When should I fuel up???

[lcovelli]

I'm sure all you GX owners have pondered this question... When and where should I fuel up?

I fuel at 3600psi which is located 45 mi from my house next to work.

1. 98 miles per day ( to and fro work ). 65% highway @ 65mph 35% in traffic.. No HOV stickers yet.

2. I drive with little torque meaning I don't punch the CH4.

There was a thread in the forum that said they got 140-150 miles per tank but i'm assuming that was a 3000psi fill.

Do you guys think it is safe to fill every 2 days? ~200 miles on a 3600psi?
How far would a 3000psi fill travel with my driving habits?

I know it depends but your figures will dictate if I should chance it and try.. I'll keep the AAA+ card handy! LOL

Thanks!

[CNGfamily]

Re: When should I fuel up???

The answer may depend somewhat on what year the vehicle is... My impression is that '06 and newer get a little better mileage, and that '01-'05 are better than the originals. I can tell you that if it were me, I'd be filling up every day, except maybe when it cools down (I've lived in AZ a lot of years and it never really does cool down ). Bottom line is that my range in a 2000 is less than 200 miles with summer temperatures.

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: When should I fuel up???

I fill up in the evening (M-F) on my way home because it is convienient, and there used to be bus/garbage hauler traffic at the pump in the mornings, so if I did not wait I could always get 3000psi. In the summer I notice my fuel light will come on about 20-30 miles sooner. I drive about 140 miles a day so I rarely see the light come on. On Thursdays I top off in the morning and get 1.0-1.7 after driving 8 miles. I stay in OC overnight and can make it home with no other fuel stops, 180 miles. When it is cold I can usually make it without topping off, but the fuel light will come on around 175. Longest distance traveled is 212, light at 205, topped off on a cold moning 3800psi, drove around 80 most of the way, Hemet to Lancaster to Anaheim.
I'd say fill up when the temp is low, you will get a routine down after a while, and will know how far you can go. Most the folks that have new GXs report better mileage after the cars have a few miles on them.

[freedml]

Re: When should I fuel up???

I would probably fill every day just in case something unexpected comes up.

[jpulliam1]

Re: When should I fuel up???

In my 08, and almost 3k miles, I fill every 3rd or 4th day. On the 4th day I fill twice - once in San Fernando @$2.35 and once more close to home in Valencia (CE @$2.85); both are 3600 psi. On the days I double, fill I can get 240 to 245 (mostly HOV driving).

[malibu]

Re: When should I fuel up???

In my 08, and almost 3k miles, I fill every 3rd or 4th day. On the 4th day I fill twice - once in San Fernando @$2.35 and once more close to home in Valencia (CE @$2.85); both are 3600 psi. On the days I double, fill I can get 240 to 245 (mostly HOV driving).

With my 08 GX (~4k miles) when I fill early in the moring while it is cool and there have been no busses I can drive 210 miles with apporx 1 to 1.3 GGE still left which means a total range of ~250. This is 95 % freeway with no stopping. Around town with the AC on gives ~160 on a full tank.

[sjseng]

Re: When should I fuel up???

I agree with the responses to fill up everyday in case there is an unexpected trip you need to take. Since you are a new member, I assume you have an '06 or newer Civic. So here is my story;

I have an '06 GX and a daily round trip for me is 180 miles. About 95% highway. I have a Phill unit in the garage, so the milage is more if I have to fill up away from home. I figure I can get ~250 miles per tank. Once I get home I still have plenty for errands around home. I sometimes make another ~50 mile round trip after getting home from work.

Hope this help you figure out what you are getting.

Tyler

[lcovelli]

Re: When should I fuel up???

Thanks to all for your input. I went ahead and filled up at the same 3600psi station.
I made 116 miles and it filled 2.88GGE. That's ~ 40MPG!!!!

To account for differences in fueling and driving (with NO AC) I will say that it takes 3.0GGE to travel 80 miles. (Unrealistic for highway driving..@ 26MPG )

Lets also say that the tank is only 7 instead of 8 Gallons....
Combined that's 186miles. (80x7/3)

I think I'm in the clear for fillup every 2 days. I just won't plan any extra carricular trips until they open the PG&E Station on Santa Theresa in San Jose CA.
My commute is Mountain View, CA to Gilroy, CA
Thanks!

[sjseng]

Re: When should I fuel up???

Where on Santa Theresa are they opening a PG&E station? That is were I commute to. I sometimes use the station at the school bus yard at Curtner @ 87. But it sucks if there are busses filling up.
Thanks.

[lcovelli]

Re: When should I fuel up???

Where on Santa Theresa are they opening a PG&E station? That is were I commute to. I sometimes use the station at the school bus yard at Curtner @ 87. But it sucks if there are busses filling up.
Thanks.

Are you the black GX I see every blue moon taking the 87 exit from 85?
Anyhow, if you keep going down 85 passing Cottle and just before Great Oaks, there is a PG&E facility on the right side which you can see from the highway. the cross streets are (Santa Theresa & Miyuki Dr).

I spoke with my PG&E trainer Mr. Erickson about the facility over there and he said that they are slating that site for a fueling station but he didn't know when.

So I called PG&E this morning (Clean Air transportation division) and they said that they are planning to have both 3000 and 3600psi there in Q3-2009.
He also said that it might shift either way but it will get done..

This is SO great for the south bay as there is NOTHING down there.

[sjseng]

Re: When should I fuel up???

That's good to know, thanks.

No I have a silver '06 GX. I always take 87 to Capitol Expressway.

I use on occation the Vacaville PG&E yard. They just converted one of the two pumps to 3600 psi. It seems to fill at a slower rate than before, but at least it's 3600psi.