FModFTD

I just got back from my DC to FLA trip in my xA. It was amazing how few Scions I saw during the whole trip. There were two xBs and one xA in Virginia on I-95, then while in FLA for one week, I saw two xAs, one xB, and 6 or more tCs.

Anyways, here are the mileage numbers:Please note that the gas pumps I used did not shut off consistently at a full tank, so the MPG for each tank will vary a bit. The overall MPG is more accurate.

On this trip, I mostly stayed at the speed limit, which was either 65 or 70. My xA is bone stock with a 5 speed manual, and I had about 70 lbs. of luggage/cargo, plus my own dead weight of 170 lbs. The total trip was 740 miles one way, and I drove down in 13 hours and back in 12 hours 10 minutes. (Times include stops for gas & food.) That's averaging 57 mph going down and 60 mph returning.

Gas prices were cheapest in Georgia and Virginia, and this week the prices were about 20 cents a gallon cheaper than last week.

I was surprised how easy it was to keep a constant speed. With no cruise control, it can be easy to get distracted and unknowingly speed up just as you see a radar gun pointing at you. But I didn't have that problem at all. My butt got sore until I took my wallet out of my back pocket. Other than that the seats were fine.

My right arm got SORE! Anybody who drives their xA long distances should get a center arm rest that fits them.

I need to find a CD holder that makes it easy to switch CDs on the fly. (Yes, I know! That's what the 6 disc changer is for. Just call me cheap )

neotim

Do you have the auto or manual?

FModFTD

Sorry, 5 speed manual.

grizzly_choppers

Wow, really good numbers for a manual.

Thanks for the info!

-Alex

i_think_therefore_scion

Interesting. I noticed the same thing on a road trip from Madison, WI to Washington DC, to Knoxville, TN back to Madison.

In fact we played a little Scion spotting game: 1 pt. for a basic Scion, 2 pts. for a release series Scion. We probably saw a total of 15 for the whole trip.

zyzyx6969

WOW

scallywagger

Those a great numbers, thanks for the informative post!
Unfortunately, the best I ever got is about 5 mpg less than your worst!

Kanza

I bought my XA in March and now have a whopping 11,000 miles and drive on a daily basis about 50 miles. It is mostly country roads (55) and then on the freeway (70). I have never gotten above 36mpg (premium gas) or 32 (regular) I am thoroughly disgusted! I had a 2000 Echo that consistenly got 42! I was expecting this to be comparable.

ecandlcubed

went roundtrip from dc to nyc when car has 3000 miles on the odo. consistent speed was between 70-80mph with an automatic and just the driver with ac on the coldest setting..

dc to nyc got around 36 mpg
nyc back to dc got around 34mpg

very good indeed and pleasantly surprise...

scallywagger

I feel your pain! A friend of mine bought a Corolla the same time I bought my xA. He's getting 41! I average about 10 less per gallon! And I bought this for the mpg. What was I thinking!

Emfdiablo

ok, number one, 30 mpg is still good, and second, why dont you try driving different, if you drive a manual, the way (and when) you shift directly affects your mpg, and if you drive an auto, try to stay out of the throttle a lil more

JusticeSabreSGC

I've been making trips from Philly to DC for my job almost once every 2 months... 3 of them within the past 2 months...

The ride has been pretty smooth and gas usage is excellent.
There's a good deal of wind noise that is sort of unpleasant, but the stereo usually drowns it out.

I've been getting roughly 32 mpg, which is pretty nice on the pockets.

phatcyclist

my 5-speed xA with exhaust and TRD springs got close to 39 on a 1000mile road trip. That was me and another person, plus all of our luggage, and the A/C on. We were going close to 70-75 the whole time, touching 80+ occasionally on some secluded highways. Now that I have wheels that are a little lighter, I wonder how that will effect my gas mileage. The interesting thing is, I think my mileage will probably go down on the highway a little bit. My logic behind that, is that cruising at a certain speed, you are relying on the gyroscopic forces on the wheels to continue pulling your car. Ligtening the amount of material that the gyroscopic force acts on, could possibly require more help from the engine to retain the car's momentum. I am sure my mileage went up in the city though. I fill up less now.

DaWankler

The inertial momentum of the wheels is tiny compared to even just the overall forward momentum of the wheel, which is again small compared to the overall momentum of the total vehicle, so it really doesn't come in to play. The biggest difference is you've lowered the unsprung weight which means the engine has to overcome less just to get the car rolling which will equate to a little better gas mileage and a little better use of the power.

Geotpf

xBs and tCs are quite common in my neck of the woods (Riverside, CA). xAs less so.