Finally got my first 40 mpg tank on the 7th try and using some
corrections after reading the above email.
I used Google maps and Yahoo maps to verify the miles reported by the trip meter that I use for hand calculation of mpg.
Found that it is reporting 2-3% less consistently. However, no long
trips yet. So most of the errors were noticed in the first decimal place.
This tank was 736 miles for 18.8 gals. Correcting by 2.5% yeilds
754 miles and mpg just goes over 40. I also feel this is due the extra
tire pressure of 42 psi. Dash mpg reported 42.1 mpg. Range went
to --- at 643 miles (uncorrected).
Using same pump in same station for all fillups so far. So fuel +/- should
even out by now unless pump is underreporting fuel (unlikely as the gas
station owner will see to it that it does not). As usual 80% city driving
with no AC.
I have achieved my goal with this car of 40 mpg and one tank a month.
Next step is the plug-in hybrid or full electric sedan. Looking out for the
Chevy Volt, Prius plug-in, Tesla Whitestar, Saturn Vue Greenline plug-in.
Looks like will not happen before 2011. However, that will be the ideal
time to change this car. Who knows there maybe a NAH plug-in using
Nissan's own technology by then.
