05 HCH, 19k miles currently. In case it matters my oil has been Mobil 1 0-20 since 10k miles, I just had a change at 16,000.

Well I've had 3, 600-mile tanks so I figured I'd take a leap and try for 700.

I filled the tank all the way to the very top (including the filler neck)...

It looked promising for the first 1/2 tank... 49.9 average MPG, then it rained for 8 days straight and the mileage average was only 43 (for those 8 days, I reset the 2nd tripometer to see if the rain effected it)... the last couple days was higher tho and I ended up with an average of 47.6 across the entire tank.

So guess where I ended up running out of gas?
(yes I had a small gas can with gas in it, intending on running it bone-dry).

698.9 miles!

SOOOO CLOSE!! It sputtered and died at 698.8 miles, I coasted to .9.
I put a splash of gas from the gas can into it, drove 1 mile to the nearest gas station and re-filled right up to the top of the filler neck.
14.60 gallons. which is 47.86mpg, which is about right since about 15 miles before it ran out, the ave. MPG moved up to 47.6. Take out the "splash" I put in there and it works out almost perfectly.

So... off I go again in my pursuit of the 700 mile tank.

I think it will happen this time.. warmer temps, probably less rain (it rained like 8 days in a row).

First 25 miles = 62mpg but given history I'm sure that won't be the norm.


That also, in case anyone wasn't sure... answers the question of how much gas is in a tank plus the filler neck... right durn close to 14.6 to 14.7 gallons.

 

is that a california or a "clean state" car? with the 11 gallon tank?

I know someone was able to put 15+ gallons in their 13 gallon tank. There is a photo in the gallery.

 

Isn't running out of gas bad for the car?

 

I went at 729 with my 2006 HCH, but had no intention to see where it will die. no spare gas in trunk either... . I filled up about 12.2 gallons or so, to the first click as I always do. I was 90 miles after the empty light came on... I know, I know... but it was no gas station last 20 miles... so, i had to push...

This was freeway most of it... speed was 53-55
Departed from Tustin CA, with full tank, went there (Phoenix AZ), stayed overnight, came back, with the same tank pretty good... It can be done better, I had few speed episodes I did for fun, most likely this car can go way better, and do a 800-850 tank in hot weather on a flat road with constant speed 53-55

 

The tank normally gets about 12.5-13 gallons if it isn't totally out so I gotta assume it's the 13gal.

Sure running a car out of gas can be bad... sediment in the tank (but that's what filters are for)... and some arguments about overheating the fuel pump.

I myself don't agree about the overheating fuel pump argument, it just isn't logical... if a fuel pump overheats every time the tank gets under a certain amout of gas then we'd see fuel pumps going out all over the place. BUt hey this isn't the place to argue that.

06 HCH's have better milage off the bat, and being able to go 53-55 on flat roads for the entire 700 miles I"m sure I could average 58-62mpg easily. But this was mixed driving in "real life" situations (it's not often people are able to drive 700 miles on flat roads basically without stopping). It's also with 2 kids, a wife and trunk full of baseball equipment (he's a catcher, all the gear, 12 baseballs, 3 bats, and 3 gloves) and a stroller.

 

Ouch! I just did a map check and it looks like Tustin is a suburb of LA, thus you take I-10 the whole way. Other than the sheer pain of having that drive take so much longer, I don't understand how you didn't get rear-ended the whole way, considering the speed limit is 70 in CA and 75 in AZ. Doing 15 to 22mph under the limit is a pretty big speed difference! Speed differential is what causes wrecks on the highway. That's the approach velocity equivilent of going 97 mph when the rest of traffic is doing 75. You are a brave individual!

 

As i said, I had a few speed episodes... but its easy to drive 53-55 on first or second lane... no problem.

 

Yeah, some folks are really determined to get the absolute best mileage in their hybrids...even at the expense of creating a dangerous situation to others. I did that for a short while...not worth it.

 

You should NEVER top off a gas tank, especially to the top of the filler neck.

http://www.epa.gov/donttopoff/

It is not good for the environment, you pay for gas you don't use, you can foul both the vapor recovery system in your car and also the one at the pump, possibly causing harmful vapors and ozone to be released in the air.

http://www.sbcapcd.org/edu/dont-top-off.htm

" Spilling a "shot glass" (one ounce) of gasoline produces the same volatile organic compound emissions as a car driving 56 miles."

Are the extra miles worth those risks? That is for you and you alone to decide.

 

dude:


unlike these other folks, i would like to CONGRATULATE you for trying your hardest to get the most out of your vehicle. I think that was lost in all the rants.

I do agree that perhaps overfilling or driving noticably slower than the other vehicles on the road might not be worth the effort, but regardless.....

WAY TO GO