What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? : MG Midget Forum : The MG Experience

What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #1
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Aug 31, 2014 09:41 PM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

So I just filled up the Midget after driving for 135 miles or so. I had a full take at 5.6 gallons so that works out to about 24 MPG on mix local and highway.

Does that seem kind of low? The most I gone on a single tank was 150 miles and I was really pushing it.

I have a 1970 1275 with a 6 gallon tank I believe.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #2
Billm Bill Masquelier Santee, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 1965 MG Midget MkII 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite" 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite"	Aug 31, 2014 09:49 PM Top Contributor Joined 17 years ago 4,473 Posts

I get from 22 to 44 MPG depending on how I drive.
22 in town when I am pushing it and 44 on the freeway at a steady 65
BillM

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #3
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Aug 31, 2014 09:52 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

My Midget has the 7 gallon tank (it's a '72) and I get anywhere from 27 to 34 mpg. Sometimes better, but I tend to drive in a "spirited" manner. I've gotten as high as 37 mpg, on a long, highway stretch running a steady 60 mph (speed limit was 55 at that time). Typically, I begin to think of stopping for fuel after 170 miles, but can usually count on getting over 200 miles per tank.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #4
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Aug 31, 2014 09:57 PM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

Hmm..maybe it's because I been really mashing the gas and revving the tach to 3500 rpm before shifting gears?

I heard you're suppose to get 30 mpg from some places but maybe that's highway and gentle driving?

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #5
Mainline Ilya Ilya K Ray Brook, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1947 Willys Jeep CJ2A 1972 BMW 2002 1973 MG Midget MkIII 1974 Jeep SJ & more	Aug 31, 2014 10:14 PM Joined 9 years ago 634 Posts

How many smiles per gallon™ are you getting?

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #6
refisk Rick Fisk Frankenmuth, MI, USA Sign in to contact	Aug 31, 2014 10:28 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 14,673 Posts

Only 3500 rpm? C'mon Jing! Drive it like ya stole it. Shift at 5500 - try it, you'll like it. thumbs up

In reply to # 2784866 by JingChai Hmm..maybe it's because I been really mashing the gas and revving the tach to 3500 rpm before shifting gears?

I heard you're suppose to get 30 mpg from some places but maybe that's highway and gentle driving?

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #7
S1 Elan Kurt. Appley Akron, Ia., USA Sign in to contact 1964 Lotus Elan 1965 MG Midget MkII	Aug 31, 2014 10:32 PM Top Contributor Joined 11 years ago 8,014 Posts

Check ignition timing and carb setup. Unless its all city driving you should beat mid 20's.

Kurt.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #8
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Aug 31, 2014 11:33 PM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

I think those two are probably the most responsible. I'll take a look at both.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #9
ChrisCo Chris Collins Keremeos, BC, Canada Sign in to contact 1971 MG Midget	Aug 31, 2014 11:49 PM Joined 12 years ago 415 Posts

Most I've ever done on a tank was 190 miles. Least I've ever done on a tank was just over 100 miles. (both on the highway). driving style and state of tune are factors in that...

if you want to start tinkering, go with ignition first. only touch the carbs after you've checked absolutely everything else... that includes timing, point gap, tire pressure, and your math. (If you have a '70, it would've originally had a 7 gallon tank.) Then check your plugs to see what colour they are. If you must mess with the carbs, do everything else first.

If it runs well, and the plugs are at least close to the right colour (brown-ish) I wouldn't worry too much about your gas mileage.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #10
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 1, 2014 12:30 AM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

Thanks Chris,

Are you sure '70 had a 7 gallon tank? I'm looking on the Bentley shop manual and only cars from G-AN5-105501 had 7 gallon tanks, which is 1972 model year. Mine is G-AN-5-79094.

In reply to # 2784934 by ChrisCo Most I've ever done on a tank was 190 miles. Least I've ever done on a tank was just over 100 miles. (both on the highway). driving style and state of tune are factors in that...

if you want to start tinkering, go with ignition first. only touch the carbs after you've checked absolutely everything else... that includes timing, point gap, tire pressure, and your math. (If you have a '70, it would've originally had a 7 gallon tank.) Then check your plugs to see what colour they are. If you must mess with the carbs, do everything else first.

If it runs well, and the plugs are at least close to the right colour (brown-ish) I wouldn't worry too much about your gas mileage.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #11
123 chuck h Richmond, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG Midget 1500 "Lola"	Sep 1, 2014 01:35 AM Joined 9 years ago 209 Posts

In my 77 I get I the upper 20'sI.I drive in town and on country roads. Haven't driven on the highway long distance in a while.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #12
JingChai Jing Chai Sunnyvale, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 1, 2014 02:02 AM Joined 11 years ago 854 Posts

Not sure if there's that big of a difference with the 1500 engine compare to the 1275 but thanks for letting me know Chuck!

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #13
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Sep 1, 2014 07:27 AM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

In reply to # 2784866 by JingChai Hmm..maybe it's because I been really mashing the gas and revving the tach to 3500 rpm before shifting gears?

I heard you're suppose to get 30 mpg from some places but maybe that's highway and gentle driving?

3500 rpm, eh? That's sort of a "little old lady" shift point, although I confess to shifting between 3,000 and 4,000 most of the time, unless I'm in a hurry. But, I run to 5,000 from time to time and I do see redline in 2nd and 3rd gears, as well.

There is a reason the yellow zone of the tach doesn't begin until 5500 or so. I regularly cruise at 4,000 - 4,500 rpm, on the highway, and get over 30 mpg at that speed. A-series engines love to rev.

What distributor are you running (in other words, has it been Schlemmerized, yet?) and what is your dwell & timing set at? If you've been putting-off sending your dizzy out to Jeff for service, don't delay any longer. It makes a huge difference, as most OE distributors are really "tired" and not working real well.

Don't mess with the carbs if you are unsure of what you are doing there. You can really f_ _ _ -up the way your car runs with just minor carb adjustments, if you don't do it right.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #14
S1 Elan Kurt. Appley Akron, Ia., USA Sign in to contact 1964 Lotus Elan 1965 MG Midget MkII	Sep 1, 2014 08:27 AM Top Contributor Joined 11 years ago 8,014 Posts

You guys are making carb tuning sound like voo doo. SU's are the simplest carb's around but, I agree, if you aren't familiar with them you can mess them up. I would turn the jet adjusting nut on each carb up one or two flats and see itf things improve or if you get a lean miss on acceleration. If your car starts without needing the choke when the engine is cool and the inside of your exhaust pipe is black you are probably a little rich. Checking plugs to get a idea of mixture and carb balance doesn't take long either.

Kurt.

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Re: What kind of driving range and MPG are you getting with a full tank of gas? #15
littlecars David Bassett Nashville, TN, USA Sign in to contact 1963 Chevrolet Corvair "Cheeto!" 1965 Chevrolet Corvair "Ski Team Transport SOLD!" 1965 MG Midget MkII "Buffoon --- SOLD!!!" 1966 MG Midget MkII "Swiss Cheese...SCRAPPED" & more	Sep 1, 2014 08:45 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 8,391 Posts

In reply to # 2784863 by purpleGT My Midget has the 7 gallon tank (it's a '72) and I get anywhere from 27 to 34 mpg. Sometimes better, but I tend to drive in a "spirited" manner. I've gotten as high as 37 mpg, on a long, highway stretch running a steady 60 mph (speed limit was 55 at that time). Typically, I begin to think of stopping for fuel after 170 miles, but can usually count on getting over 200 miles per tank.

x2 Bud. I could usually squeeze 200 miles out of my bigger tank with an accurate gauge. Haven't tested the true accuracy of my current car. Will probably figure the tank is empty based on mid-20's MPG. I also learned (just before selling my last Midget) to shift in a spirited manner. Before that I was a chickens*t and gently pushed the little A series.

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