Joined
·
448 Posts
Going for 1,000 mile tank
21 - 40 of 173 Posts
Joined
·
448 Posts
That is the problem, the car is capable of maintaining +55 mpg if the conditions are favorable.
It takes a lot of things to line up to be able to put 1000 "good" miles together. The weather, (rain, wind, temp, etc.), terrain, time, traffic, commitment to drive "smart", extra errands and other unforeseen challenges all make it hard to put a 1000 high fuel efficiency miles together.
If this was easy or fun everyone would be doing it.
It is hard to stay focused all the time. I always look up the road for slower moving traffic and plan lane changes well before they happen. I typically go 1-3 mph above the posted speed limit. So I try not to move over to pass someone if there is faster moving traffic closing on me. I try to be considerate to other drivers.
I pay attention to intersections and have markers, like road signs, that I use to know when I can start coasting to the turn/stop. With this, I always monitor my speed and the other drivers so I don't hold them up.
My commute starts at 4:10 am, so traffic is light which helps.
But, to get everything to line up and work in your favor for such a long distance requires a little luck. I'm sure driving on open highway with no traffic or restroom breaks at 55 mph 1200 miles would be possible.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
1,958 Posts
I left for wildwood, nj from near Indy about a week ago, it was cool, about 55 degrees, and a small amount of tail wind, was getting in mid 50s but having to stop for bathroom breaks and some hills took me down a bit. Went 803 miles and DIC said I could go another 150 or so plus I ran out of highway and began doing some starts and stops. I think if I were driving west and not in a hurry I might be able to get close to 1000 miles. 900 wouldn't be a problem at all.
on my return trip I drove faster and stopped a couple times more, went 811 miles or so but the low fuel light was on and then it said low fuel on DIC and I was in Indy and know I burn more fuel in city so I fueled up, plus it was just 1.96 so why not.
i don't really expect I will do a 1000 tank, but prolly 850 to 900. Not sure I want to get my car that close to empty. But you sure can make it. Plus my CTD only has 12.6k miles. I don't know how long it takes for it to be fully broke in?
on my return trip I drove faster and stopped a couple times more, went 811 miles or so but the low fuel light was on and then it said low fuel on DIC and I was in Indy and know I burn more fuel in city so I fueled up, plus it was just 1.96 so why not.
i don't really expect I will do a 1000 tank, but prolly 850 to 900. Not sure I want to get my car that close to empty. But you sure can make it. Plus my CTD only has 12.6k miles. I don't know how long it takes for it to be fully broke in?
I drove mine like I stole it from day 1. Absolutely no "proper" break in procedure. The result? Great power and 0 oil consumption 170,000 miles later. As for running low, I have run over 100 miles with the low fuel light on without issue. YMMV. I figure once the light comes on you have about 2 usable gallons of fuel remaining.
By the way, I think you still have a possibility of making 1000.
Joined
·
1,958 Posts
i drive mine like I stole it now at least once a day and did so several times on my 800 mile tanks. I took my oil life monitor to ZERO for the first time on any car I ever have driven, Never done that before. It was like 7500 miles, dealer is using Mobil 1 Xe 5w 30. I like to drive it hard on a big hill or mountain. I used no oil between changes but only 12.6k miles. Not that it makes a huge difference but I had a tint done recently and my ac doesn't run nearly as much as it did prior. I would assume on a hot day it may make a difference. Now I can get free oil changes at 18k, then 24k and get to 30k or so and either have dealer do changes or myself. I am very happy with this CTD.
Joined
·
448 Posts
I usually go 50-80 miles after the light comes on. I don't buy in to the whole "the fuel pump overheating and dirt at the bottom of the tank" worries that quite a few people preach.
As for running it hard, in the words of Will Ferrell in the Other Guys, "I never actually put my foot all the way down to the ground with the accelerator like that"
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
448 Posts
I'll give it a try. I have 55 miles of interstate at 71-72 mph that nets 60-65 mpg. There is also 35 miles of highway at 59 mph that nets 62-67 mpg.
I believe the terrain plays a role in the diminishing returns on the slower highway driving, but I always see about the same mileage at both speeds so I have always been hesitant to slow on the interstate. I will try it tomorrow and report my findings.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
1,958 Posts
Hopefully you don't get a regen right towards the end, a regen in my car reduces mileage a lot for 10-15 min.
Joined
·
481 Posts
Joined
·
448 Posts
Joined
·
448 Posts
It has a few enhancements plus a few mods.
Tire pressures are maxed out, 55-58 psi warm.
Grill block off ran below 65°f
Partial extended belly pan between rear axle and rear bumper
Amsoil full synthetic fluids throughout power train
Pretty rowdy tune in computer
Removed extra parts and pieces to reduce weight
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
448 Posts
I've thought about the possibility of running the tank dry. If I do, I believe that negates the 1000 mile tank, or at least it should. But, running the tank dry will give me an exact amount of fuel the tank holds. I've put 18 gallons in it before, I would like to know the limits.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
448 Posts
There have been a few components removed, mainly for weight savings...
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
448 Posts
I've got a question for the group.
I wanted to do an experiment to test the effectiveness of slowing down to increase fuel mileage. So I did that today on the afternoon commute. I normally like to do three iterations and take an average before declaring victory. But....no surprise,
It was wildly successful!! As stated before, I normally run 59 mph on the highway and 71-73 on the interstate. Today I did 55 and 67 respectively and set new 25, 50 and 500 mile average high scores!
This leads to my question. By slowing down, it looks like the 1000 mile tank is easily within reach.
But, are there stipulations as to what classifies this a big deal?
Jacking up the front tires and setting a light brick on the gas pedal would be one way to get 1000 miles, but who would care?
I claim 18 usable gallons of fuel. By useable, I mean I use almost 18 gallons of fuel between every fill up. If I were to push the car and reach hyperfail status, that doesn't seem very "usable" or practical to me.
On the same hand, if I drop my speed to 45 mph at all times, the limit of my tank is going to far surpass 1000 miles. But, that is not practical either.
I would like to make a 1000 mile tank under somewhat real world driving conditions. I feel that running the speed limit and even 1-4 mph over the limit is reasonable and practical for most people.
How does everyone feel about this and are there guidelines for what everyone would think is useable/practical mileage?
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
448 Posts
@obermd that previous post was in no way directed at your suggestion in a negative way. I agree with your statement, I just want to make sure that if I can make the 1000 mile tank that there is not an asterisk next to it stating "yeah, right".
It has taken a lot to get to this point and I'm trying to make it with a daily drive able car. Gutting the interior, taping off seams, installing systems that require special attention and take away from the pleasure of driving puts the car into another category that I don’t want to be in.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
It has taken a lot to get to this point and I'm trying to make it with a daily drive able car. Gutting the interior, taping off seams, installing systems that require special attention and take away from the pleasure of driving puts the car into another category that I don’t want to be in.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Joined
·
1,958 Posts
I respect what you are working to achieve but over inflating tires and removing stuff seems a bit obsessive on my side. I think finding ideal speed for your daily route makes sense to me. I want a comfy ride and honestly for the money the Cruze CTD is an amazing ride and comfort. I enjoy pushing this car to see what it can do but not in exchange of my comfort. Hope you make it.
21 - 40 of 173 Posts
