[garyahouse]

Oh yeah, sport mode. I haven't even figured out how to use that yet. Guess I forgot it came with the car. Hmmm: will have to play around with that one-a-these days.

 

[garyahouse]

Another entry: I've been doing some serious reading about the design of this 2023 2.5 ICE engine. Looks like Hyundai has done an amazing job with it, and it appears that they've worked all the bugs out of their engine development department. The technology and execution is getting some pretty rave reviews across the net.

So again today, the new Tucson sat quietly in the driveway while I was out tooling around on the Honda. I also own a 2018 Honda Goldwing DCT tour. She's got that amazing 7 speed automatic trainee and I just love it. Since the weather's still relatively cool outside, I'd rather be riding than driving... if ya get my drift. The Tucson will just have to wait it's turn. But soon enough it will be too hot and miserable outside to ride the Honda as summer time's NO TIME to be riding a motorcycle in Florida. The brutal heat takes all the fun out of it. But for now, whenever I gotta go somewhere, the bike usually gets the call.
I'll post this just for fun:

 

[Tucspouse]

That's a delight to the eyes, the wildlife too. I love that backrest, and the BOB has got a right fine perch as well.

And considering all the problems with the last design engine it's more a matter that they sure better do better on this one. I still can't believe our all-new re-designed model didn't get the 2.5 turbo that even the 'old model' '21 Santa Fe has. But these things usually wind up either so-called "anti-cannibalism", "strategic price point" or simply CAFE issues.

 

[garyahouse]

Tuc: I wonder about that too. Seems like this vehicle would sell a bunch more copies if they included the turbo variant for a few more bucks. Your guess about the CAFE requirements may have something to do with it. But like so many manufacturers, they might wait a year to roll out additional engine options, maybe even including some "sporty" touches to give it a high performance look. Time will tell. My buddy's got the new Santa Cruz with that engine. He says it's a rocket and he loves it. HMMMM....

The BOB? Ya lost me buddy.

 

[Tucspouse]

B*#@% On Back

 

[garyahouse]

Ah, babe on the back. Occasionally, that would be my 10 year old grand daughter, she loves to ride with Poppy. But no ladies in my life. I've got all I can do to handle two adult daughters. They sure keep me busy. But the Honda is a hoot to ride and honestly I'd rather take it than the Tucson (or any other car for that matter) most of the time. But I just ride solo. The Gold Wing with it's DCT trannie is a joy and I'm so thankful that I can own one.

NOTICED SOMETHING ELSE TODAY:
LIftgate orientation is amazing. When backing my minivan up against the garage door, I had to maintain a significant amount of space so I could get the rear deck open if needed. Not necessary with the Tucson. When I open the liftgate, it requires VERY LITTLE room behind the vehicle to open w/o hitting anything. Nice job Hyundai.

 

[Tampa8]

...

NOTICED SOMETHING ELSE TODAY:
LIftgate orientation is amazing. When backing my minivan up against the garage door, I had to maintain a significant amount of space so I could get the rear deck open if needed. Not necessary with the Tucson. When I open the liftgate, it requires VERY LITTLE room behind the vehicle to open w/o hitting anything. Nice job Hyundai.

And the opening height adjustment, and speed adds more versatility.

 

[BK 22]

--In Florida, rear wipers don't last long, as they are ALWAYS directly in the sun. But not on the new Tucson. Another nice touch.
--The rear wheel-wells are designed with an interesting rough outer surface: appears to be some sort of sound proofing. Perhaps that's another one of the reasons that the Tucson is quieter inside than the Rav4, CX5 or the CRV.
--Tow rating is 2000 lbs. with my 2.5 base model engine. The Rav4 and CRV are only rated for 1500.

As to the rear wiper, I flummoxed r the worker at a new wash , who was putting a plastic cover on all SUV’s rear wiper. As he went to the cal if our Tucson, he just stood there not knowing what to do. He knew there should be one there, but couldn’t figure out where it was hiding. That was worth the price of admission ( and a wash).
As for those little Easter egg finds on the Tucson, my favorite is as I get out of the SUV, it reminds me I left my cell phone in the charger. That’s cool!

 

[Tampa8]

....
As for those little Easter egg finds on the Tucson, my favorite is as I get out of the SUV, it reminds me I left my cell phone in the charger. That’s cool!

And I like the little red light that lets you know the phone is in the charger correctly charging.

 

[garyahouse]

And I like the little red light that lets you know the phone is in the charger correctly charging.

I knew about the charging indicator light (orange, isn't it?) but not about the warning (that phone was left in charger) given when exiting the vehicle. As a matter of fact, I've done so several times and don't recall any warning, however, phone might not have been in charger.

 

[Tampa8]

I knew about the charging indicator light (orange, isn't it?) but not about the warning (that phone was left in charger) given when exiting the vehicle. As a matter of fact, I've done so several times and don't recall any warning, however, phone might not have been in charger.

On mine shows on the cluster screen same area as when the sunroof is left open, etc..

 

[garyahouse]

Ha, no sunroof either, Tampa. Just the plain-jane SEL. But hey, 31k out the door: I can't complain

 

[Tampa8]

Ha, no sunroof either, Tampa. Just the plain-jane SEL. But hey, 31k out the door: I can't complain

😱

 

[garyahouse]

Another little item:
Have been carefully documenting my fuel mileage at each fill up with my calculator. I've commented on it many times on these pages. However, there's some new information that is far more accurate. Thus far at 1500 miles on the clock, the computer is telling me I'm averaging 35 mpg since the car was new. However, my calculator is telling me it's closer to 31.
HMMM... Seems that the computer is rather optimistic:
----- the calculator don't lie folks. Miles driven over gallons used equals mileage: end of story... no matter what the computer seems to think.

 

[Tampa8]

Another little item:
Have been carefully documenting my fuel mileage at each fill up with my calculator. I've commented on it many times on these pages. However, there's some new information that is far more accurate. Thus far at 1500 miles on the clock, the computer is telling me I'm averaging 34 mpg since the car was new. However, my calculator is telling me it's closer to 30.
HMMM... Seems that the computer is rather optimistic:
----- the calculator don't lie folks. Miles driven over gallons used equals mileage: end of story... no matter what the computer seems to think.

Well, not quite. Even if you only fuel to when the pump stops, that is very different not only at different gas stations but can be on different pumps at the same station. If you only fill on the slowest fill rate that difference can be minimized.

Temperature plays a role as we know. Gas contracts, not alot but a little it does in cold. So you may put in a little more in.
Remember, the computer is not affected by that, it is computing what it sees as gas actually being used, not how much you put in.

"According to Snopes, gasoline expands or contracts 1% with every 15 degrees of temperature change. If a gallon of gas gets colder, it actually shrinks slightly and takes up less than a gallon of space. Likewise, if that gallon of gas gets hot, it will expand."
From Snopes -
"I've been in petroleum pipeline business for about 31 years, currently working for the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline here in San Jose, CA. We deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period from the pipe line; one day it's diesel, the next day it's jet fuel and gasoline. We have 34 storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons. Here are some tricks to help you get your money's worth:1. Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground; and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so if you're filling up in the afternoon or in the evening, what should be a gallon is not exactly a gallon."

The computer is not 100% correct there is no question about that. And there are a couple things that can make it not quite accurate. But chances are the mpg lies closer to the computer or at the least midway between a self calculated figure and the computer.

The real strength of the computer mpg is over time, as opposed to just one trip. I think I already posted using full tank at a time is more accurate from what I see.

 

[garyahouse]

Wise words, Tampa.
That's why I reserved my observations until now. Two things to consider: I live in Florida. Fuel temps haven't varied as much here (in the past 7 weeks) as they might in other regions of the country. Add to that fuel is stored underground at more consistent temps than ambient air.
Next, fill-ups are hard to gauge. My guess as to when to stop filling is going to vary. I get that. Therefore I've reserved my comments on this subject until I had more (a lot more) information. The plus or minus 1/2 gallon error I might have in filling is now divided out by 1500 miles. That reduces error to a fraction of what it might be during one fill-up.

That said, I am confident that my car's computer is indeed optimistic. Putting exact numbers on it is not possible. However, since I actually pay for the gallons I buy, that is the only thing that concerns me. The cost of driving this car is not dictated by what the car's computer tells me, but rather by what my wallet has to cough up. And right now, I'm coughing @ just a fraction under 30mpg. The car's computer boasted 34.1 (total since new) this morning. My records and my math are accurate. I'm showing the computer is roughly 12% optimistic. I'm not done, of course, and am confident that this number will continue to rise now the she's getting broke in and the ambient temps are rising. Time will tell.

 

[Tampa8]

Wise words, Tampa.
That's why I reserved my observations until now. Two things to consider: I live in Florida. Fuel temps haven't varied as much here (in the past 7 weeks) as they might in other regions of the country. Add to that fuel is stored underground at more consistent temps than ambient air.
Next, fill-ups are hard to gauge. My guess as to when to stop filling is going to vary. I get that. Therefore I've reserved my comments on this subject until I had more (a lot more) information. The plus or minus 1/2 gallon error I might have in filling is now divided out by 1500 miles. That reduces error to a fraction of what it might be during one fill-up.

That said, I am confident that my car's computer is indeed optimistic. Putting exact numbers on it is not possible. However, since I actually pay for the gallons I buy, that is the only thing that concerns me. The cost of driving this car is not dictated by what the car's computer tells me, but rather by what my wallet has to cough up. And right now, I'm coughing @ just a fraction under 30mpg. The car's computer boasted 34.1 (total since new) this morning. My records and my math are accurate. I'm showing the computer is roughly 12% optimistic. I'm not done, of course, and am confident that this number will continue to rise now the she's getting broke in and the ambient temps are rising. Time will tell.

Reading various car threads your observation is that of many posters, the computer seems a little optimistic. I think mine is.

 

[garyahouse]

I will continue to report back on this issue as time goes on. However, at this point I've only filled it something like 6 times.

 

[garyahouse]

I was doing a little work under the hood evaluating where I might install a catch can. Couldn’t help but notice how there’s plenty of room under the hood to work on things. A notable difference between the Tucson and so many other compact SUVs.

 

[garyahouse]

Today I came to appreciate yet another facet of the way my adaptive cruise control (ACC) works. It certainly works better than my Dodge Challenger's ACC did (I sold it). When I have the ACC engaged, cars are constantly cutting in front of me. Since I keep a 3-4 second gap between my car and those in front of me, everybody wants to jump in my lane. I'm fine with that: part of the price I pay to drive safe and stay off my brakes, if that makes sense. But I'm especially glad that the Tucson's ACC doesn't slam on the brakes each time they do this.