Observations from 1st Road Trip - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BluegraSS · 07-07-2012, 08:28 AM

I took my first road trip in the Camaro this week and these are my observations.

The car: 2012 SS L99 A6
Mods: Airaid CAI, Corsa 2.5" Sport Catback, 160 Thermostat, JRE Tune, Sprint Booster, PCV Oil Catch Can

The car's starting mileage was about 2900 miles. It now has close to 4000.

The drive was about 500 miles each way. I'd say the speed limits were about 30% 70mph, about 30% 65 mph, about 20% 60 mph, and about 20% 55 mph. (I can't believe how much of I-40 and I-26 are 60 and 55 mph!) The troopers were really thick in North Carolina.

It was hot. The temperature was in the 70s at the start of each day and was close to 100 at the end. I had the A/C on for at least 1/2 of the drive each way.

I averaged 68 mph on the way down and about 21.5 mpg.

Before coming back I loaded the stock tune back in to compare mileage. I averaged 65 mph and about 23.75 mpg.

The average mileage displayed on the DIC consistently indicates about .5 mpg optimistic over the course of a few hundred miles.

I like the improved mileage of AFM, but dislike how it makes the car feel. The exhaust tips were a lot sootier, too.

Although I'd like better mileage, the car is a very good road trip car. The cabin is pretty quiet, it rides pretty good, and the sound system isn't too bad. Passing isn't a problem.

I used the On Star driving directions and liked them for the most part.

Coolant temp stayed in the low 180s most of the time. Oil temp: around 230, Trans temp: around 185, Oil pressure: about 50.

JSLSlim · 07-07-2012, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the recount of the road trip. Good observations all, and I'm sure it'll be useful as a benchmark for future Camaro road trips...

amz · 07-07-2012, 09:12 AM

Good car on the long road , hehehe-- "passing is not a problem".

edgehead2000 · 07-07-2012, 10:17 AM

Just 23.5 mpg with stock tune? I thought it'd be a bit higher than that.

My LS3's mpg from Albuquerque, NM, to Vegas was 24.5 mpg round trip. That was even using cruise control at 80 mph and gunning it up mountains near Flagstaff, AZ.

Perhaps your mountains are more steep?

BluegraSS · 07-07-2012, 10:41 AM

My mileage figures came from the gas required at fill up, not the DIC, which was a little optimistic.

The best mileage I got was 24.5 over 237 miles.

With only 4000 miles on it, I expect it to improve a little as the engine continues to loosen up. My neighbor didn't feel like his 2010 SS LS3 Camaro was broken in until around 10000 miles.

2Carats · 07-08-2012, 10:15 AM

Excellent Post

07-07-2012, 08:28 AM	#1
BluegraSS Drives: 2012 Victory Red SS/RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Carlisle, KY Posts: 42	Observations from 1st Road Trip I took my first road trip in the Camaro this week and these are my observations. The car: 2012 SS L99 A6 Mods: Airaid CAI, Corsa 2.5" Sport Catback, 160 Thermostat, JRE Tune, Sprint Booster, PCV Oil Catch Can The car's starting mileage was about 2900 miles. It now has close to 4000. The drive was about 500 miles each way. I'd say the speed limits were about 30% 70mph, about 30% 65 mph, about 20% 60 mph, and about 20% 55 mph. (I can't believe how much of I-40 and I-26 are 60 and 55 mph!) The troopers were really thick in North Carolina. It was hot. The temperature was in the 70s at the start of each day and was close to 100 at the end. I had the A/C on for at least 1/2 of the drive each way. I averaged 68 mph on the way down and about 21.5 mpg. Before coming back I loaded the stock tune back in to compare mileage. I averaged 65 mph and about 23.75 mpg. The average mileage displayed on the DIC consistently indicates about .5 mpg optimistic over the course of a few hundred miles. I like the improved mileage of AFM, but dislike how it makes the car feel. The exhaust tips were a lot sootier, too. Although I'd like better mileage, the car is a very good road trip car. The cabin is pretty quiet, it rides pretty good, and the sound system isn't too bad. Passing isn't a problem. I used the On Star driving directions and liked them for the most part. Coolant temp stayed in the low 180s most of the time. Oil temp: around 230, Trans temp: around 185, Oil pressure: about 50. Last edited by BluegraSS; 07-07-2012 at 09:42 AM.

07-07-2012, 09:08 AM	#2
JSLSlim Drives: 2013 2LT/RS A6 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Fauquier, VA Posts: 140	Good observations Thanks for the recount of the road trip. Good observations all, and I'm sure it'll be useful as a benchmark for future Camaro road trips...

07-08-2012, 10:15 AM	#6
2Carats Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Unknown Posts: 1,264 View My Garage	Excellent Post __________________ I solve problems for a living. Either accept my advice or go figure it out on your own.

07-07-2012, 09:12 AM	#3
amz Factory Correct Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Richmond,Virginia Posts: 666	Good car on the long road , hehehe-- "passing is not a problem".

07-07-2012, 10:17 AM	#4
edgehead2000 2016 Camaro 1LT 2.0T Drives: Nemesis Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 844	Just 23.5 mpg with stock tune? I thought it'd be a bit higher than that. My LS3's mpg from Albuquerque, NM, to Vegas was 24.5 mpg round trip. That was even using cruise control at 80 mph and gunning it up mountains near Flagstaff, AZ. Perhaps your mountains are more steep?

07-07-2012, 10:41 AM	#5
BluegraSS Drives: 2012 Victory Red SS/RS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Carlisle, KY Posts: 42	My mileage figures came from the gas required at fill up, not the DIC, which was a little optimistic. The best mileage I got was 24.5 over 237 miles. With only 4000 miles on it, I expect it to improve a little as the engine continues to loosen up. My neighbor didn't feel like his 2010 SS LS3 Camaro was broken in until around 10000 miles.