Keitaro

I've noticed the MPG issue as well. Didn't know about this winter blend gas until two weeks ago on a thread here at SL. I've been using Citgo. Owned by a Venezulean government controlled gas company whose President is considered by the current US administration as a dictator. Before the 2 months ago, I typically get 34MPG, with bi-weekly tire pressure checks at 31PSI/tire. Recently I've been getting 26MPG!

I just recently switch from Citgo to an Exxon closer to home. Result is 28-29MPG running at 31PSI/tire. But this reading is off since the mileage came from my weekend "cruising." I usually take readings based on my typical highway sprint to work during the work week. By the end of the week I should be able to determine whether switching from the Dictorship gas station to the Exxon-Valdez station makes a difference. I have this theory that one station is adding more winter blend to hook people to buy their "cheaper" at the pump gas but worse MPG than other stations.

Dansthunder

Driving your car without OD on will only lower your mpgs. The trany will not be able to shift to od with it off, and it is used around town if you get on a longe strech of road.
When the air gets colder you loose mpg. When the air is cold it is much more dense, which means the ecu sees more air (and the ITS also notices the difference in temp) and adds more fuel. IT will make a difference for people that live up north where it gets prety cold.
xray do you notice a difference in the driveability of the car?
Does it feel slugish? Have you had the oil changed lately? Try using sythetic if you do. I noticed a difference in the acceleration on my car. I don't drive it that much, but when I do I get around 34 mpg hwy and about 30 city.

whatmovesu

That is impressive that the brand of gas matters considering a majority of it is coming from the same refinery

x_rayted711

The only thing I've been noticing is when it shifts from first to second, it seems to stuuder or cut out, but have been told by others on this forum that he ECU actually cuts power between shifts. It just seems more noticable at times.
As far as me turning off the OD, I drive 3 miles one way, with traffic lights. It does shift to OD but by the time it does, it is time to slow down again. Thats why I ws thinking of turning it off. If I have to get out of the way of someone/something it just bogs because the RPM is so low in OD. Thats why I want to try turning it off for a tank, but don't want to harm anything

squirrel

Jason, here's something else to consider:

I don't know how much it would effect mpg, but at 30k miles, the spark plugs need to be changed. I changed mine at 32k and noticed a difference in acceleration, but not mpg.

x_rayted711

I just rolled over 14,000 miles today....

TheScionicMan

My last tank I got a whopping 23.5 mpg. 233 miles @ 9.9 gals.

A couple of rainy days, I wonder how much drag a wet road creates?

I'm also wondering if this winter blend gas might be harder on a small engine than on bigger polluters that wouldn't notice the loss of some kick. I also wonder what the cost for the additives are and if they could save $$ by adding more and cutting the gas a little?

At least it's not MTBE in there. Don't get me started on that fiasco...

x_rayted711

^^^^I'm glad I'm not the only one!!! WOOOHOOO!!

legendaryxb06

i think MPG has to do with the driver really... when the factory says 30-35 MPG, dont they usually go around 55MPH?

i noticed my motor revs unusually high around 60-65 MPH.. other cars ive driven usually stay around the 2200-2500 range at 65.. my xB stays around 2900-3000 range..

i stay around 55-60 MPH (2300 RPM), and i really get a huge difference in mileage

TheScionicMan

I'm not comparing against the EPA estimates, just my usual 26-29 mpg over the last 4x,000 miles of almost the same routine, the main variations being weather, traffic and aggravation level. I got about 40 miles less out of a tank than last tank, that's half my daily commute. I'm trying to remember where i filled up last time, I usually hit Safeway or Costco. I don't blame the car, I think it's other outside factors.

x_rayted711

LegendaryxB06...I am not talking about my overall mileage (although VERY crappy in my opinion). This thread was started because of a 10 MPG DIFFERENCE over the course of one (NOW TWO) tank on fuel. Going from 30 to 21 is BS. It went back up to 30 and is now back down to 22. Don't tell me it is how I drive because I have driven the same over the last 14,000 miles and IF that were the case, it would have been getting 21 MPG since day one! Once again...read the topic, read the posts....This is not about my OVERALL MPG (which is crappy anyway), this is about a sudden drop in MPG. Thanks all in advance!

TheScionicMan

To really cheese me off, I was getting 22.5 mpg in the Grand caravan with a 3.x 6cyl in the way to Turkey Day dinner. Of course, it normally boasts about 18 or so on average. and that using the on-board, no math to do there.

x_rayted711

I was geting up to 38 in my XRS...LOL. What the heck gives?

mikee1680

i get at least 28. that's with my crazy driving. Everything is stock except the exhaust. Also, i have 18 inch wheels. Try chevron. i use 89 octane.

davidfneri

I think that something is wrong. When my car was new stock, @ 34 miles per gallon...
Switched to 17's 215/45/17 Tires wich are heavier than the really skinny ones. it dropped to like @27 to 28 MPG. Stock Rims/Wheels 330 to 350 per tank depending mostly city or mostly highway.... New wheels 280 to 300 Miles per tank Max.. It dropped like 5 to 6 MPG but 21 seems too much... Just a personal opinion with my facts...

whatmovesu

Let's see filled up last friday drove 50% city 50% hwy even punch it occasionally today I am at half a tank and travel 183.7 miles according to odometer B if the 2nd half is the same the calculated 367.4/11.1=33.1mpg

To me it doesn't matter the brand of gas I followed a gas truck on my way home one day and every gas station truck was there filling up at the station that the truck was pulling into (i.e. Loves, Flying J's, QT, Cheveron, Texaco, Shell, Safeway Fuels, Sams though I didn't see BP or Valero and we don have 76 here)

legendaryxb06

hehe.. i wasnt attacking u or anything bro.. just making a comment

no hard feelings

x_rayted711

Non taken...and didn't mean anything by my post towards you. Just letting you in on what the topic is about....LOL

Malibu_Rapper

Also keep in mind that your new tire diameter is 3.7% larger than stock. So you are actually going 62.2 MPH when your speedometer reads 60. After 60 miles on your odometer, you've actually traveled 62.2. That will account for about 12 miles per full tank that you've lost. The rest can probably be attributed to road resistance (stickier wider tires) and total wheel weight.

x_rayted711

Just to let you know...My tire diameter is 1/4" taller than stock. I don't know the persentage offhand, but was EXTREMELY careful to pick a tire that would keep it AS CLOSE TO STOCK size. And once again, I know the tire will add to fuel consumption...THIS THREAD WAS STARTED BECAUSE OF A SUDDEN DROP OF 10 MPG in one tank of fuel...I was getting 28-30 with the rims/tires...