Observed Economy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Everett Wa
Observed Economy
So, I just purchased my 2nd Vette a few months ago. 1998 Convertible with no modifications, besides the K&N air filter.
I have been tracking it's fuel consumption, normally at 21 MPG with mixed City/HWY. Last weekend I took a road trip to the Mountains, and calculated 32.65 MPG at the pump... Most of the trip was on the highway, 55-70 MPH. (LOTS of speed traps everywhere)!
Seemed a little astounding so I re-checked all the numbers, and they are correct. 290 mile trip, 8.89 GAL of fuel (Same pump every time)...
Just curious what everyone else is getting.
I have been tracking it's fuel consumption, normally at 21 MPG with mixed City/HWY. Last weekend I took a road trip to the Mountains, and calculated 32.65 MPG at the pump... Most of the trip was on the highway, 55-70 MPH. (LOTS of speed traps everywhere)!
Seemed a little astounding so I re-checked all the numbers, and they are correct. 290 mile trip, 8.89 GAL of fuel (Same pump every time)...
Just curious what everyone else is getting.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
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Gas mileage is VERY impressive in these cars. It's a by-product of great aerodynamics and gearing. When I bought my car six years ago, and drove it home from Chicago to Phoenix, the average MPG was 29.7. I was sure that was wrong, but it wasn't.
The magic also comes from maintaining a steady rate of speed - which means keeping your foot light on the throttle.....but where's the fun in that?
The magic also comes from maintaining a steady rate of speed - which means keeping your foot light on the throttle.....but where's the fun in that?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
there have been several threads on the subject. you'd be surprised at how efficient the C5 really is. btw if you used the onboard (DIC) readout, i think you'll find it to be a bit generous as opposed to the actual miles/gas in/miles/gas in calculation. either way, there is nothing to be dissapointed in for certain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
Actually, my DIC is almost dead-on-***** accurate. I checked it every fill up for the first month with my own numbers and it was never more than 1/10th off. If I came up with 18.9, it said 19.0. It was close enough that I believe it.
I do 90% (or more) of my driving in the city on the streets. I hardly get to drive her on the freeway. I average between 18.5 and 19.5 for the most part. I have an M12 to boot. So I get good mileage. The times I did take my car on the highway, I averaged between 28 and 30MPG.
I spend almost all my time in 6th gear. Depending on how "spirited" I feel like driving I do either a 1,3,5,6 shift or a 1,2,6 shift.
Sometimes I get on the gas and I'm at 40 before I get out of second and wait for the RPMs to drop to 1000 and then throw her into 6th.
I do 90% (or more) of my driving in the city on the streets. I hardly get to drive her on the freeway. I average between 18.5 and 19.5 for the most part. I have an M12 to boot. So I get good mileage. The times I did take my car on the highway, I averaged between 28 and 30MPG.
I spend almost all my time in 6th gear. Depending on how "spirited" I feel like driving I do either a 1,3,5,6 shift or a 1,2,6 shift.
Sometimes I get on the gas and I'm at 40 before I get out of second and wait for the RPMs to drop to 1000 and then throw her into 6th.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
I never see these numbers. I drive mine fast and hard!!
I did see 28 MPG on a 8.5 hr trip to MO once. A little less with the lights up.
I did see 28 MPG on a 8.5 hr trip to MO once. A little less with the lights up.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles California
OH! Yeah, that's very true, but I usually make it make sense to them... I say:
In your 4 banger, you're engine is rotating 3000 RPM on the freeway at 65MPH. Your 4-banger is 2.8L (Or something to that nature). My car is rotating at 1600 RPM at 65MPH. I have a 5.7L. So although this is a crude and not 100% accurate comparison, the math is simple:
1600 / 3000 = 53%
53% * 5.7L = 3.02
So my engine is running 47% less than your 2.8L. This is like me having a 3L 4cyl motor.
So because of my gearing, compared to your 2.8L, my car is a 3L and weighs less than your car with better aerodynamics. Therefore, my car gets fantastic gas mileage.
In your 4 banger, you're engine is rotating 3000 RPM on the freeway at 65MPH. Your 4-banger is 2.8L (Or something to that nature). My car is rotating at 1600 RPM at 65MPH. I have a 5.7L. So although this is a crude and not 100% accurate comparison, the math is simple:
1600 / 3000 = 53%
53% * 5.7L = 3.02
So my engine is running 47% less than your 2.8L. This is like me having a 3L 4cyl motor.
So because of my gearing, compared to your 2.8L, my car is a 3L and weighs less than your car with better aerodynamics. Therefore, my car gets fantastic gas mileage.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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With my six speed '00, I consistently got 30+ mpg out on the highway - driving the speed limit with cruise control set. Amazing fuel economy the C5 gets.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 19
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From: Everett Wa
I am EXTREMELY pleased with my C-5. My C-4 (automatic) clocks around 27 MPG, and thought that was kinda neat. I have observed that the economy goes down about 1 MPG with the light housings up.
Amazing that this car rivals my Toyota Corolla S at the gas pump!
How does the C-6 fare in comparison?
Amazing that this car rivals my Toyota Corolla S at the gas pump!
How does the C-6 fare in comparison?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: South Dakota
I drive about a hundred miles a day to and from work. With my mix of driving that is mostly all highway, I get about 27.5 to 28 with my 94 m6 and about 30 to 31 with my 99 FRC.
It always surprises people when they hear how good they do. With my amount of travel I have to get good mileage. That is why I call them my "Economy Cars".
In both cars I have checked the cars average to the mileage I calculated after filling them up and found them both to be very close.
It always surprises people when they hear how good they do. With my amount of travel I have to get good mileage. That is why I call them my "Economy Cars".
In both cars I have checked the cars average to the mileage I calculated after filling them up and found them both to be very close.