TRIP! Starting next Friday I will be driving 1800 miles from Boston to Miami!!! I plan to buy a good tire pressure gauge and will increase to 40 PSI before I leave. My TCH now has about 1550 miles, so it is broken in. I will let you all know how I am doing MPG-wise on this trip.

Day 1 is Bos-DC.
Day 2 is DC - Savannah and
Day 3 Savannah-Miami.

I so far have averaged about 35mpg, but my latest tank (almost 500 miles) has be pegged about 39.5 mpg, so my average below will go up this time.

I will try and use the A/C sparingly, but I know as I pass NJ I'll need it more.

It's downright cold here now, about 60 out and raining. I've barely used the A/C since I've gotten the TCH, as it hasn't been that hot out here in Boston.

 

I'm jealous. My mom lives in southern Florida about an hour north of Miami. I'd love to be taking that same drive. But I start out in southern Virginia, so it's only 900 miles.

 

It will be interesting to see how your MPG changes with the increased A/C usage.

 

In my opinion, using the AC does not make that much of a difference in FE since the compressor is electric and not using horsepower from the ICE to power it. Other than one moring going to work the AC is always on. Too humid!! Average is still above 40mpg.

Have fun driving on your trip. If you keep your speed at the limit I would imagine you should average 41 to 42 mpg.

 

Easy test for A/C - I do it all the time....

While at cruising speed (either highway or city with cruise control on and A/C on) do this:

1. Look at your current real-time MPG and remember it.
2. Press the A/C button to turn the compressor off.
3. Look at the current real-time MPG again. Let it settle for a few seconds.
4. Press the A/C button back on.
5. Look at the real-time MPG again.

I usually see a 5-12 MPG drop with A/C on, depending on the speed and the road levels.

 

Wow, that's a huge hit! From 13 to 30% of overall milage? I used to have a Nissan pickup 4x4 4cylnder that was quite underpowered. I could actually feel a drop in acceleration when the A/C was turned on, accompanied by a loud 'clunk' as the clutch engaged.

 

I also find similar drop in fuel efficiency, but it's a pretty unscientific test.

 

I regularly drive from San Diego to Los Angeles at 65 MPH with cruise control. My informal observations lead me to believe there's about a 2-3 MPG difference under those conditions.

 

My trip starts today! This morning I finally got around to checking the tire pressure and get this:
29psi LF, 28psi RFpsi, 27.5 RR, 28.5psi LR

These are from the factory/dealer. What crap. If you haven't checked your tire pressure, do so!

I upped the pressure in all tires to 37psi. You can see my mileage up until now below. I will probably fill up in NJ since it's cheap, and maybe lower the tire pressure since I will be driving in a deluge in DC.

I'll try and update mileage figures from the hotel tonight in DC.

BTW, if you are on I-95 today from CT through DC (1pm-8pm) and see a Blue Ribbon TCH with MA plates honk and wave, it's probably ME!

Tomorrow I hit the DC-Savannah run and finish the trip on I-95 Sunday from Savannah to Miami. Again, if you see me wave and honk! I'll be on the lookout for TCH's, keeping count!

 

Made it to DC. No one replied, but that's ok.

450 miles or so, I never stopped for gas...I still have 1/3 tank left. Displays states 43.5mpg. I will manually calculate it when I fill up tomorrow in VA somewhere.

The MPG gauge had said 44.4mpg, but then I hit the rain and wind and it slipped. Car handled well despite the rain and the tires at 37psi.