change in latitude = change in gas mileage?

AJ711 · 09-01-2003, 01:14 AM

Recently moved from the northeast down to Charleston, SC. A huge culture and climate shock nonetheless, but I've noticed that my car hasn't been getting the same gas mileage that it did back in NH and MD.

1) There are no CEL's.
2) Nothing seems to be running funny, nothing sounds funny.
3) Just had an oil change less than 2 weeks ago.
4) Recently replaced O2 sensor.
5) Driving habits haven't changed much.
6) Commute to work is mainly highway, maybe 15-20 miles at the most, one way.
7) No dripping/leaking fluids of any kind.

My only thoughts would be with the hotter, more humid air. Or, maybe they do something to there gas down here. I honestly don't know, and I'm stumped for reasons as to why this is happening.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject? Or maybe suggest something I could do to narrow down the reason as to why this is happening? I look exactly like this -->

(besides the purple skin that is).

AJ

List of Mods:
Brullen 2.25" header back system
JCS J-tubing CAI
S-AFC (not tuned)
Suspension stuff (not applicable to gas mileage, besides wheels outta whack, which they're not)
17" P7's, but they've been on long enough to pull regular gas mileage

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Patrick Olsen · 09-01-2003, 06:37 AM

C'mon, just nuke it out!

My inclination would be to think that the it's a combination of a couple of the things you mentioned. The warmer air is probably part of it - car's a little more sluggish, maybe you're getting on it a little more to compensate for that? And the gas is may be different. From what I understand different areas of the country have somewhat different blends - for instance, in New England you can get 93 and 94 octane everywhere, but in other areas of the country you're hard pressed to find anything over 91.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

jkyes · 09-01-2003, 09:48 AM

i always seem to get better milage when i go to colorado on a trip... even better then my other trips not to elevation.

AJ711 · 09-01-2003, 06:46 PM

Thanks, Pat, for the answer. I figured it might have something to do with the air density and the like. I'll see what happens when the winter comes, and hopefully a little less humid and cooler air to run with.

As for using the loud peddle more than usual, I didn't think of that. It would be hard to tell, but I think I have some saved data on the pocketlogger, so I'll take a run down here and compare things.

Thanks guys, and keep any kind of information coming, if it's out there. I'm just looking to see if anyone else might have had the same experiances.

AJ

C-daleRidr · 09-02-2003, 12:02 PM

Mine has changed quite a bit. I started putting Shell gas in over the summer when I was in Oklahoma for about 6 weeks and was getting close to 30 mpg there (in the hot and humid Oklahoma summer). I come back to the Rez, at 7000 feet of elevation with little to no humidity and cooler temperatures, and am back to getting just over 20 mpg. I attribute a lot of it to gas, since I have never seen such a big difference when back in Oklahoma in the past. Gas grade has a lot to do with it, IMHO.

Of course, mine is hardly a scientific study.

Legacy777 · 09-02-2003, 01:10 PM

change in climate and different gas is probably the biggest reasons.

My mileage is utter crap in Houston.....

Matt Monson · 09-02-2003, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkyes
i always seem to get better milage when i go to colorado on a trip... even better then my other trips not to elevation.

I saw the same when I moved here from California. I think it is a blend thing more than the elevation difference. Colorado uses ethanol, California does not. I get 3-5mpg better in Colorado, on average.

MY99 2.5GT · 09-02-2003, 01:48 PM

Ethanol is used in E85 fuel which is readily available at most pumps out west but not in regular grade 87-93 octane fuel. I have a hard time believing anybody would have an ethanol mix in all of their offered fuel grades.

Matt Monson · 09-02-2003, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MY99 2.5GT
Ethanol is used in E85 fuel which is readily available at most pumps out west but not in regular grade 87-93 octane fuel. I have a hard time believing anybody would have an ethanol mix in all of their offered fuel grades.

care to explain why for the less educated?

09-01-2003, 01:14 AM	#1
AJ711 Scooby Specialist Member#: 6178 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Singletracks.com Vehicle: 98 GM67 + 03 SG6 2 whls > 4 whls	change in latitude = change in gas mileage? Recently moved from the northeast down to Charleston, SC. A huge culture and climate shock nonetheless, but I've noticed that my car hasn't been getting the same gas mileage that it did back in NH and MD. 1) There are no CEL's. 2) Nothing seems to be running funny, nothing sounds funny. 3) Just had an oil change less than 2 weeks ago. 4) Recently replaced O2 sensor. 5) Driving habits haven't changed much. 6) Commute to work is mainly highway, maybe 15-20 miles at the most, one way. 7) No dripping/leaking fluids of any kind. My only thoughts would be with the hotter, more humid air. Or, maybe they do something to there gas down here. I honestly don't know, and I'm stumped for reasons as to why this is happening. Can anyone shed some light on this subject? Or maybe suggest something I could do to narrow down the reason as to why this is happening? I look exactly like this --> (besides the purple skin that is). AJ List of Mods: Brullen 2.25" header back system JCS J-tubing CAI S-AFC (not tuned) Suspension stuff (not applicable to gas mileage, besides wheels outta whack, which they're not) 17" P7's, but they've been on long enough to pull regular gas mileage * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-01-2003, 06:37 AM	#2
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	C'mon, just nuke it out! My inclination would be to think that the it's a combination of a couple of the things you mentioned. The warmer air is probably part of it - car's a little more sluggish, maybe you're getting on it a little more to compensate for that? And the gas is may be different. From what I understand different areas of the country have somewhat different blends - for instance, in New England you can get 93 and 94 octane everywhere, but in other areas of the country you're hard pressed to find anything over 91. Pat Olsen '97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

09-01-2003, 09:48 AM	#3
jkyes Scooby Newbie Member#: 707 Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: cottage grove, mn, usa Vehicle: 99 Legacy GT Quick silver	i always seem to get better milage when i go to colorado on a trip... even better then my other trips not to elevation.

09-01-2003, 06:46 PM	#4
AJ711 Scooby Specialist Member#: 6178 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Singletracks.com Vehicle: 98 GM67 + 03 SG6 2 whls > 4 whls	Thanks, Pat, for the answer. I figured it might have something to do with the air density and the like. I'll see what happens when the winter comes, and hopefully a little less humid and cooler air to run with. As for using the loud peddle more than usual, I didn't think of that. It would be hard to tell, but I think I have some saved data on the pocketlogger, so I'll take a run down here and compare things. Thanks guys, and keep any kind of information coming, if it's out there. I'm just looking to see if anyone else might have had the same experiances. AJ

09-02-2003, 12:02 PM	#5
C-daleRidr Scooby Specialist Member#: 18074 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Vehicle: 2008 Speed3 Black	Mine has changed quite a bit. I started putting Shell gas in over the summer when I was in Oklahoma for about 6 weeks and was getting close to 30 mpg there (in the hot and humid Oklahoma summer). I come back to the Rez, at 7000 feet of elevation with little to no humidity and cooler temperatures, and am back to getting just over 20 mpg. I attribute a lot of it to gas, since I have never seen such a big difference when back in Oklahoma in the past. Gas grade has a lot to do with it, IMHO. Of course, mine is hardly a scientific study.

09-02-2003, 01:10 PM	#6
Legacy777 Scooby Guru Member#: 4800 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston, Tx Vehicle: 1990 Legacy & 97 OBS AWD 5MT EJ22T AWIC Swap	change in climate and different gas is probably the biggest reasons. My mileage is utter crap in Houston.....

09-02-2003, 01:48 PM	#8
MY99 2.5GT Scooby Specialist Member#: 5030 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Martinsburg, WV, USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy 2.5GT 05 Legacy GT 06 Armada	Ethanol is used in E85 fuel which is readily available at most pumps out west but not in regular grade 87-93 octane fuel. I have a hard time believing anybody would have an ethanol mix in all of their offered fuel grades.