AZJIM1
Phoenix, AZ
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Joined: 02/29/2004
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Just returned from our vacation to Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone and figured out my mileage, etc.
3426 miles . . . 186.949 Gallons of Gas.
18.228 MPG Average for the trip. (up from 17.5 mpg last year when we want to Sequoia/Yosemite)
Paid an average of $4.17 a gallon for Premium Unleaded.
Cheapest Gas was in Eastern Wyoming at $3.86.9
Most expensive Gas was at Jacob Lake, AZ (Near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon) at $4.51.9.
Gas in Yellowstone NP was $4.29.9 May 30 at Fishing Bridge on the Way in to the park, and $4.39.9 at Old Faithful on June 4 on the way out of the park. Paid $4.05.9 in Custer, WY near Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park.
Gas prices were crazy . . . all over the map! In a little town in NW Nebraska paid $4.09.9. But in a pretty populated area in Colorado paid $4.34.9!
1999 Coleman Westlake that replaced STOLEN!!! 1987 Coleman Sequoia
2006 Honda Odyssey
Me, Wife, Daughter, Son
A Pack (Two) of Australian Shepherds
MY MOD AND CAMPER PICS HERE
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moorer2
Tennessee
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Joined: 02/09/2008
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We are headed out that way in ten days. Can't wait. I was wondering what gas prices were like in Yellowstone. Oh well, I guess we'll just pay it and roll on. It beats staying at home in the driveway. Thanks for the info.
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PattieAM
Maryland
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Joined: 08/03/2005
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It's a real gut-kicker, and it really hurts the wallet when you add up what you spent this past month in gas vs. same time last year....
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PopUpTom
Murfreesboro, TN
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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We're headed to the Black Hills and RMNP in a couple weeks as well. The price of gas is going to be hard to swallow. Another way to look at it though is that the cost to do the same trip next summer will be a whole lot more.
Our Highlander is supposed to run better on premium, although use of regular is OK. I'll have a chance to find out if it gets better MPG on it, filling up every 3 hours or so.
2001 V6 Highlander, 2002 Coleman Sun Valley, Single Bar WD, Tranny Temp Gage, Prodigy Brake Control
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sushidog
Abita Springs, LA
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Joined: 08/02/2007
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Congrats on your excellent mileage!
If your ECM advances the timing to allow use of premium gas, you will get better mileage and more power from it's use. Most vehicles are not designed for premium and it is a waste of money to use a higher octane fuel than is needed, as you will receive no benefit from its use.
I sent my engine and transmission computers to Wester's Garage to be tuned for maximum performance to match my header, full exhaust and cold air intake. They advanced the timing (among other things like adjusting the a/f ratio), increasing the vehicle's dynamic compression and extending the number of degrees of powered crank rotation, thus improving the engines efficiency.
Originally, mid-grade fuel was all that was required in my 2.4l Cobalt SS to deliver max performance and mileage. The owner's manual states that regular gas can be used, however the ECM will cut timing (to avoid engine knock) reducing power and mileage. Now that it's tuned for 93 octane fuel, I get great mileage (I observed 37 mpg yesterday driving to work at 75mph - up from the 31-33mpg @75mph I was getting before the mods and supporting tune). Towing my 1,700 lb Aliner I get 22-25mpg, of course using premium only.
I only realized a small net savings, as I am now paying more for premium vs mid-grade fuel, but I'm certainly enjoying the extra power (.7 sec quicker in the 1/4 mile). I guess it's like driving a diesel. The extra 15-20% mileage they deliver is offset by paying 15-20% more for fuel (17% around here), but they will certainly put a smile on your face when pulling a heavy load.
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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The Odyssey is one of the few vehicles that CAN benefit from premium when towing. Honda tells you right in the owners manual to use premium when towing. And the engine compression ratio suggests that it needs it at least a portion of the time (higher than 10:1 ratio).
Great report.
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WaltinColo
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Joined: 12/30/2005
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Figure ill drop 300-400 bucks to pull our pontoon boat up to the lake for a week of boondocking..
Fricken gas prices....
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'06 AWD V6 Saturn Vue
'05 Jayco 1207
'07 22ft SunTracker Regency pontoon
Me, the wife, and the little guy....
...oh, and 1 loving, ready to go camping anytime, Black Lab 
DAYS CAMPED SINCE PUP PURCHASE: 112
BEERS DRANK: 2374 
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Camper Sue
Maryland
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Joined: 08/06/2005
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Hmmm anyone driving an Avalanche out there? I have always used regular gas in it even when towing my pup but havent seen anything in the manual telling me to use the better grade while towing. Now Im curious??
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nick_hoff
South Dakota
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Joined: 05/31/2008
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I leave in the blackhills area. Right now unleaded regular is $3.82 right now. Last year my family did Yellowstone then Salt Lake City. We got around 18 mpg with my Ford F150 Super cab w/ 5.4 L V8 and a 1996 Coleman Cheyenne Camper. We had a great time. We spend 10 days on the road.
Yours truly,
Camper_man
Spearfish, SD
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