LaCrosse Gas Mileage Calculations

Last post on Jun 21, 2008 at 7:17 PM

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#1 of 1 LaCrosse Gas Mileage Calculations by drmike Jun 21, 2008 (7:17 pm)
I've been reviewing posts in this forum as a prelude to a vehicle purchase and have been amazed at the variance in owner reported fuel mileage between virtually identical cars (3.8 V6). Some report over 32 mpg hwy, while others note they are getting only 19 or 20 mpg. It seems obvious that some of you are using the on-board readout to determine gas mileage, while others are hand calculating. Simply looking at your on-board readout and accepting it as accurate might make you feel better, but I can tell you straight up - any resemblance to your readout numbers and actual mileage, is purely coincidental. The only way to accurately determine your car's mileage - any car's mileage - is by hand calculation. Fill the tank up with as much fuel as it will hold (not simply to where the pump shuts off, as all pumps have different shut of points), drive the car and note how many miles you have driven since last fill-up, and then fill it ALL THE WAY up again, noting the number of gallons it took. Divide the miles driven since previous fill-up by the number of gallons it took to fill it up. Now you REALLY know what your mileage was over the roadways traversed. By the way, almost without exception, you will notice your on-board readout will show you making better mileage than the actual mileage produced by hand calculation. Gee, I wonder why??

#1 of 1: LaCrosse Gas Mileage Calculations by drmike; Jun 21, 2008 (7:17 pm)

I've been reviewing posts in this forum as a prelude to a vehicle purchase and have been amazed at the variance in owner reported fuel mileage between virtually identical cars (3.8 V6).

Some report over 32 mpg hwy, while others note they are getting only 19 or 20 mpg.

It seems obvious that some of you are using the on-board readout to determine gas mileage, while others are hand calculating.

Simply looking at your on-board readout and accepting it as accurate might make you feel better, but I can tell you straight up - any resemblance to your readout numbers and actual mileage, is purely coincidental.

The only way to accurately determine your car's mileage - any car's mileage - is by hand calculation. Fill the tank up with as much fuel as it will hold (not simply to where the pump shuts off, as all pumps have different shut of points), drive the car and note how many miles you have driven since last fill-up, and then fill it ALL THE WAY up again, noting the number of gallons it took. Divide the miles driven since previous fill-up by the number of gallons it took to fill it up.

Now you REALLY know what your mileage was over the roadways traversed.

By the way, almost without exception, you will notice your on-board readout will show you making better mileage than the actual mileage produced by hand calculation.

Gee, I wonder why??