roadtrip w/ AC

ACORNBLUES · 08-31-2007, 03:33 PM

Wow, I am surprised to get such high MPG at such high MPH. The SD/Sac, CA roadtrip took 2 tanks of gas RT. It was quite interesting that I got better MPG driving during the day (+90F) vs at night (70F).

factoids - ODO 5k. Tires 42/40. AC set to 78F. Oil level 5mm above full tick .\ /. Grr I didn't think to check the oil level since I was getting +50MPG so far before the trip. I can't wait to change my oil (synth) and install an EBH. Was hoping to do both together, but it doesn't look like it will happen. All readings are based on MFC. But 60MPG avg here I come.

I do wonder though:
I drove +600mi on the return leg and my FG is still registering 2 ticks.
In April my ICE quit on me after only 500mi. The FG warmed me at 450mi. Bladder at work I guess.
I got 51MPG driving at night on the 1st leg - no AC. Does that mean cruising at 70F requires blocking part of the front grill?
Hmm, I wonder what yr Toyota will introduce a variable front grill opening.

bwilson4web · 08-31-2007, 07:16 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACORNBLUES @ Aug 31 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]505087[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Wow, I am surprised to get such high MPG at such high MPH. The SD/Sac, CA roadtrip took 2 tanks of gas RT. It was quite interesting that I got better MPG driving during the day (+90F) vs at night (70F).

factoids - ODO 5k. Tires 42/40. AC set to 78F. Oil level 5mm above full tick .\ /. Grr I didn't think to check the oil level since I was getting +50MPG so far before the trip. I can't wait to change my oil (synth) and install an EBH. Was hoping to do both together, but it doesn't look like it will happen. All readings are based on MFC. But 60MPG avg here I come.

I do wonder though:
I drove +600mi on the return leg and my FG is still registering 2 ticks.
In April my ICE quit on me after only 500mi. The FG warmed me at 450mi. Bladder at work I guess.
I got 51MPG driving at night on the 1st leg - no AC. Does that mean cruising at 70F requires blocking part of the front grill?
Hmm, I wonder what yr Toyota will introduce a variable front grill opening.
[/b]

At 70 mph, air drag plays a significant part in MPG because it also impacts the engine speed range. My rule of thumb is benchmarks at speeds above 35 mph need to note the wind direction and velocity. At night, the surface winds tend to die down but during the day, they can be significant. You may be able to access climate data that shows the winds on the day of your trip.

Bob Wilson

unruhly · 08-31-2007, 10:41 PM

I kinda doubt an EBH is going to help your MPG aspirations in San Diego.
What's the yearly low in SD? Somewhere around 50 for a day or two?

I don't see any change in MPGs until the weather drops under 50 and stays there.

I used to live in SD (near Sunset Cliffs), and boy do I miss it during the winter months!

abq sfr · 08-31-2007, 11:10 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(unruhly @ Aug 31 2007, 08:41 PM) [snapback]505247[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I kinda doubt an EBH is going to help your MPG aspirations in San Diego.
What's the yearly low in SD? Somewhere around 50 for a day or two?

I don't see any change in MPGs until the weather drops under 50 and stays there.

I used to live in SD (near Sunset Cliffs), and boy do I miss it during the winter months!
[/b]

The EBH helps during the first 5-10 minutes, especially the first 5, even when ambient temp is warm. On my commute, I was getting less than 25 the first 5, after starting to use the EBH that went up above 55 mpg on the first 5 minutes some mornings, and that's with the garage around 75. You can glide much sooner after initial startup using the EBH. I'm pleased with mine even during the summer!

unruhly · 09-01-2007, 04:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abq sfr @ Aug 31 2007, 11:10 PM) [snapback]505257[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The EBH helps during the first 5-10 minutes, especially the first 5, even when ambient temp is warm. On my commute, I was getting less than 25 the first 5, after starting to use the EBH that went up above 55 mpg on the first 5 minutes some mornings, and that's with the garage around 75. You can glide much sooner after initial startup using the EBH. I'm pleased with mine even during the summer! [/b]

Very interesting.
Even after stopping for 5 minutes at the grocery store, I still get way reduced mileage the first 5, and I know the car is still hot.
Do you (or anyone else) know what temp the EBH maintains??
I might have to rethink this especially with winter approaching.

Thanks!

Winston · 09-01-2007, 10:52 PM

I just did a trip to Disneyland from the SF East bay. It was a 385 mile trip with a significant portion being on the flat straight, boring I5. We generally set the Cruise at 80mph. We got constant bars at 42mpg. So, that correlates well with the 52mpg at 70mph. After going over the grapevine and travelling a bit slower in the LA traffice we ended up with 45.2mpg on the way down and 45.8 on the way back. I was still happy with that mileage.

For that trip, changing the speed from 80mph to 70mph would cost me about 30-40 minutes. Since we have two young kids that was a trade-off worth making.(to me). So, it cost me about $5 to save the 30 minutes.

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08-31-2007, 03:33 PM	#1
ACORNBLUES Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 86 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Wow, I am surprised to get such high MPG at such high MPH. The SD/Sac, CA roadtrip took 2 tanks of gas RT. It was quite interesting that I got better MPG driving during the day (+90F) vs at night (70F). factoids - ODO 5k. Tires 42/40. AC set to 78F. Oil level 5mm above full tick .\ /. Grr I didn't think to check the oil level since I was getting +50MPG so far before the trip. I can't wait to change my oil (synth) and install an EBH. Was hoping to do both together, but it doesn't look like it will happen. All readings are based on MFC. But 60MPG avg here I come. I do wonder though: I drove +600mi on the return leg and my FG is still registering 2 ticks. In April my ICE quit on me after only 500mi. The FG warmed me at 450mi. Bladder at work I guess. I got 51MPG driving at night on the 1st leg - no AC. Does that mean cruising at 70F requires blocking part of the front grill? Hmm, I wonder what yr Toyota will introduce a variable front grill opening.

08-31-2007, 10:41 PM	#3
unruhly Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I kinda doubt an EBH is going to help your MPG aspirations in San Diego. What's the yearly low in SD? Somewhere around 50 for a day or two? I don't see any change in MPGs until the weather drops under 50 and stays there. I used to live in SD (near Sunset Cliffs), and boy do I miss it during the winter months!

09-01-2007, 10:52 PM	#6
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 558 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just did a trip to Disneyland from the SF East bay. It was a 385 mile trip with a significant portion being on the flat straight, boring I5. We generally set the Cruise at 80mph. We got constant bars at 42mpg. So, that correlates well with the 52mpg at 70mph. After going over the grapevine and travelling a bit slower in the LA traffice we ended up with 45.2mpg on the way down and 45.8 on the way back. I was still happy with that mileage. For that trip, changing the speed from 80mph to 70mph would cost me about 30-40 minutes. Since we have two young kids that was a trade-off worth making.(to me). So, it cost me about $5 to save the 30 minutes.