Month of December 2021 (Nat'l Avg $3.385)

Welcome to December , folks. When I say "folks" , I am including he,she,and they and
any in-between.

*** edit by Gord ***

 

Gord ,

Filled up yesterday for $3.449 for 87 E10.
574.0 miles , fcd = 63.3 x .943 = 59.7 MPG.
9.606 gallons.

Today , 49 deg F in Naperville , 48 in Elk Grove.
35.0 miles , fcd = 64.1 x .943 = 60.4 MPG.

Going to Diane's tonight. Trip is between 17.8 and 18.2 miles ,
depending on stops.
This is typically a 74 MPG ( fcd )
trip in the summer , but I hope to hit 69-70.
Or at least 69.

 

Driving the 2008 Hyundai Accent around looking at the flood situations the last few weeks (166,000 miles & smaller wheels & tires right now), I was pleasantly surprised that it got 42MPG. Probably drove through a little more rain than I usually do, but November was warmer(?) than normal. Right now, the rain & fog look to have a hold of the Cascade Mountains(snow at high elevations?), but the western Washington valley (at least near here) has no rain. So I’ll probably get ready for a drive-about. Ohhhh……the sun is trying to break thru the clouds & my window has brighter sunlight coming in. I see a trace of blue sky! Yeah. I’ll be driving soon. Bye!
PS…..the drive was very nice, no rain except for a few drops. The lakes that formed on the farmlands are gone, altho the fields are soaked. The sun really didn’t come out, except for filtered light a few times. But, I drove a valley with a 3500foot mountain on one side & a 4500foot ridge on the other, both getting 90 inches of rain per year. No rain on me, but both the mtn. & ridge were wrapped in clouds…..wet too, I bet.

 

A good post that is still good vintage is a good post, INDEED!

 

Today I came to work from Northbrook via a slightly different route.
Willow Rd to Milwaukee Ave to Rte 45 to Golf Rd.
This route is good for time OR miles per gallon.
Today I chose getting to work in less time.
43 deg F , 17.8 miles , 37 minutes , fcd = 65.8 x .943 = 62.0 MPG.
Average speed was 29 MPH.

 

How to beat the EPA even at low temperatures? Have Gord drive yer ICE or EV.

 

12-2-21:

 

Today , 32 deg F in Naperville , 31 in Elk Grove.
35.0 miles , fcd = 60.1 x .943 = 56.7 MPG.

 

Today , 31 deg F in Northbrook , 32 in Elk Grove.
This commute goes west , then south.
A tough headwind (W18) caused the Prius to struggle.
17.8 miles , 30 MPH average speed , fcd = 56.4 x .943 = 53.2 MPG.

 

Today , 11 deg F in0 Naperville and Elk Grove Village.
35.0 miles , fcd = 56.6 x .943 = 53.4 MPG.
Could be worse. Not a LOT worse.

I did use heat when I was on the highway.

 

Oh boy! Here comes WINTER!

Good job.

 

All ya needed was a heavy winter motorcycle riding suit…..with heavy gloves & helmet. If the windows fogged up, just roll the windows down & stick your head out the window. Hope there aren’t too many blind spots.

 

Today , 25 deg F in Elk Grove.
17.2 miles . no highway , no heat.
fcd = 66.9 x .943 = 63.1 MPG.

Yes, there was a tailwind.

 

With cars that have automatic grille shutters (like mine), I am wondering if NOT calling for cabin heat when driving on the highway for long periods may actually force the car to decide to open the shutters to cool off the ICE. That would be detrimental to the aerodynamics. I've seen some lower MPG segments on a recent road trip that I cannot account for, even with higher speeds (going with posted speed limit). Maybe it was just because it was the New Jersey Turnpike.

I don't have enough data since there are additional factors involved, e.g. heat pump heater and whether the car will pull engine heat intelligently to save battery reserves.

 

I recently bought a Sedici riding jacket. With all the liners in , it weighs about 10 lbs. No pants yet. The jacket was $270.
This thing should be pretty warm , haven't tried it yet.

 

That would not be a very good look...

I've saved my riding leather jacket and an Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit... I don't know what for. Faint hope that I would ever ride again?... Oh, couple of Bell helmets, too.