km.

-100+km jaunt from Hamilton to Pacific Mall netted about 6.7. Summer, no AC, just the sunroof tilted. Going 105-110. Stopped counting when I hit Kennedy and traffic lights.

Overall I'm quite happy with the fuel economy. I've verified the trip computer calculations and they're usually within 0.05L/100km of my hand calculations (which really is just filling up to the click, so its temperature dependent I suppose?).

I can easily beat the rated 7.5 L / 100km on the highway even if I break the speed limit. 105-110 seems to be the sweet spot.

[vdk]

2008 VW Rabbit 5-Door 6AT

Rush hour: 9.8L/100km (35km - 95% highway)

City: ~14L/100km
Highway: 9L/100km (110-140)


*still in the break-in period*

What's supposed to get:
10.6l/100km  City     
7.0l/100km  Highway


Now that I'm used to my Rab's terrific fuel consumption, when I hear ppl talking about 5l, 6l/100km highway, I'm like WOW, how's that possible 

[rrocket]

My Echo exceeds what I'm supposed to get, as do most Echo owners.  I'm usually in the high 4's...with my all time best being 4.41L/100km.

[Mitlov]

Does anyone know a simple way to convert mpg (either imperial or US gallons, but say which) to L/100km?  I'd love to know what y'all are talking about.

[rrocket]

Yes...take either number, and divide by 235. (this will get you very, very close)

Example   235/4.4=53.4 MPG

[Mitlov]

Yes...take either number, and divide by 235. (this will get you very, very close)

Example   235/4.4=53.4 MPG

Either number?  Dividing by 235 can't be the conversion for both imperial and US gallons, because US gallons are significantly smaller.

[mmret]

Yes...take either number, and divide by 235. (this will get you very, very close)

Example   235/4.4=53.4 MPG

Either number?  Dividing by 235 can't be the conversion for both imperial and US gallons, because US gallons are significantly smaller.

Other way around, divide 235 by either number.

PS: you can type these into google

ie: "7.2 L / 100km to miles per US gallon"

Also functions for horsepower to kW, and pound-feet to Nm.

[Wolfe]

Does anyone know a simple way to convert mpg (either imperial or US gallons, but say which) to L/100km?  I'd love to know what y'all are talking about.

And if you hate actually doing the math bookmark this link:

http://www.sciencemadesimple.net/fuel_economy.php

[Mitlov]

Awesome, thanks.  Driving is 85% highway, 15% city.  I tend to get 8 L / 100 km, or just slightly worse.

[rrocket]

Yes...take either number, and divide by 235. (this will get you very, very close)

Example   235/4.4=53.4 MPG

Either number?  Dividing by 235 can't be the conversion for both imperial and US gallons, because US gallons are significantly smaller.

I just put the conversion for US MPG since I thought that's all you'd use....(that's all I use, since most of the magazine I read are US and in US MPG)

[rrocket]

30MPG or so...not too shabby for your car Mitlov.  I was looking at the new Sport Compact Car yesterday..and someone is making a new CAI for your car..do you have one??

[Careener]

2006 mazda 3 GX manual.. 7.8l avg in mixed driving since day 1.

[Wolverine]

Ok, so I've got a nice one here.

Polo 1.6L Flex Fuel Engine.

Using only gasoline it averages: 12L/100km~11L/100km (100% city driving with some bad traffic on the way back home, 6 km two way commute and some short trips along the day). Only tested it once on the highway, car fully loaded with 5 people and trunk full of stuff, 7.5L/100km.

Now the best part:

Using only ethanol: 18L/100km~16L/100km (same commute as with gasoline), never tested with ethanol on the road tho, too low autonomy.

Of course I've reached heaven doing 9L/100km with 100% gasoline, 100% city driving during one full tank right after an oil and filters change. But I've touched hell as well, doing 13L/100km with 100% gasoline and on 100% city driving. This car is really weird, each tank is a surprise.

Ps. The company pays the gas so any mileage is ok to me, heeheheheeheh.

[Mitlov]

30MPG or so...not too shabby for your car Mitlov.  I was looking at the new Sport Compact Car yesterday..and someone is making a new CAI for your car..do you have one??

Yeah, I'm normally just shy of 30 mpg, but like I said, that's 85% highway, and even "city" isn't stop-and-go in southern Oregon.  

As for the cold air intake, naw, I don't have one, and right now I don't have spare cash for performance mods.  Maybe some other time.

[mmret]

Ok, so I've got a nice one here.

Polo 1.6L Flex Fuel Engine.

Using only gasoline it averages: 12L/100km~11L/100km (100% city driving with some bad traffic on the way back home, 6 km two way commute and some short trips along the day). Only tested it once on the highway, car fully loaded with 5 people and trunk full of stuff, 7.5L/100km.

Now the best part:

Using only ethanol: 18L/100km~16L/100km (same commute as with gasoline), never tested with ethanol on the road tho, too low autonomy.

Of course I've reached heaven doing 9L/100km with 100% gasoline, 100% city driving during one full tank right after an oil and filters change. But I've touched hell as well, doing 13L/100km with 100% gasoline and on 100% city driving. This car is really weird, each tank is a surprise.

Ps. The company pays the gas so any mileage is ok to me, heeheheheeheh.

No offense intended, but do you have a lead foot?

[rrocket]

Ok, so I've got a nice one here.

Polo 1.6L Flex Fuel Engine.

Using only gasoline it averages: 12L/100km~11L/100km (100% city driving with some bad traffic on the way back home, 6 km two way commute and some short trips along the day). Only tested it once on the highway, car fully loaded with 5 people and trunk full of stuff, 7.5L/100km.

Now the best part:

Using only ethanol: 18L/100km~16L/100km (same commute as with gasoline), never tested with ethanol on the road tho, too low autonomy.

Of course I've reached heaven doing 9L/100km with 100% gasoline, 100% city driving during one full tank right after an oil and filters change. But I've touched hell as well, doing 13L/100km with 100% gasoline and on 100% city driving. This car is really weird, each tank is a surprise.

Ps. The company pays the gas so any mileage is ok to me, heeheheheeheh.

What's the cost for gasoline and ethanol in Brazil??

[Winklovic]

To convert Imperial mpg to L/100 km:
282.48/x = L/100, where x is mpg.

To convert L/100 km to Imperial mpg:
282.48/x = mpg, where x is L/100 km.

[Mitlov]

No offense intended, but do you have a lead foot?

Remember that ethanol has less energy per gallon than petrol; 9L/100km with ethanol is not nearly as bad as 9L/100km with gas.  This is also why fuel economy drops when you use E85.

[Leviathan]

Last tank is as typical as any I've had and took 20 days to rack up 465.8Kms on 53.092L for 11.4L/100km. Only ~80Kms of that was at 90-110Kms the rest was city <=60Km/h and the Scangauge reports the average speed for the tank was 29Km/h. Also according to the Scangauge the Tribute managed 7.9L/100 for a 35.6Km stretch from White Rock to Vancouver with cruise set at 100Km/h. A much longer mostly highway White Rock->Cranbrook ->White Rock (some shuttling around in Cranbrook, not really "city" though) was 8.6L/100km overall. The 886km all highway return portion took 73.6L for 8.3L/100km. Highway 3 (Crowsnest) for those that have driven it. The 2006 Tribute brochure lists 10.8 city, 8.2 highway.