- #444 of 611
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2008 Ltd Mileage & Ethanol
by dfurnier
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Aug 19, 2008 (2:32 pm)
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We picked up ours in May. Recently took a 3000 mi trip and averaged almost 32mpg (based on my calculations) with a fairly heavy load at about 65-70mph. The car consistently claimed 33-35.
I prefer to use 100% gasoline as a personal protest, but it is very hard to find, at least as regular. (I believe ethanol is a terrible waste of tax dollars, raises food prices, etc.)
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- #445 of 611
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Re: 2008 Avalon Linited gas mileage [burl]
by wwest
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Aug 19, 2008 (3:51 pm)
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Replying to: burl (Aug 19, 2008 1:53 pm)
"..change the gear ratios..."
Well, yes, and...no....
If you have a CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission then regardless of road speed the engine can ALWAYS be made to operate at the lowest possible RPM, lowest frictional component, most optimal FE, wherein it just barely produces enough torque to move the car along at the desired speed and road conditions.
So it is the engine's low RPM torque production capability that is the real determining factor for constant speed cruising on the hwy.
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- #446 of 611
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Re: 2008 Ltd Mileage & Ethanol [dfurnier]
by mackabee
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Aug 19, 2008 (8:32 pm)
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Replying to: dfurnier (Aug 19, 2008 2:32 pm)
"I prefer to use 100% gasoline as a personal protest, but it is very hard to find, at least as regular. (I believe ethanol is a terrible waste of tax dollars, raises food prices, etc.) "
I agree with you there. I read somewhere that it costs more to make the ethanol than the benefit if any we get from it.
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- #447 of 611
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Re: 2008 Avalon Linited gas mileage [doug3030]
by tkevinc1
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Aug 20, 2008 (4:13 am)
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Replying to: doug3030 (Aug 16, 2008 1:46 pm)
On a recent business trip to FL I tracked my mileage doing both a calculation as well as taking the number provided by the car. I drove the first 230 miles on a highway with a 65 mph limit and a full tank. The car said 32.1. I stopped for lunch and filled back up. The calculation was 32.3. I drove the next 280 miles on I-95 between 70 and 80 mph. The car indicated 33.8 and the calculation was 33.2. Both fill ups were with 10% ethanol as clearly labeled on the pump. Not only did the car get 32 mpg+ on 10% ethanol but contrary to popular logic it got better mileage above 70 mph. Go figure.
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- #448 of 611
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Re: 2008 Avalon Linited gas mileage [tkevinc1]
by fin
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Aug 20, 2008 (6:27 am)
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Replying to: tkevinc1 (Aug 20, 2008 4:13 am)
Go figure: The variation in mpg is due to something other than the fuel. Alcohol has less heat energy than gasoline per pound so mileage must be reduced when pump gas is diluted with ethanol. This is basic carbon chemistry and has nothing to do with the car or the trip. Also, a vehicle travelling at a higher speed uses significantly more energy (based on the standard ABC power formula) to maintain that speed. The difference between 60 and 65 mph is about 25% so going to 75 is... wow..... The point here is that actual mpg can be difficult to determine due to a variety of factors such as putting gas in a tank and thinking it's full, odometer error, etc.
But at 32+ mpg... that's great! Who cares about exact speed or fuel composition... 
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- #449 of 611
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Re: Avalon going away? [mackabee]
by geo123
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Aug 20, 2008 (8:29 am)
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Replying to: mackabee (Jul 18, 2008 8:46 pm)
Mack,
Any more thoughts on the replacement of the Avalon? Maybe in 2010? It seems that the 2009 will be like the 2008 except the VSC will be standard from looking at some of the SE dealers inventory.
Thanks,
George
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- #450 of 611
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Re: 2008 Avalon Linited gas mileage [tkevinc1]
by tfelton
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Aug 20, 2008 (11:38 am)
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Replying to: tkevinc1 (Aug 20, 2008 4:13 am)
Just to jump in here with my 2 cents;, a couple of months ago we drove to Utah in an '08 Avalon Ltd. I did a test. From Hot Springs, AR to Shawnee, OK (just east of OK City) I did the speed limit (75 on I40 in OK) and coming back from El Reno, OK (just west of OK City) to Hot Springs, AR, I did 5 miles under the speed limit. Neither way was there any traffic to speak of. I got better mileage at the speed limit: 31.3 vs 30.8 at 5 miles below. Of course this is very unscientific and there are a lot of variables and I don't know if I was using anything with ethanol; all though, in Hot Springs it was Valero and in El Reno it was Murphy (Wal-Mart). As far as the overall trip is concerned we drove for 10 days, 4 days of which was city driving and 2 days of mountain driving in CO. That gave us an overall of 29.8 mpg. Also, when I fill up I squeeze in as much as I can.
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- #451 of 611
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Re: 2008 Avalon Linited gas mileage [tfelton]
by aus1
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Aug 21, 2008 (4:01 am)
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Replying to: tfelton (Aug 20, 2008 11:38 am)
After reading the posted mileage, I feel pretty good. On a recent 290 mi trip at 60mph with no a/c, I got 37 mpg.
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- #452 of 611
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Re: Avalon going away? [geo123]
by mackabee
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Aug 24, 2008 (9:18 pm)
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Replying to: geo123 (Aug 20, 2008 8:29 am)
Haven't heard anymore on it. As soon as I find something out I'll let you guys know.
PS, we are keeping the Solara convertible. The hardtop is gone after 08.
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- #453 of 611
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Re: Avalon going away? [mackabee]
by tjc78
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Aug 25, 2008 (3:49 am)
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Replying to: mackabee (Aug 24, 2008 9:18 pm)
Mack.. is the Solara getting the 3.5?
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