Can't get back over 50 MPG - driving me crazy

[derkraut]

Originally Posted by HardCase

Sam, be willing to bet that once you refil the tank with 100% gas you'll see an improvement in mileage. Have you checked tire-pressures? Those should be at least 42/40, and I keep mine at 45/43 and check them weekly. Tire pressure is one of the big things affecting mileage.

I wonder about turns/curves in the road too, can't recall seeing that aspect of driving discussed here.....although confess I've not done a search. I've noticed that when I'm driving on the highway and encounter a curve in the road, maybe not a real gradual 'sweeper' but a more pronounced (although not terribly so) one, mileage drops off noticeably. My sense is that maybe the lateral force being applied to the tires causes an increase in rolling resistance....but I'm no physicist nor engineer. Has anyone else noticed this?

I think it's the Ethanol also, Sam. Ethanol does not provide the same amount of energy as gasoline, so your MPG will suffer somewhat.

[saminjax]

Originally Posted by derkraut

I think it's the Ethanol also, Sam. Ethanol does not provide the same amount of energy as gasoline, so your MPG will suffer somewhat.

Cool...I'll be filling it up today with regular old gasoline. Thanks!

BTW, my tire pressure is at 42/40.

[sendconroymail]

How were you able to get a Base model in FL (no cruise)? I was told they were not available in the SE region.

[richard schumacher]

Ethanol has about 70% of the energy of gasoline by volume, so 10% ethanol (E10) will reduce MPGs by about 3%. It could account for going from 52 MPG to about 50. But the ethanol will also help clean the injectors, so it's not a complete disaster.

[saminjax]

Originally Posted by sendconroymail

How were you able to get a Base model in FL (no cruise)? I was told they were not available in the SE region.

You were given incorrect information, I guess. Mine came right off the boat from Japan. I had cruise control on my last two cars and didn't use it very much, so I didn't think it would matter much. Wish I'd gotten it now, based on what I've read in these forums. Maybe I'll add it down the road a ways. I read somewhere (probably in here) that it has cruise control on it, but it just isn't set up, or something to that effect. I will have to call the dealer and check on it...

[saminjax]

Well, it has been my first day on my new ethanol-free tank. I've been practicing the driving techniques linked in this thread by SpartanScott (thanks again!) for the over-45-MPH part of my daily route. My MPG average is up to 54! Much better! Thanks for all the tips and advice.

[richard schumacher]

Well, it has been my first day on my new ethanol-free tank.

Please tell us that you're not driving 50 miles out of your way to get ethanol-free fuel. That would be silly.

[saminjax]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Please tell us that you're not driving 50 miles out of your way to get ethanol-free fuel. That would be silly.

Definitely not! That would defeat the purpose. I got the ethanol gas coming home from a trip. The car gets such good mileage that it took a while to get rid of it. My normal gas station (a couple of blocks from my house) is where I got the new, no-ethanol gas. My MPG average is now up to 55.4 (as of this morning). That is my all-time-high! I've driven about 70 miles on this tank, so far.

It is a combination of returning to the normal gas and the improved Pruis-driving skills I've learned from this forum that has given me the MPG boost.