Newbie here
 

Thought I would share this odd occurance my first post here.
Never really trusted the computer mpg findings!!
Ok here goes trip from Tampa to Daytona Sunday morning 93 octane
Full tank shut off at first click off of the pump handle.
Drove 141 miles interstate 70mph to 80 mph. Refilled tank took 2.5 gallons divide 141 miles by 2.5 gallons. Mpg 55.5 ??? I don't understand can anyone explain this phenominum? 64 years old ex collision center manager?? Help??

Hello and welcome. If you filled the tank both times, and the mileage input is correct there should be no issue really. Were you expecting less MPG'S?

If that is way more than you expected - and assuming that is US gallons and US mpg I would say that is an unbelievable figure - perhaps a vapour lock caused the pump to trip off before the tank was full. That is 67.8 mpg UK, which though possibly achievable from the Cruze is highly unlikely at 70 - 80 mph.
Even the diesel would struggle to manage that, going by EPA figures.

Fuel pumps can vary on when they auto shut off. Which is why it is recommended to use the same pump when possible. Then any variations from the pump will be magnified with such a small amount of fuel. IIRC, my 2005 Prius needed at least 3 gallons added to reset the fuel gauge.

Now, if those miles were steady state cruising, a higher than average result wouldn't be unexpected. The 2016 Camry is rated 35mpg highway. That is likely based on results for the LE. Our LE has larger wheels and tires, but still can have a fill approaching 40mpg on trips cruising at those speeds.

There are a number of variable that'll determine how much fuel you can pump into your tank until the pump shuts off. The include (but are not limited to)

• Car's tilt (fuel tanks have all sorts of nooks and crannies)
• Pump's dispensing rate
• Pump's sensitivity to fuel foaming (determines shut off)
• Random slosh in tank during filling

And then there are numerous factors that can alter your actual fuel economy, including (but not limited to):

• Weather
• Traffic
• Ambient temperature
• Wind
• Terrain
• Your driving habits

That's why a single fill-up is unlikely to give you a true, average fuel economy. It could be an outlier on the bell-curve.