How far can you go?

[ron768]

The gas milage that I got back in 85 was based on the then speed limit of 55 mph ( of course, everyone pushed it to 65 at least). These days with 70  the posted limit, I run around 75 mph or so. The car still avg. 25 miles per gallon, not 30 like I used to get, but I am traveling faster. When I get the cruise control working I will take her out and see what she will return in her current tune.

[GTRS Fiero]

Set out for a 4-hour drive today, with my wife following.  About 40 minutes in, I had to turn around to get something I forgot, and I told her to keep going.  I filled up with gas, while I was at it.  30 minutes later, she was 1.25 hours ahead of me.  I finally caught up, about 35 miles from our destination.  First time I've ever been glad she lags and doesn't maintain her speed through traffic.  My gauge showed less than a quarter of a tank, so I figued the Fiero was on fumes.  Filled up with 10 gallons.  Mile marker 208 at 1:31, exit 113 at 2:16.  Headlight doors still intact, but the Fiero was sure unstable.

[TopNotch]

I guess you left it to us to do the math, so I did. Works out to about 120 MPH. I guess the cops weren't watching.

[GTRS Fiero]

Maybe the mile markers were too close.  I'm making no claims as to speed.

[ron768]

275 miles on 11 gallons of gas.

[GTRS Fiero]

At 50MPH?

[ron768]

combination city and highway . City speed limit 45 mph, highway speed limit 70 mph. This is my weekly commute  to and from work. Shifts are at 35-4 k rpm.  Currently running 215 60 15 tires, 4sp trans.

[GTRS Fiero]

Ah.  You have a manual and the larger tank.  The auto (without TCC) won't do that for me.  Or maybe I have another issue.

[Fierofool]

I don't think I've ever seen an automatic V6 that would give much better than 20, even with TCC working. 

[GTRS Fiero]

I got over 21, starting this thread, based on how much gas it took to fill the tank, and that was mixed driving.  Over 900 miles, I averaged over 22 MPG.

One of the Fiero bigwigs in Chicago (with his own shop) told me that I should be getting about 24 with the TCC.

I do know that my '86 SE V6 auto had more power than my '88, and better MPG.

[ron768]

Took the Fiero to Durham NC for Thanksgiving. On the way up I averaged 27 mpg cruising at 75 mph.

[GTRS Fiero]

275 miles on 11 gallons of gas.

275 miles on 7.82 gallons of gas.

Not too shabby.

[Fierofool]

35.16 MPG?  In GTRS?

[pgackerman]

Best ever was 32 MPG doing 70-75 MPH from Atlanta to Augusta. 
Usually get 23 around town. 

That's a little over 20 miles to work and back, and includes waiting at a guarded gate to get in.

Furthest I ever tried was just over 200 miles.  See no reason to let my 30 year old gas tank get that low.

[Fierofool]

Furthest I ever tried was just over 200 miles.  See no reason to let my 30 year old gas tank get that low.

Driving it to use most of the fuel in the tank then refilling it won't do damage to the tank.  Rust forms on the walls when the fuel level is low and the vehicle sits for very long periods of time.  Heating and cooling causes condensate to form on the walls of the tank and Ethanol will pull moisture from the air.  Even though we gripe about the Ethanol in our gasolines, it does have one benefit in that respect.  The Ethanol actually absorbs water and as you drive the vehicle frequently, the small amount of condensate that may be in the tank is absorbed by the Ethanol and it's burned by the engine. 

It's actually best to drive the car frequently because it keeps the condensate burned and not accumulating and sitting in the bottom of the tank.