Changes in Gas Milelage

[craigatcsi]

I left this past Sunday morning from Omaha, NE heading to Rockford, IL. I arrived Sunday afternoon, stayed Monday and left for home Tuesday morning, getting home around 3ish.

 

One thing I noticed was the large change in gas mileage. The tank I filled in Rockford to come home, at a Walmart, got me 46mpg. The tank I bought halfway between Des Moines and Omaha got me 32mpg!! it was like this heading out there too!! We have taken trips to the East and West Coasts over the years and have found the same.

 

Is the mixture of the fuels different?

 

Altitude?

 

Craigr

[MikeWa]

Yes on both counts plus wind and speed.

Mike

[Peder_y2k]

Does anyone know if there is a listing of thermal energy content for gasoline sold across the USA? It strikes me that if the thermal energy content of gasoline is low, then fuel economy will also be low, and conversely for the high.

Octane is posted at the pump, but what about BTU, or some such?

Back in the olden days (1960's) a gallon of gasoline produced some 120,000 BTU, diesel 130,000 BTU, and propane 110,000 BTU, and hydrogen around 95,000BTU (AFAIR)

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[Big Lou]

I was in a circle of mechanics 4th of july.

4 bike mechanics in one week had drained 5 tanks of gas from different bikes because of PREMIUM GAS

 

IT SETS IN THE tank at the station for so long it starts to seperate they had a whole gallon of clear alcohol from one tank alone

 

I went to midgrade and my problems went away

[dacheedah]

Ethanol does not burn efficiently, the more the lower the fuel economy. It depends on what blends your politicians want them to run

[craigatcsi]

If it is an Altitude thing, I may have to look into resetting it to Omaha's Altitude.

I do have a Colortune, I guess that I will have to figure out how to use it.

craigr

[dacheedah]

If it is an Altitude thing, I may have to look into resetting it to Omaha's Altitude.

I do have a Colortune, I guess that I will have to figure out how to use it.

craigr

 

R u going to the international??

[craigatcsi]

No, I doubt I will take a 'Real Vacation' this year.

I am saving to get mine Triked.

I have never made that gathering, I may have to try once I get Triked.

craigr