MPG variations on long road trip
12-25-2010, 07:19 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
MPG variations on long road trip
I was surprised by the MPG range for "highway" driving on a road trip from Houston, TX to New York City.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
12-25-2010, 09:34 AM
#2
Senior Member
thats not surprising at all. Wind as well as temperature and definitely hills can have a huge affect on mileage. The only surprising part is that you think you got 18MPG all the time with your chevy! 
12-25-2010, 10:39 AM
#3
I was surprised by the MPG range for "highway" driving on a road trip from Houston, TX to New York City.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
12-25-2010, 03:05 PM
#4
Senior Member
I was surprised by the MPG range for "highway" driving on a road trip from Houston, TX to New York City.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
The first 600 miles, on the flat and level, driving Interstate highways from Houston to Mississippi, I got 19 mpg. Then the route headed north to Chattanoga, TN, and the mileage for the rest of the trip dropped to 17 mpg. The difference was strong crosswinds and hilly terrain.
The surprise to me was that I lost 2 mpg and it was still "highway" driving.
NOTE: The mileages were calculated from real values taken at fill-ups. I find the displayed value on the instrument panel to be a good indication of mileage, but not accurate. It can be plus or minus 2 MPG from my true calculated values.
Even though the fluctuation in MPG surprised me, I'm pleased with the overall performance when compared to my previous truck, a 2001 Chevy Silverado extended cab with 5.3L and 2WD that would get 18 mpg highway. My 2010 F-150 Platinum is 4WD and weighs 1,000 pounds more and gets about the same mileage.
12-25-2010, 03:11 PM
#5
Senior Member
I agree with Shortride. Reading the owner's manual, it will tell you your avg mpg is based on the last 500 miles, not just that tank. If you reset your MPG, it still uses the last 500 miles.
12-25-2010, 04:37 PM
#6
Then why will it read 99mpg if I reset it let off the gas going down hill, shouldnt it revert back to the previous average right before the reset? Once you reset the MPG it starts fresh and calculates new MPG numbers. Now the miles till E function I fully belive it is over the last 500 miles reguardless.
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12-25-2010, 06:20 PM
#8
FEs Rule
Join Date: Jul 2010
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AVG MPG (L/100km)
Average fuel economy displays your average fuel economy in miles/gallon
or liters/100 km.
If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing distance traveled
by gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled),
your figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:
or liters/100 km.
If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing distance traveled
by gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled),
your figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:
•
Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•
Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
service stations
•
Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•
Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 gallon (liter)
To determine your average highway fuel economy, do the following:
1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the SELECT/RESET stem (press and hold for
two seconds in order to reset the function) after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
For more information refer to Essentials of good fuel economy in the
To determine your average highway fuel economy, do the following:
1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the SELECT/RESET stem (press and hold for
two seconds in order to reset the function) after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
For more information refer to Essentials of good fuel economy in the
Maintenance and Specifications chapter
12-25-2010, 06:38 PM
#9
Verified be for I posted from page 90 in the 2009 F150 owners manual:
Distance to empty (DTE)
Select this function to estimate
approximately how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition off
when refueling to allow this feature
to correctly detect the added fuel.
The DTE function will display XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW and
sound a chime for one second when you have approximately 50 miles
(80 km) to empty. If you RESET this warning message, this display and
chime will return within 10 minutes.
DTE is calculated using a running average fuel economy, which is based
on your recent driving history of 500 miles (800 km). This value is not
the same as the average fuel economy display. The running average fuel
economy is re-initialized to a factory default value if the battery is
disconnected.approximately how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition off
when refueling to allow this feature
to correctly detect the added fuel.
The DTE function will display XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW and
sound a chime for one second when you have approximately 50 miles
(80 km) to empty. If you RESET this warning message, this display and
chime will return within 10 minutes.
DTE is calculated using a running average fuel economy, which is based
on your recent driving history of 500 miles (800 km). This value is not
the same as the average fuel economy display. The running average fuel
economy is re-initialized to a factory default value if the battery is
Perhaps he should verify info before it is put out.
Last edited by manic5_2001; 12-25-2010 at 06:41 PM.
12-25-2010, 10:05 PM
#10
Politically incorrect
When you reset your average mpg (it goes to 0.0) the computer averages mpg from that point on. It sees starting at mile zero when you reset.
Cheap trick.......reset it at the top of a long downhill grade. You'll average 25-26 for a while, but in the end, it is what it is.........a damn fine truck that gets around 18, ha ha ha. Merry Christmas!
Cheap trick.......reset it at the top of a long downhill grade. You'll average 25-26 for a while, but in the end, it is what it is.........a damn fine truck that gets around 18, ha ha ha. Merry Christmas!