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"Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: August 6th, 2015, 12:17 pm
by Blue~Go
I don't keep super close track of my gas mileage, but I suppose I must average 11-12 or so, and I drive around 65 or thereabouts depending on roadway/traffic. Anyway, last night I was driving through "open range" out west, and so probably averaged 55 mph or less through an entire tank of gas (animals can be on roadway, even more than usual). Lo and behold, I got close to 14 mpg (pencil/paper/gallons method of calculating).
I doubt I'll drive at that speed through very many tanks of gas, but it was kind of fun to get such "good" mileage
I guess that just goes to show why most newer cars look like "used bars of soap" in shape (I do like my "box" though!)
Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 6:46 am
by Dano
This is good news Blue since I drive on the slower side. I did splurge for a Scan gauge so will be able to hopefully report accurate readings after I get a few miles on it...
Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 11:25 am
by Blue~Go
I absolutely love my Scan gauge, BUT, I wouldn't trust it for gas mileage. Not that it's the SG's fault - I think all vehicle computers report optimistic mileage readings (all that I have checked anyway). So I still do pencil and paper if I want to know. It is fun to see the 9,999 MPG on the way down a hill though

And it's still useful for seeing relative mileage vs. driving habits.
Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 4:47 pm
by SMan
On our recent trip From north of Seattle to Scottsdale our mileage was pretty consistent 10-11 mpg.
Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 10th, 2019, 8:44 pm
by Blue~Go
The variation is pretty small in the grand scheme of things, when a bad run is 10 mpg and a good one is 12.
But on the other hand I sometimes caravan with a buddy whose larger Class C (also with the V10, but on the E-450 chassis) gets 8-9 mpg when we follow right along at the same speeds and terrain. We end up needing gas at about the same time -- BUT the E-450 has a 55 gallon tank to our 37 gallon. At first I was all "really?!" but when you think about it 12 mpg is about 50% better than 8mpg. 37 gallons times 1.5 is about 55.
Sure made me feel sporty and efficient in my Concourse

Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 11th, 2019, 3:10 am
by Dano
Considering I get 16-18 in my Ford Explorers, I'll take 12 all day long

Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 11th, 2019, 7:42 am
by SMan
My Jeep Wrangler runs 14-17 mpg.

Re: "Open Range" is good for gas mileage.
Posted: March 11th, 2019, 8:19 am
by Dano
I think you should be using your Chinook as a daily driver!