I've given up on 30mpg
12-05-2006, 09:29 PM
#21
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We have an '06 xB automatic----and for the first 2200 miles we were getting on average 24-25 mpg around town and 33 hwy. We then took a 4400 mile trip and most was at highway speeds of 60-70 mph using the 87 octane reg. and 10% ethanol where available. Our highway (mostly) went up to 35 - 37 mpg and since returning and back driving around town its been 29 -30 mpg. Yes, I do watch the tach and try not to exceed 3000 and rarely do an idiot acceleration to only stop fast at the next stop sign. NOTICE----I said idiot accelerate----because thats what I call it, now that I am 69 years old. Ya' kids, I drove like you do. burned up many sets of tires---used up lots of brake shoes, just for the thrill of it. Remember, that was with gas at 50 cents a gallon and a brake job was $25 at best. Do you ever wonder how that old fart manages to stay right with you at every stop light.............. a'hem
12-05-2006, 11:24 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by iKevin
Is it safe to run the higher octane in our engines? I remember reading somewhere that some of the Honda engines that are made for 87 octane would actually be harmed by 91.
12-05-2006, 11:31 PM
#26
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I have an '06 BOP with an axle-back exhaust and about 2300 miles. I average around 27 mpg. I'll be swapping over to Mobil 1 later this week plus i found a new/faster/mostly highway route to work so my MPG should increase. I think i might wait to change to my oil until i run a tank with my new route.
Ditto. My gas mileage is never lower than 30! 
12-06-2006, 02:27 AM
#30
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first 10k I got crummy gas milage, first 5k I didn't even hit 50 mph, and I my avg for those first 5k was between 15 and 20 mpg, but I avged between 20 and 25 for the first 10k I get around 28 now and I'm at 20,000+
12-06-2006, 02:37 AM
#33
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no I'm usually in 5th by 50, but I was shifting at around 3k and I never took main roads took me an hour or longer to get to work because the roads I was taking were between 35 and 45 mph speed limits, I'm trying to start taking those roads again because highway (60 - 65 mph) and freeway (75-80 mph) gets me about 25 mpg
i have no highways...
12-06-2006, 03:00 AM
#35
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Wow you all are getting some crazy gas mileage. More air in the tires I run about 38psi. Change your tranny oil to something better - that can get you about 4 mpg more right away. Lay off the brakes and back off the gas sooner when you have to stop. I average in the low 40's ALL the time except on a cold windy trip to Maine and back in one day when I got 37mpg OUCH! I do some 20-30 mile trips and get 50mpg with some highway and low speed 35mph roads. I have a little over 10k on my 06xB and broke it in easy light throttle but rev it once in a while. Start it up and drive really easy until it warms up. Accelerate briskly giving just enough throttle to stay in each gear for a few (3-5) seconds - if you give too much you can feel it get less responsive and bog down a little - back off from that point and it will still get great mileage. It seems to work best in the 1500-2000 rpm range - reving up to 4k is going to waste a lot of gas but if you do it quickly it is not too bad. Big thing is to back off the gas to allow the valve and ignition timing to adjust to more efficient settings. Keep the body clean and waxed and it helps too. No need for high test unless you are blowing extra air into it. You guys in the hot parts of the country have an advantage - cold air makes a lot more drag. I typically get into 5th at 25mph but if there is no need to accelerate or have a little down hill I will be in 5th at 20mph and give it just a little gas and let it build up speed slowly. Usually I take off when it is cold without any gas at all until the idle drops and have to give it some gas. I recommend getting a ScanGauge if you want to really see what is going on with your mileage.
12-06-2006, 07:18 AM
#36
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Ah, the old octane discussion again....
I get 29-31 mpg consistently, 5 speed, Pittsburgh hills, city driving - NOT an "East Coast" problem here. I keep the tires at 29-30 psi (stock tire size).
I always run 89 octane since I found the car runs slightly better and smoother, and it's worth the extra $35 per year for me to do so.
The xB can run on any octane with no harm. Higher octane never hurt any engine. It actually burns more slowly, permitting the ignition timing to be more advanced, thus creating more power. The true argument is over whether the xB benefits from higher octane, not over whether it's harmful.
I get 29-31 mpg consistently, 5 speed, Pittsburgh hills, city driving - NOT an "East Coast" problem here. I keep the tires at 29-30 psi (stock tire size).
I always run 89 octane since I found the car runs slightly better and smoother, and it's worth the extra $35 per year for me to do so.
The xB can run on any octane with no harm. Higher octane never hurt any engine. It actually burns more slowly, permitting the ignition timing to be more advanced, thus creating more power. The true argument is over whether the xB benefits from higher octane, not over whether it's harmful.
12-06-2006, 10:37 AM
#38
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Timing on mine reaches 41btdc at 60 mph I hear the limit is 42 degrees - I don't think it needs high test unless it is really hot outside. If the fuel burnt any slower you would have to spark it before the intake valves opened. LOL Some more cleaners in the fuel can help though. Yeah hills suck unless you can coast down them.
12-06-2006, 06:08 PM
#39
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Another factor that rarely gets mentioned is that gas expands as temperatures rise. So if you fill your tank during the day when it is hot, the pump will actually dispense less fuel than if it were colder out
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15370193.htm
If you question whether it really makes a difference or not, read the part of the article where the oil industry implemented the technology in Canada because it was often below 60 degrees there and it was costing the oil companies money, but hewre, they don't want to fix it because they make money...
Always fill up early or late in the day...
It works this way.
As a liquid, gasoline expands and contracts depending on temperature. At the 60-degree standard, the 231-cubic-inch American gallon puts out a certain amount of energy. But that same amount of gas expands to more than 235 cubic inches at 90 degrees, even though consumers still only get 231 cubic inches at the pump.
Put simply, every degree over the 60-degree standard diminishes the energy a 231-cubic-inch gallon delivers to the nation’s fleet of cars, trucks, boats, buses and heavy equipment — and forces drivers to consume more and pay more for fuel.
It is basic physics that, depending on the temperature, can amount to just a few cents per gallon. But it adds up to big money — coming straight out of consumers’ pockets and going right to the bottom line of major oil companies and other fuel retailers in the energy pipeline.
Moreover, it’s perfectly legal, because even though your local filling station measures out your gas as if it were stored at 60 degrees, no law requires retailers to adjust the pump to reflect the expansion of hot fuel.
As a liquid, gasoline expands and contracts depending on temperature. At the 60-degree standard, the 231-cubic-inch American gallon puts out a certain amount of energy. But that same amount of gas expands to more than 235 cubic inches at 90 degrees, even though consumers still only get 231 cubic inches at the pump.
Put simply, every degree over the 60-degree standard diminishes the energy a 231-cubic-inch gallon delivers to the nation’s fleet of cars, trucks, boats, buses and heavy equipment — and forces drivers to consume more and pay more for fuel.
It is basic physics that, depending on the temperature, can amount to just a few cents per gallon. But it adds up to big money — coming straight out of consumers’ pockets and going right to the bottom line of major oil companies and other fuel retailers in the energy pipeline.
Moreover, it’s perfectly legal, because even though your local filling station measures out your gas as if it were stored at 60 degrees, no law requires retailers to adjust the pump to reflect the expansion of hot fuel.
If you question whether it really makes a difference or not, read the part of the article where the oil industry implemented the technology in Canada because it was often below 60 degrees there and it was costing the oil companies money, but hewre, they don't want to fix it because they make money...
Always fill up early or late in the day...
