5000 mile trip ahead for my S70!

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 10 Jul 2011, 06:25

Jesse:
What is your methodology for determining your mileage? Are ANY of these numbers calculated by estimating? For example do you drive 100 miles and then extrapolate to what a full tank would give you? Do you drive 25 miles and get great mileage and then assume you will get that for the entire tank? Do you use a trip computer to estimate average mpg and miles per tank or do you do it the right way and divide the actual miles driven by the actual gas used (my Volvo computer is off by about 8% in mpg and can be hundreds of miles off in miles per tank). Are you consistent in the way you fill the tank at the pump? I fill at medium speed until the nozzle clicks off then I fill slowly until it clicks again, then I stop.

The next time you make a long trip (I suggest at least 200 miles) fill your car up when you start, and when you reach your destination fill it again to the same fuel level. Fill it the same way (see above). When you fill the car up at your destination divide the actual miles driven by the actual gallons added. Do this in both directions or after a round-trip.

If you do this and report the results here I will accept these amazing mileage numbers you are getting and beg your pardon for doubting you.

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 10 Jul 2011, 12:50

JRL wrote:
IVIUSTANG wrote: I just got back from another trip today, at an average speed of 82 MPH and with A/C on, with a HEFTY tailwind, I got over 50 MPG on a full tank, I would imagine the tailwind wind was at 30 MPH+

- Jesse
Bull Sh&t!
Unless the tailwind also included going DOWNHILL I also will challenge that

This was from Jackson, Wyoming to Miles City, Montana, an elevation drop from 6237 to 3123 a distance of 429 miles. I brimmed my tank in Jackson before I left, when I arrived in Miles City I filled my tank with just over 8.3 gallons, which equates to about 51.6 MPG on that 429 mile segment of my trip.

gilhuly · Post by **gilhuly** » 10 Jul 2011, 17:17

If you draft semis at around 65 mph things get pretty efficient. Any drafting going on?

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jul 2011, 09:06

As a (formally trained

) journalist, let me offer this to you, Mustang: take pics. That's it. (But that's not all there is to it.)

Take one when... | of...

1. begin | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge
2. every 25 miles | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge
3. every fill up | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge & pump & receipt
4. end of trip | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge

Or if you can't do this admittedly militaristic regimen, just some photos of pump, odo, etc.

I can blur out anything like receipt card # etc in Photoshop. Just email it to me.

FWIW, I've met Mustang and I'm apt to believe him, but for the good of the community I'd rather have anyone claiming over say 38mpg do the above photos for "proof". The drafting question is a good one, gilhuly. You can boost at least by 5mpg doing this.

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jul 2011, 09:14

Oh, forgot to add, for those who don't know, Wyoming has HELLISH winds. My friends and I were blown off a highway there at night into the median when going about 60mph. There was some snow on the road, and we were in a 1980 Landcruiser (2dr) going from Denver to Jackson Hole, WY.

We were going straight, like most highways in the state are configured, there was wind and I don't know which direction it was blowing, and then we were in a gust, and then we were spinning.

Hellish winds.

All the major highways I've ever traveled in the state have wind blockers built on one side. I don't know the correct name for them to Google for a photo of them. Someone help me here.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Jul 2011, 12:44

For long trip far away from home, I strongly recommend an "Emergency Kit" specific for your car.

I have not had time to gather a list for the Volvo but I made a list for my 2007 Honda Odyssey Van (see link below), you can read through it to get the idea and modify to fit the Volvo.

Generic Stuff: GPS, Flashlight, Wood for scissor jack etc.
Specific Stuff: headlight, brake bulbs, fuses etc.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-2005-2 ... ricks.html

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 11 Jul 2011, 13:42

I have to agree with the incredible winds in the west. I remember driving into a wind west of Denver and just east of the Eisenhower Tunnel going to Steamboat Springs and having my windshield hit by jaw-breaker sized rocks that the wind had picked up. I could actually see the rocks flying through the air directly toward me. Scary. On the other side of the tunnel it was a calm and beautiful day!

I always had an emergency pack in the car when I lived in Steamboat and traveled the Rockies, upgraded every winter for cold weather survival. No cellphones back then.

zhenya · Post by **zhenya** » 11 Jul 2011, 13:55

matthew1 wrote: All the major highways I've ever traveled in the state have wind blockers built on one side. I don't know the correct name for them to Google for a photo of them. Someone help me here.

Snow fences.

Years ago I was driving across northern Utah in my old Honda Accord with a couple of bikes on the roof. Gas gauge didn't work, and I drove all over the country estimating it. No bikes on the roof it got 35mpg. With bikes it was normally 25mpg. I knew I had a strong headwind, so I was calculating based on 20mpg when I suddenly ran out almost 100 miles early! I was getting 12mpg!! That was a heck of a wind!

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jul 2011, 14:13

Yes, snow fences, thanks zhenya.

One more thing to add: When I met him, Mustang seemed like an intelligent, bright, socially normal person. I'm no psychologist, but I'd for instance invite him to stay at my house. Nothing about him seemed "off". We had lunch together and went to Volvo Specialists.

So consider this a pro vote for his honesty/integrity.

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 11 Jul 2011, 14:24

matthew1 wrote:As a (formally trained ) journalist, let me offer this to you, Mustang: take pics. That's it. (But that's not all there is to it.)

Take one when... | of...

1. begin | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge
2. every 25 miles | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge
3. every fill up | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge & pump & receipt
4. end of trip | odometer & dash, incl. fuel gauge

Or if you can't do this admittedly militaristic regimen, just some photos of pump, odo, etc.

I can blur out anything like receipt card # etc in Photoshop. Just email it to me.

FWIW, I've met Mustang and I'm apt to believe him, but for the good of the community I'd rather have anyone claiming over say 38mpg do the above photos for "proof". The drafting question is a good one, gilhuly. You can boost at least by 5mpg doing this.

Thanks Matt, I know your right; I need pictures. My junky SD card gave up the ghost on this trip. You are correct though, it was a hellish tailwind and the results I got are completely atypical of normal S70 fuel economy. Maybe I'll pop by and visit you in a month or two when I'm in Denver again!

- Jesse

5000 mile trip ahead for my S70!

Re: 5000 mile trip ahead for my S70!