I have read a lot of milage figures on these old 240`s and 300`s. and all the exagerated ones on e-bay.
Well now that I have a GPS I have been keeping track of the milage on the odometer compared to what the GPS shows.
I filled the tank to the top of the fill tube. bounced and rocked the car to burp out any air. so each of my fill up is exactly the same. car is on the level each time at the pump.
First tank here is a little freeway driving and around town/city. we drove to Carson City, NV. filled up about 100 miles from here to Lathrope,Ca. and filled at a truck stop.
GPS showed 452.7 miles from the pevious fill up, added 15.743 gallons for a 28.76mpg. Fuel was $3.62 per gallon.
Next tank is driving from Lathrop to Carson City, driving over HWY 50 through South Shore (Lake Tahoe area), over an elevation of 7400ft at Echo Summitt.
Did a little in town driving after we got there. filled up for the return trip home.
GPS showed 244.3 miles, added 8.667 gallons, for a 28.18mpg. fuel was $3.47 per gallon.
Drove south from Carson City to Minden, took Hwy 88 to Hwy 89 back over to Hwy 50. this by-passes South Shore, and a ton of traffic. this might be a little longer drive, but seems shorter time wise.
Hwy 88 summitt is 7700ft, then drops down a long grade to Hwy 50. then back up to 7400ft over Echo summitt. then the trip from there is mostly down hill back to the Bay Area.
Fueled up back at Lathrope.
GPS showed 198.2 miles, added 4.719 gallons, for a 42.00mpg. fuel was $3.62 per gallon.
I generally drive the 240 around 60mph, no since to push it. looking at the GPS, overall average speed was 36.4 mph, moving average was 46.8 mph and maximun speed was 68.0 mph.
I know 42 mpg sound pretty outrageous, it`s my story and Iam sticking to it.
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when we left for the trip, the gague showed less than 1/4 tank, figured I was good to make it the 96 miles to lathrope. about 40 miles from the watering hole, the reserve light came on. so Iam thinking, HMMM should be 2 + gallons in there, we`ll make it. really get you nervous when that reserve light is on. roll into the station needle at the bottom of the gauge. added the 15.7 gallons. Iam thinking I need to remove the sending unit and clean out the gunk to get it to read right. that tank should hold 21 gallons, or I have a huge reserve.
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Charlie