Mileage Per Gallon |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Topic: Mileage Per Gallon Posted: 27 Jun 2013 at 1:53pm |
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The opposite is true, the few vehicles which require 93 octane (usually sports cars) will be damaged if you put 87 into them.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 at 12:12pm | |
I know for sure we got some crappy lower octane than advertised (87) gas in the NC mountains, and when we had a really long hard pull on the interstate coming back, we got some wicked bad pinging for the two seconds it took me to shut the cruise control down when big Ex shifted to 3rd at 65mph. Next fill up we put in a higher octane (91), then got into the mountains again.. no pinging at what appeared to be the exact same conditions. (RPM incline, and road speed)
I don't think I have ever heard of damage from a higher octane being used, it just isn't always helpful or needed. Most modern vehicles will adjust ignition timing and spark to compensate anyways. Our GTi does that. It wants 93, but you can run it on 87.. and you can tell when you do. My guess is it cuts boost and timing advance pretty harshly, because merging and passing are noticeably different. |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 at 11:55am | |
Never heard of the damage thing, and many of the small truck/SUV manufacturers recommend premium when towing. As far as decreasing MPG, I can only relate my own experience, which has been a noticeable increase.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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hogone
Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1042 |
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 at 11:38am | |
I was always under the impression that you can actually do damage to a car engine running higher octane fuel if not called for. And could actually decrease your MPG using higher tyan recommended octane.
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 at 5:08pm | |
For what it's worth: I just returned from a 780 mile camping trip towing the 172 with a Honda Pilot. MPG was 12.7 towing at 60 MPH, including about 200 miles not towing. Trip included climbing to 2400 feet at Cheaha State Park, AL (oxygen not required). This with 93 octane gas.
I have found the 93 octane gas can make 2 MPG difference while towing with my Pilot. Other TVs will differ, but at present prices, the cost/mile is a bit improved and I get more miles per tankful and more horsepower for climbing. It's worth a trial to see if you can benefit. Non ethanol gas would probably be even better. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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Seanl
Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Location: Fredericton NB Online Status: Offline Posts: 633 |
Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:57am | |
+1 to this if I am bucking a headwind I think I can watch the gas gauge go down.
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Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214 |
Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:54am | |
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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hogone
Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: St. Louis Online Status: Offline Posts: 1042 |
Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:44am | |
Ethanol definately decreases MPG. Another point that hasn't been brought up is time of year, use of air conditioner, windows up or down. Probably minimal effect however.
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Jon & Pam
2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
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HuronSailor
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Location: Owosso MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 704 |
Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 12:31pm | |
Recent trip from MI to NC averaged 10.1 MPG, with a low of 9.9 MPG and a high of 12.44 MPG averaged over 9 fill ups. I did not include one tank used sightseeing with no pod which was 16.7 MPG.
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.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
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TIDALWAVE
Senior Member Joined: 21 Nov 2009 Location: MINNESOTA Online Status: Offline Posts: 315 |
Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 11:20am | |
One variable that is difficult to pin down is the amount of ethanol that is actually in gasoline!
Ethanol may make gas burn cleaner but it has less energy per gallon. Here in the Midwest, States are pushing for 15% ethanol vs the normal 10%. Theoretically, this is a farmer pushed potential change. More money for them but a noticeable decrease in mpg. In Minnesota, several sampling tests were done and the 10% ethanol varied +/- 2%. This may not seem to be much...but when R-Pod owners are trying to 'hyper-mile' their tows, this can make a noticeable difference in mpg. I took a trip out west with the Pod and as soon as I passed into another state which had non-ethanol 87 octane gas...my mpg jumped by more than 3 mpg! |
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TIDALWAVE
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