MD 40 MPG Road Trip How to Rating Options

[mcgov51]

I've said it before . . . with or without a K&N Air Filter and a fresh Mobile-1 oil change
the new 1.8 Elantra will easily achieve 40mpg on the non-stop, level highway at most
posted speeds. No doubt and IMHO the K&N will get you another 1-2mpg more than
what you would have gotten without it . . . according to my tests over the years.

The biggest factor with any of this is the condition and quality of your oil.
Then the efficiency of your spark plugs & wires and air filter.

For years I drove from point A to Point B and got 4 round trips (62 mi. one-way) on a full tank of gas.
Immed. after a fresh oil change I got 5 round trips on a full tank of gas . . . 124 mi. more. This would
last for about 2 wks then mpg would start to slowly decline.

And my claim about the K&N was qualified (to myself) in the same way. It is good for 1-2mpg.

I use Mobile-1 5W/20 in the winter and 5W/30 in the summer and I change it every 5-6K miles
AND never use anything but an OEM Filter . . . never.

[13ABLtd]

2013 Limited with Technology Package and automatic transmission. Car has a K&N drop-in air filter, otherwise 100% stock. Mileage is now just over 58,000.

I commute 98 miles one way 5 days a week. The highway speed limit is 75 mph and the secondary road speed limit is 65 mph. I pass through two towns, but no stoplights. I drive approximately 91 miles on the secondary road. I use the cruise control and the ECO mode is on. I use 87 octane with the 10% methanol, which is also oxygenated. Gasoline without methanol is not available where I live or drive. Driving the posted speed limits, I average 36.5 to 37.5mpg. I have achieved 39.5mpg, but that was driving at 55mph on the drive home in the 65 mph zones only. On occasion, I have achieved 38mpg. If I have a lot of wind, my mpg will drop to 33-35.

While I am disappointed that the mpg rating was inflated, I am happy with what I do get. I wish the fuel tank was a little bit bigger. My mpg numbers were determined by dividing miles driven by gallons of gas used. I have every last fuel receipt since I purchased the car, 6/09/2012, with 9 miles on the odometer.

Off Topic:
I have not had a single issue with the car. The OEM tires lasted 48,000 miles ( rotated every 6K ). Had the headliner clip replaced, per the recall.

mcgov51- How are you determining your mileage? Do the 2011 and 2012 Elantra 's have the same 12.8 gal fuel tank as the 2013? Using all 12.8 gallons: your 4 round trips are 496 miles, at 38.75 mpg. The 5 round trips are 620 miles, at 48.44 mpg. I don't doubt the 496; I've done it as well. But......620 miles?

This post has been edited by 13ABLtd: Mar 23 2014, 04:26 AM