- First Name
- Mark
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- Oct 30, 2021
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- Location
- St. Jacob, IL
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Badlands | 2020 Escape
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- #1
I just completed measurement of fuel usage over three-tankfuls for our Sport Badlands. Here's the butcher's bill:
1st refill: 9.4
2nd refill: 12.5
3rd refill: 13
Total fuel used: 34.9
Total miles driven: 899.1
This yields 25.8 miles per gallon for the measurement period. The computer was indicating 27.1 over the same period. The car now has 1200 miles on the ODO, so a large portion of this was during the first 1000 mile break-in period. The manual says mileage should improve after break-in. During this test I refueled exclusively at Sam's Club using premium. Driving conditions were approximately 60/40 highway/city, and I generally keep to the speed limit with cruise control engaged as much as possible.
The dash indication showed a steady decrease (28.5 after the first tank down to 27.1) during the period, which I believe resulted from the concurrent drop in ambient temperature with the coming (well, here now) winter. If true, this would mirror my 2017 Mustang EcoBoost, for which I saw a 2-3 MPG difference between summer and winter.
I believe tracking fuel usage over several tanks like this is the most accurate method. Differences in winds, temperature, and how much weight you're carrying (among other things) can all affect fuel mileage. Additionally, you may get as much as a 1/2 gallon more or less between tanks due to different nozzle flow rates which can cause one nozzle to cut off at a different point than another. Measuring over several tankfuls averages out these differences.
Now that the engine is broken in I plan to continue using premium over the next three tankfuls, then I'll switch to regular for three tankfuls to see if there is any difference. Watch this space.
UPDATE (1/19/2023):
I've tracked fuel used over the life of my Badlands on a Google spreadsheet. Here's a link if you want to see it. Note the two tabs at the bottom. The sheet opens on the "Tracking" tab where I input all the data. The "Totals" tab is self-explanatory.
The EPA estimates 21 MPG city, and 26 MPG highway, with a combined figure of 23 MPG. My lifetime fuel economy sits at 26.7 MPG, so I'm quite satisfied.
1st refill: 9.4
2nd refill: 12.5
3rd refill: 13
Total fuel used: 34.9
Total miles driven: 899.1
This yields 25.8 miles per gallon for the measurement period. The computer was indicating 27.1 over the same period. The car now has 1200 miles on the ODO, so a large portion of this was during the first 1000 mile break-in period. The manual says mileage should improve after break-in. During this test I refueled exclusively at Sam's Club using premium. Driving conditions were approximately 60/40 highway/city, and I generally keep to the speed limit with cruise control engaged as much as possible.
The dash indication showed a steady decrease (28.5 after the first tank down to 27.1) during the period, which I believe resulted from the concurrent drop in ambient temperature with the coming (well, here now) winter. If true, this would mirror my 2017 Mustang EcoBoost, for which I saw a 2-3 MPG difference between summer and winter.
I believe tracking fuel usage over several tanks like this is the most accurate method. Differences in winds, temperature, and how much weight you're carrying (among other things) can all affect fuel mileage. Additionally, you may get as much as a 1/2 gallon more or less between tanks due to different nozzle flow rates which can cause one nozzle to cut off at a different point than another. Measuring over several tankfuls averages out these differences.
Now that the engine is broken in I plan to continue using premium over the next three tankfuls, then I'll switch to regular for three tankfuls to see if there is any difference. Watch this space.
UPDATE (1/19/2023):
I've tracked fuel used over the life of my Badlands on a Google spreadsheet. Here's a link if you want to see it. Note the two tabs at the bottom. The sheet opens on the "Tracking" tab where I input all the data. The "Totals" tab is self-explanatory.
The EPA estimates 21 MPG city, and 26 MPG highway, with a combined figure of 23 MPG. My lifetime fuel economy sits at 26.7 MPG, so I'm quite satisfied.
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