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estimating mpg......

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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:01 PM
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Default estimating mpg......

OK so I'm having a mental lapse here - what factors do I need to determine mpg -
Example: I put in 5.13 gallons and ended up at a needle's-width over a half tank. I was just over the red bar before putting the gas in. I drove 89 miles and now I'm at just under 1/4 tank. I figure I must have the 17 gallon tank, because of how much I had after the 5.13 went in. So, 17/4=4.25, right?
Then somehow I divided something into something else and got 20.-something, then I divided something else into something else and got 18.
I'm missing something obvious here and it's right on the tip of what's left of my brain. Like how do I know exactly how much is in the tank at any given time? Oh yeah, I just put in a 700R4 and overdrive kicks butt!

bah.....

So stop laughing at me, I'm on lunch at work, and have been measuring paper, cutting, printing, and quoting numbers all day and my brain has finally locked up LOL....
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:08 PM
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I have never done it that way lol. I fill it all the way up then after I drive and need gas I fill it up again then figure MPG. That way there is a constant.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:08 PM
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Next time you fill up, reset your odometer. Rack up your mileage and next time you go to fill up again, take the number of miles on the odometer and divide it by the number of gallons you put in to top it off. Should get your mpg.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:11 PM
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Miles...Per...Gallon.
Miles/Gallon.

And don't rely on your gas gauge for making these calculations. Too variable. Fill the tank, drive, fill again to the same level and then make your calculations based on that.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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You really can not use your gas gauge for estimating fuel mileage. The float/gauge mechanism is not precise enough for even making approximations. You could 'calibrate' your meter system by filling up you car whenever the gauge is exactly on each of the scale marks, then filling up to find out how much gas is gone at each mark; but then you would still have to fill up at the same gas station and pump each time to compensate for slope of the driveway, etc. etc.

Anyway, you must record the odometer mileage at each fill up...follow the same procedure at each fill up {fill to the same point on the neck of the fill tube each time} and record the number of gallons used (at least to the nearest 1/10 gallon). Then it is a simple matter of dividing the miles driven by the quantity of fuel used during that same period. If you want something that will provide you with 'instant' information, you'll have to install an on-board computerized info system with a fuel flowmeter and a way to accurately measure driving distance.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 03:28 PM
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Yep have to pay the big bucks and fill that tank. You should have a 20 gallon tank in there.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 04:42 PM
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Aaaah cah-rap I guess I hafta fill 'er up........ I was hoping there was some other way to do it . I'm so used to just plopping in 20 bucks whenever I need gas, and I don't think I've ever had a full tank in anything except the lawnmower lately

One good thing I HAVE noticed though is that I'm already saving 25 bucks a week in gas with the OD compared to my Jeep.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by SHAKERATTLEROLL
I have never seen a C-3 Hold 20 Gallons lol. More around 17 and that is bone dry. If you are getting 20 gallons in your C-3 look under the car as I am sure it would be wet lol.
OK, I admit it I was wrong. It isn't 20 gallons, it's 24. The 78 went from a 17 gallon tank to a 24 gallon tank.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by retroLS1
Next time you fill up, reset your odometer. Rack up your mileage and next time you go to fill up again, take the number of miles on the odometer and divide it by the number of gallons you put in to top it off. Should get your mpg.
Fill it up top it off drive about 100 miles and fill up again top it off and divide gallons put in into the miles put on and you will get precise gas mileage
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Old May 14, 2008 | 08:05 PM
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Dont forget the platinum credit card either.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 08:54 PM
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If you haven't filled the tank to the top before, keep an eye (and nose) out for fuel leaks/odours.
A 30 year old tank may have some corrosion in the upper sections...
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Old May 14, 2008 | 09:07 PM
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It looks like I'll be waiting till payday to top it off, I ain't made o' money. Maybe I can ebay something to pay for it LOL.
My tank is in pretty good shape, and the whole car is pretty rust free, due to geological layers of oil, grease, and undercoating. I've cleaned a couple small spots, and have found nice clean metal intact underneath, but I figure once I clean off the grunge then I open it up to the world of corrosion. So, grungy it will remain
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