2013 RT - 800 mile trip KY-TN-NC

[kyace2003]

We have a 2013 RT and went on a 800 mile trip this past weekend and I am very happy to report that the Spyder performed as expected and that we had a great time riding the back roads of TN and NC.

One observation that I made was that one particular fill up, the Spyder ran hotter than it did on any previous fill ups and any after this fill up. Has anyone else noticed this oddity? We were travelling the expressway around 70 MPH and ambient was around 90 degrees, which I have ridden in many times before so I was surprised by this. No other fill up yielded this oddity and there were plenty on this 800 mile trip.

The trip involved going over the mountain in both the daylight and dark in Gatlinburg, TN as well as many two/four lane roads from there to Crossville, TN and up 127 into KY. Except for the one tank that we had 21 MPG at best, we seemed to avg 28 MPG using various types of stations to fill up from.

Given that we have a 2013 RT and that there have been many challenges with them, I was very happy that she performed as desired on this trip and look forward to many more.

 

[Bob Denman]

Was that re-fueling, with a different octane or brand? Did you change-up, and end up with ethanol in the tank this time? (Or NOT get ethanol?)
Was there a change in the traffic? Were you travelling slower, or in "stop & go" traffic?

 

[kyace2003]

Really don't know if I went from ethanol to non ethanol, although typically I use United Dairy Farmers in my area and I haven't noticed any sign indicating ethanol, I know for a fact I did use gas with ethanol multiple times on the trip. The particular station was Pilot which I had used before in my cars without any issues and I don't recall seeing a sign indicating ethanol involved but I also do not know what the law states about this disclosure.

Traffic pattern wasn't different enough, we were able to travel pretty much any speed we wanted and usually I cruise around 70 - 75 when my wife is with me, this was on the interstate when we had this oddity, on the back roads where I was up/down shifting a bunch it never did this.

To the best of my knowledge I stuck with 87 octane across the board.

There were a couple of times I filled up with 10% ethanol on the pump, however when the light comes on, I usually do not mess around too long before filling it up.

I understand there are a number of factors, given that we have 7800 miles and this is the first time I had noticed this I thought it was just odd enough that it was mentioning and given the differences between the 2013s that has been documented so well here it was an interesting data point.

I am planning on going on another trip here soon, 750 miles to eat catfish in Chattanooga, TN and will try to not use that particular station and see if the Spyder has the same reaction on the trip, if it does, then it wasn't the gas that caused it, if it doesn't, it may be the gas that caused it and is something to keep an eye on.

 

[Copperman]

Some parts of the country have different formulas. So I've heard.

I've noticed that, too. I could be on a trip and getting 25 mpg for three straight tanks. Then on one tank I get 30 mpg and then back to 25. I don't get it!


I did notice that I got way better mileage when I was in Durango, better than I've ever gotten. I just assumed it was the elevation.

Oh, well.