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ode to my fuel gauge

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Old 08-10-2005 | 02:42 PM
  #1  
cleoent's Avatar
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From: Bay Area, CA
ode to my fuel gauge

Does anyone else get a kick out of their fuel gauge?

First half a tank 90-100 miles
Next 1/4 of a tank, 100 miles
last 1/4 of a tank before light goes on 15-20 miles
light goes on anywhere from 3-40 miles

I love you fuel gauge. :D
Old 08-10-2005 | 02:45 PM
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My gauge is pretty consistent, about 55 miles per 1/4 tank
Old 08-10-2005 | 02:46 PM
  #3  
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Screw gas mileage
 
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From: Marlton, NJ
Nice...try a haiku

I figure if I get 60 per quarter I'm happy
Old 08-10-2005 | 02:48 PM
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I get between 60 and 70 miles per 1/4 tank. I find it to be the most accurate fuel guage I've ever had.
Old 08-10-2005 | 02:53 PM
  #5  
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The Gauge Moves Slowly
I Pray for Three Hundred Miles
Alas, I Am Wrong

Last edited by Vaillant; 08-10-2005 at 06:38 PM.
Old 08-10-2005 | 02:53 PM
  #6  
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1st 1/4 = 60-75
2nd 1/4 = 125-150
3rd 1/4 = 185-200
Fuel Light = 250-270
Needle at E = 280-300

Filling up at the fuel light = 14 Gal. (17.8/19.2 MPG)
Filling up at E = 15.2 Gal. (18.4/19.7 MPG)

I shift at 5k in normal Traffic (but dont accelerate to fast) and cruise at 3500.
My driving is 70%/30% = City/Highway = 55mph or Below/55mph or above
Old 08-10-2005 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by KYLiquid
1st 1/4 = 60-75
2nd 1/4 = 125-150
3rd 1/4 = 185-200
Fuel Light = 250-270
Needle at E = 280-300

Filling up at the fuel light = 14 Gal. (17.8/19.2 MPG)
Filling up at E = 15.2 Gal. (18.4/19.7 MPG)

I shift at 5k in normal Traffic (but dont accelerate to fast) and cruise at 3500.
My driving is 70%/30% = City/Highway = 55mph or Below/55mph or above
DITTO :D
Old 08-10-2005 | 03:26 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by Vaillant
The Guage Moves Slowly
I Pray for Three Hundred Miles
Alas, I Am Wrong
LoL...

I think it's something with mentality--at full tank I seem to have good gas mileage, as it approaches the empty mark, I seem to have worse gas mileage

FS
Old 08-10-2005 | 03:34 PM
  #9  
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I always push my car hard at the last 1/4 tank, which kills my overall mileage I'm sure. I want to get the most gas in the tank that I can, without risking running out on my way to/from work.
Old 08-10-2005 | 03:47 PM
  #10  
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脾臓が痛みました
 
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From: Land of Peaches, Pecans, and Peanuts
Originally Posted by KYLiquid
1st 1/4 = 60-75
2nd 1/4 = 125-150
3rd 1/4 = 185-200
Fuel Light = 250-270
Needle at E = 280-300

Filling up at the fuel light = 14 Gal. (17.8/19.2 MPG)
Filling up at E = 15.2 Gal. (18.4/19.7 MPG)

I shift at 5k in normal Traffic (but dont accelerate to fast) and cruise at 3500.
My driving is 70%/30% = City/Highway = 55mph or Below/55mph or above
you and your flat land. try driving in a place with hills. :p
Old 08-10-2005 | 03:50 PM
  #11  
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wow, can't get above 16mpg to save my life. It's terrible. My biggest gripe except for the a/c performance is the TTv8 fuel mileage.
Old 08-10-2005 | 04:02 PM
  #12  
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Interestingly enough, whenever these type of threads came up in the past, most reported worse mileage at the beginning of the tank with the best mileage at the end. The reason was either a non-linear gauge or the fact that the gas tank is larger near the bottom than at the top. Now I see people reporting this as the most accurate gas gauge ever. Go figure!
I get 40 miles the 1st quarter, 60 miles the 2nd quarter, 80 miles the 3rd quarter, and 40 miles until the low fuel light comes on. Very consistent. 100% stop-and-go city driving.
Old 08-10-2005 | 04:15 PM
  #13  
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Wow Im usualy doing 180 - 200 miles per tank!! Is that the R flash or do we measure miles diferently??

Why are you getting 100 more miles out of your tank than me???
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Vaillant
The Guage Moves Slowly
I Pray for Three Hundred Miles
Alas, I Am Wrong
:D

Good one. I got < 14mpg on my last tank Now there was some extra idling, constant AC use, and commuting only on this tank - and the car is new (less than 1k miles).

I filled up the S2000 this morning. Same commuting loop, not as much A/C use but top always down, also less than 1k on the clock. Around 22mpg.

Premium was $2.509 and it was nickel off Wednesday today at the local Chevron.

The 8 mileage sux and the tiny tank just makes it more annoying....

Dennis
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:06 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by cleoent
wow, can't get above 16mpg to save my life. It's terrible. My biggest gripe except for the a/c performance is the TTv8 fuel mileage.
I finally broke the 20 MPG marker last weekend. It took 80% highway driving to do it.

My next goal is 24 MPG (est highway mileage reading for the RX-8... I am guess the EPA testing site is on top of a hill and the track goes downhill only)
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:19 PM
  #16  
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From: San Jose, California
I used to get 200 - 220 miles per tank. I've tried changing driving styles, which somehow improved mileage in the long run. Here's my recipe for good mileage on an RX-8:

- 89 or 91 octane (Chevron or Shell only)
- Upgraded Hot Spark Plugs
- R Flash
- REVi Intake with CAI/Ram Air

Keep the tach between 3000 - 4000 RPM. This is easy to do; in fact very intuitive. Just take the first number in your speed and drive at that Gear. I have noticed that our cars are tuned really well, even with its gearing. Example: 3500 RPMs is 35 MPH, 3000 RPMs is 40 MPH or 3000~ RPMs is 65 MPH. And don't forget to rev to redline everyday :D

If you don't believe any of this, then move on and enjoy your 15 MPG :D
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:24 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Xyntax
Keep the tach between 3000 - 4000 RPM. This is easy to do; in fact very intuitive. Just take the first number in your speed and drive at that Gear. I have noticed that our cars are tuned really well, even with its gearing. Example: 3500 RPMs is 35 MPH, 3000 RPMs is 40 MPH or 3000~ RPMs is 65 MPH. And don't forget to rev to redline everyday :D

If you don't believe any of this, then move on and enjoy your 15 MPG :D
I know you can get better mileage, but who wants to drive this way? I can drive the S like I stole it and get super mileage. I drove the M5 as hard as I wanted to and got 15mpg. Putzing around in the 8 gets bad mileage, REALLY putzing around might get better - but where is the fun?

Drive it like it was meant to be driven and then complain about the mileage with the rest of us :D

or get a Geo Metro or somthing

Dennis
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:28 PM
  #18  
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you must have a MT , my wife has a AT and about 1400 miles and the last 2 fill ups , [1] was at 20.7 and the 2nd one was @ 21 mpg .. her driving is city and hwy.
Do you keep the rpm's high ????
Old 08-10-2005 | 05:42 PM
  #19  
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From: The Blue, Educated State in the North
For me

1st 1/4 - 45-60 miles
2nd 1/4 - 100-125
3rd 1/4 - 170-205

I rarely let it get below 1/4 full so no real data on that one. I drive the car pretty hard, cruse on the highway at 75-85 most of the time. Split is 70/30 highway/city. I usually hover around 19mpg. I have yet to break 20. Now I'm sure if i kept my foot out of it i could get 20-22 mpg.

Considering I just paid $2.74/gal for gas, maybe I should keep my foot out of it...........
Old 08-10-2005 | 06:27 PM
  #20  
cleoent's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Xyntax
I used to get 200 - 220 miles per tank. I've tried changing driving styles, which somehow improved mileage in the long run. Here's my recipe for good mileage on an RX-8:

- 89 or 91 octane (Chevron or Shell only)
- Upgraded Hot Spark Plugs
- R Flash
- REVi Intake with CAI/Ram Air

Keep the tach between 3000 - 4000 RPM. This is easy to do; in fact very intuitive. Just take the first number in your speed and drive at that Gear. I have noticed that our cars are tuned really well, even with its gearing. Example: 3500 RPMs is 35 MPH, 3000 RPMs is 40 MPH or 3000~ RPMs is 65 MPH. And don't forget to rev to redline everyday :D

If you don't believe any of this, then move on and enjoy your 15 MPG :D
you're the 2nd person to tell me about the hot plugs... what do i say for my dealer to put them in? Or should i bite the bullet and buy them myself? I've asked numerous time, they basically tell me to go F*%* myself.
Old 08-10-2005 | 06:30 PM
  #21  
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by Xyntax
I used to get 200 - 220 miles per tank. I've tried changing driving styles, which somehow improved mileage in the long run. Here's my recipe for good mileage on an RX-8:

- 89 or 91 octane (Chevron or Shell only)
- Upgraded Hot Spark Plugs
- R Flash
- REVi Intake with CAI/Ram Air

Keep the tach between 3000 - 4000 RPM. This is easy to do; in fact very intuitive. Just take the first number in your speed and drive at that Gear. I have noticed that our cars are tuned really well, even with its gearing. Example: 3500 RPMs is 35 MPH, 3000 RPMs is 40 MPH or 3000~ RPMs is 65 MPH. And don't forget to rev to redline everyday :D

If you don't believe any of this, then move on and enjoy your 15 MPG :D
i run 93 octane Chevron all the time (when i cant its 93 Shell) i like these cause they are the best qualitys of gas in my area. I also find the chevron gives me better mpg.

Everytime I fill up I put in 3oz of Lucas complete fuel system treatment. I change the oil ever 3k miles, when driving i use the AC when moving and turn it off when stoped (unless im stoped for a long time, or in stop and go trafic, then its on.) I shift at 5k rpm but i dont floor it, just creeping up to 5k and flooring it to 5k is differnt. I cruise at 3500rpm. I hit redline in the first three gears at least once everytime i drive it. other than the the car is stock, with the newest flash, its an 04/05 build. I also make sure my airpressur is also correct. im coming up on 8k miles now on the car, when i do im chaing to all sythetic oils in the car (engine, trany, rear end) so ill see if that helps at all. I also change the plugs and fuel filter and air filter every 30k miles.

true as someone said its all flat land here.
Old 08-10-2005 | 06:41 PM
  #22  
XDEEDUBBX's Avatar
RX8 HA HA
 
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i only drive my 8 on the weekends..can't complain...
Old 08-10-2005 | 07:00 PM
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Yey for the S2000, but who's complaining about them here anyway? I have noticed that my 8 gets better mileage when I drive it the way I feel like driving it. This means redlining most of the time, but I always tend to cruise a gear between the sweet spots (3K - 4K RPM).

It's fun taking turns in 1st gear or 2nd gear and WOT at halfway the corner. I take it easy on my way home now, since the place I moved to has a lot of speed traps.
Old 08-11-2005 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by psbjames1970
I finally broke the 20 MPG marker last weekend. It took 80% highway driving to do it.

My next goal is 24 MPG (est highway mileage reading for the RX-8... I am guess the EPA testing site is on top of a hill and the track goes downhill only)
I don't think the EPA goes above 55 MPH. Every mileage thread in these forums includes statements like "I got 20 MPG by setting the cruise at 75". I can't wait until someone can resist the temptation to keep their speed down to EPA levels. I've tried and failed and finally decided I did not not buy the car to get decent mileage. :D
Old 08-11-2005 | 08:45 AM
  #25  
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Drive it like it was meant to be driven and then complain about the mileage with the rest of us
What does this mean? LOL

So, every sports car made should be hitting it's rev limit at all times...as much as possible? What fantasy land do you live in where there is no traffic and cops are blind...can I come over?

LOL

I take my 8 to 7K about once a day and to 9K about once a week...because, as stated above traffic and cops (who in Orlando have nothing better to do but give tickets it seems) who love University Blvd.

Hint for the O-Town people...beware of the end of the month...

Anyway, my gas looks like this:

100% city or 80/20 split (20% is for highway)

3/4 Tank 60-65 miles
1/2 Tank 130-145 miles
1/4 Tank 210-230 miles
Half between 1/4 and E (my fill up point) 250-265 miles

I fill up at 13.1-13.7 gallons of gas and I've averaged about 19.1 mpg for the life of my 8 which now has 4.8K. Best fuel economy so far (with only 25% highway use) has come in at 19.7 and my worst (100% city and as aggressive as I can legally drive (well most of the time)) 18.7 mpg.

I shift in the first 3 gears at about 4-4.5K and jump from 4th to 6th to cruise with. I cruise on the higest gear to keep the rev's down. (but...I normally cruise in the 2.5K range)

Unlike from what I hear from other people, I've seen that AC really has not done much of anything to my fuel economy. But...maybe I'll try running the AC ALL the time even when it's sorta cool in the morning to see what happens.

I think the fuel gauge is pretty consistant but it still tricks me sometimes and makes me "feel" like I'm getting bad fuel economy...only to hover at a point longer than normal to relax me back down again.

The lowest my low fuel light has gone off at is 249 miles and that normally means I hit something in the high 18's in regards to mpg. If it goes off at 252 miles it means I'm into the lower 19's and if it goes off at 258 then I'm into the high 19's.

My last two tanks I've used Citgo (dang it...brought me back into the 18's with that tank) and Mobil which performs a little worse than my fav...Chevron, but I can hit low 19's with it.

Chevron...is truly the best (in my opinion) for my 8.

Just beating the horse a little more...lol


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