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View Full Version : Kilo Tank - my turn!


lightfoot
07-21-2008, 08:30 PM
I had several mid-900's tanks but never a real 1000 mile tank. The 1100 mile tank in my log earlier this year included a partial fill for video purposes. So I decided to go for the kilo on this tank and put a 1 gallon container of gas in the back of the Insight.

I fill to only the first click, so this would be a close thing. I figured I'd need close to 100mpg (10.8 gallon tank), so I thought why not go for the double: a 1k tank at >100mpg.

Today would be the final day on this tank. It was sitting at 100.3mpg on the dashboard display, but that can be a tad off. I had to go past work about 35 miles for a followup visit with a dental surgeon, so I hoped for maybe 103 or 104 mpg to pull the average up a bit.

I never dreamed what would happen: got to the dentist at 108mpg (!!) despite a brisk cross-headwind. Hmmm, going with the wind on the way back to work might improve things, and it did: 110.2 into town at work, 108.8 parked on level 4 of the mpg-eating garage. Figured things would go downhill going home, but nope, home at 109.5mpg for 132.6 miles today, smashing my previous PB of 104.3mpg.

Tank ended up at 1058 miles, 102.7mpg avg, most of it on I-95. Did I mention that the last pip on the gas gauge went out while I was still about 5 miles from the gas station? But the fill was 10.3 gal so there was about 0.5 gal to spare.

This was some day. The Insight never ceases to amaze me.

Can anybody explain why it does so well on humid days in the mid-80's?

Right Lane Cruiser
07-21-2008, 09:18 PM
Congratulations, John!! Did you get any photos?

Humid air is less dense than dry air -- counter-intuitive, I know. Water vapor is not as massive as straight oxygen, nitrogen, methane, etc. That warm temp gives you the best lean-burn conditions and the reduced air resistance allows it at higher speeds as well.

Aether glider
07-21-2008, 10:33 PM
Congrats!
Now go get another one!
I'm working on my next one right now.

JusBringIt
07-21-2008, 10:47 PM
congratulations!! GLAD TO SEE THESE KILO TANKS! man these small cars are wreaking havoc on the oil industry. keep up the pressure!

lightfoot
07-22-2008, 05:33 AM
Congratulations, John!! Did you get any photos?

Humid air is less dense than dry air -- counter-intuitive, I know. Water vapor is not as massive as straight oxygen, nitrogen, methane, etc. That warm temp gives you the best lean-burn conditions and the reduced air resistance allows it at higher speeds as well.

Sorry never thought of photos. Anyway, was avoiding stops until I got to the gas station at the end of the day.

Thanks for the explanation. I knew hot humid air has a lower oxygen content/volume hence less power, but I never thought this might improve lean burn, which is key in the MT Insight.

Just noticed that yesterday's was just past my kilo post on CleanMPG.........

SadClown
07-22-2008, 07:36 AM
Wow, I heard of running it like your out of gas but this is crazy. I've been so happy to get to the pump to look at the great numbers I havn't yet pushed the limits on my tank. Thanks you have just given me a new goal.

lightfoot
07-22-2008, 08:00 AM
Wow, I heard of running it like your out of gas but this is crazy. I've been so happy to get to the pump to look at the great numbers I havn't yet pushed the limits on my tank. Thanks you have just given me a new goal.

Just be sure that when you close to empty you bring along a gallon of gas to pop into the tank if you feel the car sputter. Then add that gas into your calculations.

I wouldn't do this more than once or twice because it can be hard on the fuel pump to run dry and because you still get the same FE whether you run the tank all the way down or not. It's just a fun goal.

And yes going to the gas station is now an "event" we look forward to.

PaleMelanesian
07-22-2008, 09:11 AM
Humid air ABSOLUTELY is better for mileage. I've been tracking it for 1.5 years now (650 data points), and it's clear. My humid day commutes are 6.4% better than my dry days.

Temperature: 75-85 degrees is best. Below that, it starts to fall off. Above that, it's not quite as good, but not as bad as cooler temps are.

SadClown
07-22-2008, 09:38 AM
Just be sure that when you close to empty you bring along a gallon of gas to pop into the tank if you feel the car sputter. Then add that gas into your calculations.

I wouldn't do this more than once or twice because it can be hard on the fuel pump to run dry and because you still get the same FE whether you run the tank all the way down or not. It's just a fun goal.

And yes going to the gas station is now an "event" we look forward to.

Well thats no fun.:D I want to be like Kramer and push it to the limit:driveby1:

A024523
07-22-2008, 11:19 AM
That is very awesome John! :D Congrats. The Insight is my dream car, and for now I am stuck with my oldie but goodie. :)



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