OFFICIAL Fuel Mileage Discussion Thread

[GMan4911]

Originally Posted by jeffdaman

The reason I am obsessing over these number is because when gas goes back to $4/gallon I will not have to ability to make my car payment. I needed the car to get at least 34mpg to break even on my budget; in 15,000 miles it has averaged 31.8mpg. I'm in a really lousy position because I had faith in Hyundai. My only hope now is to have a semi run this POS over! I purchased the car in May when there were very real threats of $6/gal. Now I have a $24,000 car note which amounts to $60/month more in payment. If the car had just saved me 6MPG (I drive 33,000miles/year) it would have made up the difference. If I could even just make Hyundai buy this POS back and be left with the $4000 extra that I had roll over from my last car I would be happy. As it stands they've really really screwed my life up. And what REALLY pisses me off is that they would insult me with a measly $55/15000miles for my "loss of 1MPG." It's a hard pill to swallow knowing that I may lose my home and ability to provide for my daughter over a lie that a billion dollar company shrugs off. If I seem bitter it's an understatement; because if I publicly posted what I'm really thinking it would get me into trouble.

Since you're currently getting 31.8, learning to drive more efficiently should get you that 34. Maybe more.

Originally Posted by Em-squared

I'm not trying to judge, because ever since I lost my previous job, I have been in a much more tight place financially. Even after losing my job, though, we switched my Elantra to the electric car, and I would say it's about a wash. Anyhow, though, it's bad when you're in such a tight place financially that you have that narrow of wiggle room.

Well I'm glad at least one person understands.

[alex2006sonata]

Originally Posted by Winkle

Just curious but all these mpg numbers are off your car's computer correct? Not actual calculations based on distance-traveled/fill up? Because the vehicle's computer is consistently generous on the fuel economy by 2 to 3mpg... so if you're seeing 32-33mpg then you're actually getting 29-30mpg.

Well my computer doesn't seem to be off anywhere near 3 MPG. I would say between 1 to at most 2 is a possibility. I do both hand calculations and computer calculations. The only time I rely solely on the computer is if I reset mid-tank to test something. The problem as already stated is that the odometers tend to read slightly under actual mileage (within acceptable range though). Also, fuel pumps shut off at different points and I don't frequent one station, so I am constantly getting gas from different stations and pumps. Both of these factors lead to a margin of error with hand calculations too. The only real way to know is to do a long-term test where small differences in pump shut-offs won't make much of a difference, but I haven't done a long term test yet. I have never seen my hand calculations exceed 2 MPG and normally are closer to 1.5 different. In any case, they have been close enough where I feel comfortable relying on what the computer states for discussion purposes.

So I guess the trip where I pulled in the driveway with the computer showing 40.3 MPG after about a 170 mile trip, could have been closer to 39 MPG. In any case, that works from me. I also had my driver side window down and had about 10 miles of city driving mixed in. This was in early fall, so I don't believe winter mix gas was being used yet. I'm sure it would be a little more difficult trying to get that in the winter months.

[JaySi09]

I'm here to rant again, *sigh* second consecutive tank with 26mpg hand calculated although the computer has been showing 23-27mpg which is about the same i'm getting.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by jeffdaman

It's a hard pill to swallow knowing that I may lose my home and ability to provide for my daughter over a lie that a billion dollar company shrugs off.

Even at 33K miles/year, the total cost of getting 31.8 mpg vs. 34 mpg is about $240 or $20/month. Of which Hyundai is going to cut you a debit card for about half this.

So $10/month extra is going to cause you to lose your home?

- Mark

[OkieRich]

Originally Posted by markjenn

Even at 33K miles/year, the total cost of getting 31.8 mpg vs. 34 mpg is about $240 or $20/month. Of which Hyundai is going to cut you a debit card for about half this.

So $10/month extra is going to cause you to lose your home?

- Mark

If money is this tight, I certainly feel for him. We have had difficult times in the past, as has everyone else! But I have to question with financial ends so difficult to meet, why an individual would buy a vehicle knowing it's monthly outlay could push you and your monetary limits to the brink of insanity and destruction?

"When your out-go exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall!"

[Em-squared]

Yeah, I mean our budget is being pushed (as in, we'd probably be smarter to drive used cars), but if I thought for a second that my car would come between us and not having a place to live, I would definitely have to give it up for something cheaper. I don't think the status of having a nice, new car is worth the constant worry that you could fall off the deep end financially.

[markjenn]

Originally Posted by markjenn

Even at 33K miles/year, the total cost of getting 31.8 mpg vs. 34 mpg is about $240 or $20/month. Of which Hyundai is going to cut you a debit card for about half this.

Actually, I was being way pessimistic about Hyundai's reimbursement. According to Hyundai's web site, they're going to pay me about $31 for 3500 miles of driving. Extrapolating this out to 33K miles/year, I compute Hyundai will probably fork over about $300/yr, more than covering the 31.8 vs. 34 mpg shortfall. With their payment, the actual mpg equivalent is almost 35 mpg.

- Mark

[OkieRich]

I had once heard that "a large majority of Americans were only one paycheck away from starvation." That statement is a bit disturbing. Hope there's no truth in it. But if it is, it's really, really sad.

[Winkle]

Originally Posted by alex2006sonata

Well my computer doesn't seem to be off anywhere near 3 MPG. I would say between 1 to at most 2 is a possibility. I do both hand calculations and computer calculations. The only time I rely solely on the computer is if I reset mid-tank to test something. The problem as already stated is that the odometers tend to read slightly under actual mileage (within acceptable range though). Also, fuel pumps shut off at different points and I don't frequent one station, so I am constantly getting gas from different stations and pumps. Both of these factors lead to a margin of error with hand calculations too. The only real way to know is to do a long-term test where small differences in pump shut-offs won't make much of a difference, but I haven't done a long term test yet. I have never seen my hand calculations exceed 2 MPG and normally are closer to 1.5 different. In any case, they have been close enough where I feel comfortable relying on what the computer states for discussion purposes.

So I guess the trip where I pulled in the driveway with the computer showing 40.3 MPG after about a 170 mile trip, could have been closer to 39 MPG. In any case, that works from me. I also had my driver side window down and had about 10 miles of city driving mixed in. This was in early fall, so I don't believe winter mix gas was being used yet. I'm sure it would be a little more difficult trying to get that in the winter months.

I'd be flipping out with joy if I got your numbers. I'll be okay with 32 mpg combined and happy with 34. I used 34 for the GT in my calculations when I ruled out a VW Golf TDI. Even if the TDI was better by 6-8mpg it would take at least 6 years for me to make back the premiums they charge here for a TDI on gas savings alone... but a 12mpg difference changes everything.

Oh well. I am hoping I'll see a 2mpg improvement after my first oil change, I'm thinking putting in synthetic but some people are warning me that dino-oil is better for "breaking in" the engine.