What kind of gas mileage are you averaging? - Page 4

NorCal 4x4 · 02-24-2005, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEIF

Some good points and info guys.

My O.R. will barely stay at 2,000 RPM @ 70 mph. That's the least it will be. On takeoffs it is a real chore to keep it below 2,000 rpm, it acts like that's almost the stall speed of the converter. Offroad/Bigtow gearing is 14 percent lower than standard. Roughly 14 percent difference in highway mileage? Probably close. I figure the engine will always be spinning 14 % more at any speed. Not only that but the rpm's just seem to climb so easily.

I spent a day cruising a big junkyard in the snow Saturday so I can't count this tank although it was an average 11.7 mpg.

I filled up today and will hopefully be able to squeeze all I can out of it. No long idling, cruise the highway at 70 or less, maybe try to keep it at 2,000 rpm. Not use downshifting to slow down. I just want to see what I can get. Not that I can drive like this for any real period of time, but one tank is do-able

Well lower gearing is what I wanted and mileage is the tradeoff. Notice though I'm not complaining about doggy takeoffs

Cheif

You're probably right about the 14%. Squid stated 17.5 mpg mostly Hwy. and 14% less is 15 mpg.

I think there is also tolerances on things like the O2 sensor etc. that might add to this as well. And maybe ECU rev.

Another 1/2 gallon or so can be attributed to the BT and OR's extra weight, ~50 lbs. for the CC, CA urban gas w/MTBE, the curves I slow down for and accelerate out of, and as you state, it is a chore to keep it at 2000 rpm from a stop, if you don't pay close attention.

I babied a whole tank with mine, thinking I was going to set a new personal record, (at the time 15 mpg), and I only got 14.3 mpg.

From back in Nov. '04
"Well I was finally able to drive for an entire tank like Grandma, (the slow one).

Almost all of my accelerations were at below 2K RPM. When no one was behind me, I even crawled up to 50-55 MPH at 1.5K RPM. I was proud of myself for being so mature for the whole tank. Of course without the motivation of posting that I was going to do it, I might not have made it. Anyway 14.3 MPG

Maybe winter gas?
I'm going to try something other than Chevron next.
[Note: 76 gas was tried for two tanks 13.7 mpg & 13.1 mpg].
Previously the avg. has been about 14.5 MPG being fairly conservative and taking off at 2-2.7K RPM, and passing a few times per tank, (where I can really hear the truck), and even with AC on during the summer and early fall."

Hope your experiment works out better than mine did.
Let us know.

1stNewCar · 02-25-2005, 06:11 AM

swarren1

I've read people applying corrections and did a search in forums to see where they were comming from, but little information. So, just tested on Rt. 50 in Maryland yesterday:

Mile marker 106 to 67 = 39 miles
Odometer 115.9 to 153.2 = 37.3 miles

absolute error = 1.7 miles
% error = 1.7 / 39(accepted value) x 100 = 4.4%

I was't sure at first which number to divide by (its been a while). . . found on random website: http://www.alexandria.k12.mn.us/jeff...cent.error.htm

Applied to last tank:
Odometer miles= 212.5
4.3% correction= 9.1 miles
Actual miles= 222
Gallons= 15.3
MPG with correction= 14.5 without=13.9

I still cant find out why this exists. Maybe the odometer is calibrated for different wheel/tires.

Thanks

honeykeeper · 02-25-2005, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stNewCar

swarren1

I've read people applying corrections and did a search in forums to see where they were comming from, but little information. So, just tested on Rt. 50 in Maryland yesterday:

Mile marker 106 to 67 = 39 miles
Odometer 115.9 to 153.2 = 37.3 miles

absolute error = 1.7 miles
% error = 1.7 / 39(accepted value) x 100 = 4.4%

I was't sure at first which number to divide by (its been a while). . . found on random website: http://www.alexandria.k12.mn.us/jeff...cent.error.htm

Applied to last tank:
Odometer miles= 212.5
4.3% correction= 9.1 miles
Actual miles= 222
Gallons= 15.3
MPG with correction= 14.5 without=13.9

I still cant find out why this exists. Maybe the odometer is calibrated for different wheel/tires.

Thanks

Well I went through this with NISSAN in the beginning and the ENGINEER said they allow for a 6% odometer error

so I asked which way??? is that 3% above and below or what????

No reply to this day from the Engineer or NISSAN.........at least it is in our favor to have less miles logged than actual eh???? Still it is a Quality Control issue but the least of all the other REAL issues that abound. It does seem like the ECU could be programmed for diferent wheel/tire sizes.

Well on Sat. I will try the all hiway mpg's on my Titan to see how the 1600-50 RPM's goes. I will let ya'll know what happens.
Peace-Tom

Coffee & Coco-Ribe'

CHEIF · 02-25-2005, 02:48 PM

My odometer is consistently 3.3 percent lower than the GPS I use. I haven't been correcting for that. hmmmm

I mentioned recently that the dia of the O.R. tires was different than the others, then someone (sorry, forgot who) went and checked. Turns out the tires on the bigger rim are the same Dia. as the offroads, larger rim but lower profile tire.

Maybe the 245's are shorter than the other tires....................................

Cheif

NorCal 4x4 · 02-26-2005, 12:54 PM

The main reason it is good to monitor our mileage is if it changes dramatically, it may indicate a mechanical issue.

Because of so many Titan configurations, driving styles, road types and traffic conditions, how far they drive, how often the Titan is fired up each day, fuel blends - urban vs. rural, and state variations, and other factors, it is difficult to compare our experience to others.

When I see someone getting 17.5 mpg, and I'm at around 14.5 mpg I start thinking, I wish I hadn't gotten the BT/OR Pkgs. But when I look at the difference in fuel cost it is not that great, at least short term. Over five years it is a nice chunk of change but on a daily basis, it's less than a cup of gourmet coffee.

So let's look at the numbers. I paid $2.10/gal. the other day for Chevron 87 oct. near Sacramento. I'll use that for the calculations.

17.5 mpg: 1 mile / 17.5 mpg = 0.057 gallons per mile.

$2.10 x 0.057 gallons = $0.1197 per mile, or 12 cents. Or 100 miles cost $12

14.5 mpg: 1 mile / 14.5 mpg = 0.069 gallons per mile.

$2.10 x 0.069 gallons = $0.1448 per mile, or ~14.5 cents. Or 100 miles costs $14.50

11.5 mpg: 1 mile / 11.5 mpg = 0.087 gallons per mile.

$2.10 x 0.087 gallons = $0.1826 per mile, or ~18.25 cents. Or 100 miles costs $18.25

10.0 mpg: 1 mile / 10.0 mpg = 0.100 gallons per mile.

$2.10 x 0.100 gallons = $0.2100 per mile, or 21 cents. Or 100 miles costs $21

Assume a 100 mile per day round trip, and that I was somehow able to increase my mileage by 3 mpg to 17.5 mpg I'd save $2.50 a day.
I know pack-a-day smokers that are paying over $4 a day.

Someone getting 11.5 mpg, and increasing by 3 mpg to 14.5 mpg, on the same 100 mile trip, would save $3.75
Still under the $4 a pack for smokes or maybe a large iced mocha.

My advise is keep the Titan, and lose a bad habit instead. You will be much happier

CHEIF · 02-26-2005, 07:31 PM

Swarren1,

I'm sure a lot of people will agree with you. Most of us (myself included) waste far more $ on less important things.

I guess mileage for me is important for a few other reasons besides $:

-Like you said, mechanical soundness indicator.

-I care about the environment and if possible will burn less fuel where possible, even though it's a relatively small amount in the grand scheme. Of course I choose to ignore this when I drive to work instead of take a van with 10 people on it, or choose 2 stroke over 4 stroke engines in my recreational vehicles for performance.

-Just another way to occupy myself, how much can I squeeze out?

Nice to hear a different angle on this topic, and I would never consider selling a vehicle I liked because of it's mileage, I just might drive it less and use alternate means.

Cheif

honeykeeper · 02-27-2005, 11:28 AM

I'm back from a good road trip........now have a 100% hi-way only miles mpg report on my Titan
Heading East to Lower Elevation.......your not going to belive this!!

@ 1,650 RPM ( 57-8 mph ) =18.359 mpg with the 4% odometer correction =19.094 mpg!!!!
( checked again and still the same @ 7,200 miles 4% odometer under-reading)
Heading West to Higher Elevation @ 1,600 RPM ( 57 mph ) =21.59 mpg with the 4% odometer error =22.543 mpg......wouldn't you know I signed the papers last friday to trade my 04 Titan in...........for a 05 Titan!!!!

Now I'm going to have a....well.....you know what!!

Peace-Tom

Highlands Ale

Pot Hole · 02-28-2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Mincarelli

I'm back from a good road trip........now have a 100% hi-way only miles mpg report on my Titan
Heading East to Lower Elevation.......your not going to belive this!!

@ 1,650 RPM ( 57-8 mph ) =18.359 mpg with the 4% odometer correction =19.094 mpg!!!!
( checked again and still the same @ 7,200 miles 4% odometer under-reading)
Heading West to Higher Elevation @ 1,600 RPM ( 57 mph ) =21.59 mpg with the 4% odometer error =22.543 mpg......

Tom,

How did you manage to keep your foot from going over 60 mph????

When I hit the Interstate, I'm never under 70 unless there is a traffic jam!!!

Quote:

wouldn't you know I signed the papers last friday to trade my 04 Titan in...........for a 05 Titan!!!!

I gotta ask...what happened to make you trade in your old truck??? Did you trade it as it?? Are you gonna let the rear lights you installed go with the old truck?

Pot Hole

honeykeeper · 02-28-2005, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pot Hole

Tom,

How did you manage to keep your foot from going over 60 mph????

When I hit the Interstate, I'm never under 70 unless there is a traffic jam!!!

I gotta ask...what happened to make you trade in your old truck??? Did you trade it as it?? Are you gonna let the rear lights you installed go with the old truck?

Pot Hole

Hi Pothole,
I used the cruise control and set it by the RPM's not the speed to get some data. Traffic was light so I got away with the low-speed.

All details are in my sig. below.......just stock!

Well I got tired of the service calls.......even though I worked the bugs out I wasn't sure about any damage from the "downshift shudder" or driveline backlash as I call it now. So I bailed out with a good offer.
I'm keeping the shell, bushwhackers, bug/rock deflector and of course the White Night back-up lights.........they are excellent.
Now waiting for the 05.
Peace-Tom

Coffee & Coco-Ribe'

Pot Hole · 02-28-2005, 09:34 AM

Tom,

Even though I've had my truck approx. 6 months now, I still haven't had the opportunity to take it on a real highway road trip. I've done a bit of interstate driving, but not enough that I can qualify my mpg to say it reflected "highway" miles. I started charting my mpg on my second tank fill-up and to-date it averages 13.5 - 14.5 mpg on mostly small town driving. I switched to synthetic oil on my first oil change, but saw very little change in mpg. I'm hoping that as the truck continues to break in that my mpg will improve somewhat, but given what I'm reading on here, my average mpg falls pretty much where other Titan owners fall that have the same packages I do. There are other modifications being plugged on this forum as offering mpg benefits, but I'm a bit hesitant to make to many modifications until my warranty has expired. I will probably try the tire pressure adjustment and see how that works, but other than that, I'm going to leave well enough alone.

Speaking of that, I still haven't had a reason to go back to the dealer for any problems on my truck. I'm hoping my later build date may have given them the opportunity to correct some of the issues I've been reading about. We'll see, I guess. If I'm going to have problems, I kinda wish they would go ahead and begin so I can get them corrected before they leave me stranded when I'm "sans warranty"!

Good luck with your '05. Keep in touch.

M.Chapman · 02-28-2005, 05:58 PM

I Just got back from playing in the dunes. My Titan pulled an enclosed trailer w/ four banshees inside, down I-5 at 70+ mph the whole way. No problem.
The mileage was just under 8mpg. Not good, but it sure was fun passing all those Fords & Chevys up hills and on straight-a-ways. Day to day milage is about 15mpg. Hard to keep my foot out of it.

CHEIF · 02-28-2005, 06:39 PM

Hey Mr. Tom,

Thanks for the update. You Rock!!!

Good to see that kind of mileage is possible with the offroad package.

Joe Cheif

92TripleBlack · 02-28-2005, 08:08 PM

One tank of premium every week or two?

AggieLand_Titan · 02-28-2005, 08:15 PM

I'm getting just under 15mpg with mostly city driving on a new (2 tanks of 87 oct juice) 05 Crew 4x2.

mcginkleschmidt · 03-02-2005, 06:15 PM

There is not a category that allows me to participate in this gas mileage poll as I've never checked my gas mileage. The best I can do is simply to say that everytime I look at my fuel gauge it registers 1/4 tank and I start looking for a place to fill up. Maybe there is a hole in my tank.