This weekend, I achieved over 30mpg on a tank of gas for the first time! Driven mostly on highway and VT “back” roads (usually around 50mph), I achieved 30.49 mpg, as well as my longest range of 370.8 miles. This was despite my car being packed full with camping gear, spare wheel and a passenger, and even some AC use. I had the tires inflated to 37psi because of the load instead of my usual 34. Also interesting is this tank was Shell V-Power 93, filled up in Vermont where there is no ethanol.
My milage has been much higher than usual this year, due in part to the commute from my new house that doesn’t have as much sitting in stopped traffic or high speeds as my old commute. While 04 and 05 I averaged almost exactly 24mpg, so far in 06 my average is 25.5mpg.
I’ve taken the opportunity to make a long-overdue update to my gas milage charts. We’ll see if the trend continues after my MINI goes in for Service II this weekend.