Hyper Mileing

[Da Klugs]

Been reading up on folks that take Prius's et al and get 100-200 miles MPG. Pretty amazing. I checked what my mileage was the other day on my daily 3.5 mile commute... `12.8. Arrgh.

Tonight decided to try and "hypermile" and see how much better mileage the trip computer would yield. Kept it below 1800 RPM (car wont upshift even with the paddles below this RPM) when I was paying attention. Got up to the speed limits and cruised.

Got delayed exiting the lot and had to do a full stop.
Made the right OK.
Made the right on to the N/S without having to full stop.
Made the first light, missed the second had to stop.
Made the third light.
Made the left without having to stop.
Neighborhood cruise was smooth.

18.8

Pretty amazing the difference between "normal" and if not hyper at least paying attention mileing. Gonna make it a daily commute game.

[cbsmokin]

Just be safe, don't draft an 18 wheeler or anything like that.

[chippewastud79]

My fiance has been doing this for quite sometime and is getting over 30 in her daily commute.

I hate moving slow, but it sure does work :tu

[webjunkie]

It's amazing how much better mpg you can get from your car when you're not always flooring it. I remember my wife and I were heading to a concert in Denver and when we left the car said we had half a tank. She pretty much kept the pedal in the carpet the whole way there. Less than a fourth of a tank left. I drove with a very relaxed manner (it's not like I'm going to get locked out of my own apartment if I take to long) on the way back and barely made a dent.

[smitdavi]

Thankfully, I can drive how ever I please and I average 28.5. When I really pay attention I can push 37 mpg on the highway. I've read a few articles about hyper mileing...it's pretty interesting

[MTB996]

To me, driving my car to maximize mileage is like smoking Swishers to save money. Nothing makes me smile like minimizing my mpg on my way to work.:D

[poker]

To me, driving my car to maximize mileage is like smoking Swishers to save money. Nothing makes me smile like minimizing my mpg on my way to work.:D

:tpd:
=going downhill with the engine off I think I get around 20mpg. Damn 4.10 gears. LOL

[smitdavi]

:tpd:
=going downhill with the engine off I think I get around 20mpg. Damn 4.10 gears. LOL

With a tail wind right you can squeeze a few extra miles right :ss

[4WheelVFR]

:tpd:
=going downhill with the engine off I think I get around 20mpg. Damn 4.10 gears. LOL

The S2000 with 4.57's still got 25 mpg...and that was with multiple, daily 9000 rpm shifts.:D I need another one, but it won't fit in the garage...yet.

[Jay Hemingway]

The S2000 with 4.57's still got 25 mpg...and that was with multiple, daily 9000 rpm shifts.:D I need another one, but it won't fit in the garage...yet.

you can get a few more MPG's in that thing, being on the tail end of my WRX! :D

[4WheelVFR]

you can get a few more MPG's in that thing, being on the tail end of my WRX! :D

:rIt's like being on S2Ki.com again. I need pics of the Scooby now. Unless you are modded, I'd give you a run for your money.:cb;)
I don't have it any more and the Pathfinder is on everybody's tail end. I've seen faster bicycles. The Pathfinder is a great SUV though. Very reliable and will go almost anywhere. I haven't been hypermileing, but being conscious of my driving took my MPG from an avg. of 12-13 to 15-16. 2-4 mpg is a big difference on that side of the spectrum.

[poker]

The S2000 with 4.57's still got 25 mpg...and that was with multiple, daily 9000 rpm shifts.:D I need another one, but it won't fit in the garage...yet.

4.57's, 9K shifts and 25mpg? whoa!
My car must suck then :r

[4WheelVFR]

4.57's, 9K shifts and 25mpg? whoa!
My car must suck then :r

Somehow I doubt it. My Mom had a stock S2K and got over 30 mpg on the highway regularly. It's a fantastic car, just not a drag racer.:D

[poker]

I want one of these :r


Smart car with a Suzuki GSXR motor in it. I just want it for the sound LOL!!!


The Smartuki!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ7OtQgEFOI

[smitdavi]

I want one of these :r


Smart car with a Suzuki GSXR motor in it. I just want it for the sound LOL!!!


The Smartuki!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ7OtQgEFOI

WOW...that is awesome. Some of the other videos are really cool :tu

[Da Klugs]

http://www.active.com/Assets/lifestylevehicles/2008+Audi+A8L+quattro+AT6b.jpg

4400 lbs 350 horse.

Get about 27MPG @ 70 on the highway which wa a pleasant surprize. Just something fun to do on the way to and from work. Gonna try and break 20MPG.

[SeanGAR]

If I watch it and drive the limit I get over 40. Normal driving I get 35. If I drive 80+ on the highway that drops to 32 or so. Not bad for an 18 year old shatbox with 314K on it.

[Da Klugs]

If I watch it and drive the limit I get over 40. Normal driving I get 35. If I drive 80 on the highway that drops to 32 or so. Not bad for an 18 year old shatbox with 314K on it.

You are a blessing to the planet. :D

[Ace$nyper]

To me, driving my car to maximize mileage is like smoking Swishers to save money. Nothing makes me smile like minimizing my mpg on my way to work.:D

Amen, some things on life you just can't skimp.

My Camaro does better on the highway then my Civic. My camaro isn't bad on the milage at all, the civic... not so much.

I've managed to do the math out on hop laps I do around 8 miles a gallon 1.8 good for econ? Not when I'm done with it :r

[jkim05]

I hover around the 20 mpg mark in my v8 4runner, not bad I think for that car. I like to try to max out my gas mileage. It's a fun game.

[Steve]

It's amazing when I go in early/stay late what a difference it makes. I can pick up 2,3 sometime 4 mpg just by getting outta traffic. When you drive a 10,000lb beast, inertia IS NOT your friend, at least not if you have to stop. I'll have to try a few of the other tactics though.

(btw, I have a 20 mile commute each way)


Been reading up on folks that take Prius's et al and get 100-200 miles MPG. Pretty amazing. I checked what my mileage was the other day on my daily 3.5 mile commute... `12.8. Arrgh.

Tonight decided to try and "hypermile" and see how much better mileage the trip computer would yield. Kept it below 1800 RPM (car wont upshift even with the paddles below this RPM) when I was paying attention. Got up to the speed limits and cruised.

Got delayed exiting the lot and had to do a full stop.
Made the right OK.
Made the right on to the N/S without having to full stop.
Made the first light, missed the second had to stop.
Made the third light.
Made the left without having to stop.
Neighborhood cruise was smooth.

18.8

Pretty amazing the difference between "normal" and if not hyper at least paying attention mileing. Gonna make it a daily commute game.

[n3uka]

I think the only way I could hypermile would be to walk.
Out of my 4 vehicles, the best one gets 14.8 mpg. :hn

[Sauer Grapes]

The worst I've gotten was 29 on the highway with sub-freezing temps at 75 mph. The best I've gotten is a bit over 40 around the city. Usually get between 32 and 36 combined. I have an Altima Hybrid. What I like about the car is I can basically drive it normally and get at least 32 MPG. It's only got 200HP, but it moves better than my last car which was 205HP. It's plenty fast for not being a sports car and downright crazy fast for a hybrid. (fast for a hybrid isn't saying too much)

I've never tried hyper mileing but I've noticed that people tailgate me a lot more in the hybrid because they assume I'll drive like a wuss in it. Even if I'm going my normal 5 over, I still get tailgated a lot more.

[DavenportESQ]

Land Rover was made for discovering, and gas guzzling, not for fuel efficiency. I think I get right about 12 around town, increases to a sweet 18 on the highway doing 70. When I go off road and downshift I get a solid 8. I could prob. sell this get something cheaper and use the money I save on cigars...Now that is a plan!

I am thrilled gas is going down. I have never tried this "hyper mileing" you guys speak of, but I will now!

[Da Klugs]

Kinda forgot until the first stop sign (3/4 mile) that I was going to do this.
Was at 9.2 at that point.

Rolled the stop sign out of the neighborhood.
Rolled the right stop onto the N/S.
Made the light
Took the left at 35. :)
Made the light and took the right @ 30
Made the left @ 30
Rolled the stop sign and made a left
Right @ 20 into lot and Unfettered to my parking spot

17.4

Things I'm doing differently:

1800 rpm max (except for the beginning today)
Shifting to neutral here and there.
Forcing upshifts on the paddles
Trying to keep momentum... avoiding full stops.

[theycallmedan'lboone]

Been reading up on folks that take Prius's et al and get 100-200 miles MPG. Pretty amazing. I checked what my mileage was the other day on my daily 3.5 mile commute... `12.8. Arrgh.

Tonight decided to try and "hypermile" and see how much better mileage the trip computer would yield. Kept it below 1800 RPM (car wont upshift even with the paddles below this RPM) when I was paying attention. Got up to the speed limits and cruised.

Got delayed exiting the lot and had to do a full stop.
Made the right OK.
Made the right on to the N/S without having to full stop.
Made the first light, missed the second had to stop.
Made the third light.
Made the left without having to stop.
Neighborhood cruise was smooth.

18.8

Pretty amazing the difference between "normal" and if not hyper at least paying attention mileing. Gonna make it a daily commute game.

lwhat are you driving?

[mrreindeer]

Kinda forgot until the first stop sign (3/4 mile) that I was going to do this.
Was at 9.2 at that point.

Rolled the stop sign out of the neighborhood.
Rolled the right stop onto the N/S.
Made the light
Took the left at 35. :)
Made the light and took the right @ 30
Made the left @ 30
Rolled the stop sign and made a left
Right @ 20 into lot and Unfettered to my parking spot

17.4

Things I'm doing differently:

1800 rpm max (except for the beginning today)
Shifting to neutral here and there.
Forcing upshifts on the paddles
Trying to keep momentum... avoiding full stops.

Wow, Dave, I've never even heard of hypermileing. I may just have to try it to see. I get a pretty solid 17 - 18 mpg on my 55 mile roundtrip commute every day. Pretty cool; thanks for the idea!

Just one question? Do you save enough on gas to make up for traffic tickets for rolling the stops? :D:D

[mrreindeer]

I want one of these :r


Smart car with a Suzuki GSXR motor in it. I just want it for the sound LOL!!!


The Smartuki!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ7OtQgEFOI

You don't happen to live in Cali....oh wait, hi Kelly. :D

[Da Klugs]

lwhat are you driving?

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpost.php?p=55967&postcount=16
:)

Wow, Dave, I've never even heard of hypermileing. I may just have to try it to see. I get a pretty solid 17 - 18 mpg on my 55 mile roundtrip commute every day. Pretty cool; thanks for the idea!

Just one question? Do you save enough on gas to make up for traffic tickets for rolling the stops? :D:D

My thoughts exactly when posting the line. :D I think that changing the definition of a stop sign to "sub 2mph" vs a full stop would save millions of gallons of gas every year. That initial point of inertia has gotta be ugly from an energy use standpoint. Changing it is something that we could do though that does not carry a direct cost.

[mrreindeer]

My thoughts exactly when posting the line. :D I think that changing the definition of a stop sign to "sub 2mph" vs a full stop would save millions of gallons of gas every year. That initial point of inertia has gotta be ugly from an energy use standpoint.

Absolutely! Not to mention that it'd save me $$$ in rolling stop tickets! I've accumulated, oh, just a few in my time...

[ucla695]

I tried this on the way to work today and it was really hard to keep the revs down that low. Especially, when trying to come up to freeway speeds. :D So, I think I’m going to try a modified approach to this. I’m going to try (man will this be hard) to lay off the gas as much as possible, accelerate a little more smoothly and coast a bit more to buffer the ebb and flow of traffic. The way I drive now, I’m lucky if I get 18 mpg (mixed driving – city/freeway), but hopefully I’ll see some improvement.

[Scottw]

I average 32 MPG but am always looking for ways to get it down. I have a 53 mile commute to work (one way).

[ucla695]

Absolutely! Not to mention that it'd save me $$$ in rolling stop tickets! I've accumulated, oh, just a few in my time...

Laser and radar traps are not my friend. :bh

[Sailchaser]

My right foot has an allergy to slow driving but I have been putting the MPG up on the counsel lately and it does make a difference if I pay attention to it. If I behave I can get 28 out of the Minivan :D

[mrreindeer]

I’m going to try (man will this be hard) to lay off the gas as much as possible

I'm with you Mike; sooooo hard to not punch it at the light at cut off the likes of Mel Gibson and Paris Hilton out here....

I average 32 MPG but am always looking for ways to get it down. I have a 53 mile commute to work (one way).

Jeez Scott....I didn't realize you worked on the moon!!! That's rough!

Laser and radar traps are not my friend. :bh

Watch Olympic Blvd....man, the no front license plate saved my a$$ a bit ago. We now live in my Dad's old house that he originally bought with my stepmom back in the late '80's. So I used to stay there on weekends and during the summers and last year I got a radar ticket in the EXACT same spot that I did in 1989, dabnabit! I guess I didn't learn my lesson....

And those red light robots kill me too; watch out Dave! I rolled through one in Hawthorne and got nabbed. But I do have a very nice picture of myself.

[Jay Hemingway]

:rIt's like being on S2Ki.com again. I need pics of the Scooby now. Unless you are modded, I'd give you a run for your money.:cb;)
I don't have it any more and the Pathfinder is on everybody's tail end. I've seen faster bicycles. The Pathfinder is a great SUV though. Very reliable and will go almost anywhere. I haven't been hypermileing, but being conscious of my driving took my MPG from an avg. of 12-13 to 15-16. 2-4 mpg is a big difference on that side of the spectrum.


:D i knew you would find that funny.

s2k's are quick, don't get me wrong, i test drove one the same day i bought the WRX. i also test drove a honda SI, Acura RSX type s, and an EVO 9. went home with the suby. the fastest one was the EVO, to much $ for it though and no power windows? no thanks. back to the S2k, they are fast but off the line i will pull almost 2 cars ahead of ya before you get into 2nd. by that time i am gone. these WRX's are torque monsters and with the all wheel drive, they are gone instantly. in a long run the S2k will catch up, but light to light on the street, never beat the WRX. stock of course. i do love the honda and acura 9k shifting!! my best friend has a GSR, fast as hell, 9k shifting too. my best man has a ford lightning SVT with 550 Hp and 11 second 1/4 miles! he also has an EVO. lucky SOB!
used to be really into all of that, had a 91 civic hatch with B-16 (si) swap. full ground kit,neons,rims, etc. moved on and just got the fast car right from the lot. put a down pipe, turbo back and ram air, so far. got a boost controler and a tune going down soon. 300 hp all wheel turbo, i am happy.
:D

i'll look for some pic's soon. pics of the back of it in the "post your ride" thread.

[Resipsa]

Kinda forgot until the first stop sign (3/4 mile) that I was going to do this.
Was at 9.2 at that point.

Rolled the stop sign out of the neighborhood.
Rolled the right stop onto the N/S.
Made the light
Took the left at 35. :)
Made the light and took the right @ 30
Made the left @ 30
Rolled the stop sign and made a left
Right @ 20 into lot and Unfettered to my parking spot
...........so.........after you factor in the costs of your traffic tickets when you get pulled over for rolling stops, what's the bottom cost-benefit analysis look like???:D:D:r


EDIT: Forget the dummy. MY post shows the need to read the whole thread:r

[Da Klugs]

..........so.........after you factor in the costs of your traffic tickets when you get pulled over for rolling stops, what's the bottom cost-benefit analysis look like???:D:D:r


EDIT: Forget the dummy. This post shows the need to read the whole thread:r

Hey we are trying to save the planet here! :D

http://entimg.msn.com/i/125/tv/Celebreality/celebreality_jgoldblum_125.jpg

[Resipsa]

Hey we are trying to save the planet here! :D

http://entimg.msn.com/i/125/tv/Celebreality/celebreality_jgoldblum_125.jpg
Well then, to stay in character......Must drive FASTER........:r

http://www.linternaute.com/sortir/cinema/diaporama/06/films-plus-lucratifs/jurassic-park.jpg

[poker]

Laser and radar traps are not my friend. :bh

Valentine One

Saved my ass more times than I can count.

http://www.valentine1.com/

[AAlmeter]

For the sake of your fellow drivers, please only do this where you can safely and easily be passed.

I almost scratched my truck on a front porch today when I had to pass a "hyper miler" by going over a few lawns.

[Da Klugs]

For the sake of your fellow drivers, please only do this where you can safely and easily be passed.

I almost scratched my truck on a front porch today when I had to pass a "hyper miler" by going over a few lawns.

I go the speed limit+++ so maybe "mileage aware" is the more appropriate term.

Got 21.7 coming back from the post office to the office. No full stops at 3 intersections, used neutral more after getting up to speed. Seems the paddles will up shift to 2nd and 3rd at 1400 rpm manually vs around 2000+ in automatic. Think these things made a difference.

Will see on the way home.

[MTB996]

The S2000 with 4.57's still got 25 mpg...and that was with multiple, daily 9000 rpm shifts.:D I need another one, but it won't fit in the garage...yet.

Believe it or not, I average around 20mpg driving the vette HARD (99% of the time) and if I just cruise on the highway at 80mph, I can average close to 30mpg! Big gearing, light weight, aerodynamic and buckets of torque can be very friendly on the highway.

Its funny when someone in an old SUV which gets 12mpg sees me at the gas station and asks "what's that thing get for mileage?" and I tell them about twice theirs! :D

I love my 435HP tree-hugging, economical, grocery-getter. :tu

[lightning9191]

...lay off the gas as much as possible, accelerate a little more smoothly and coast a bit more to buffer the ebb and flow of traffic.

I started doing this after the price of gas shot up. I read somewhere that you should drive as though you have a hard boiled egg between your foot and the accelerator. You are allowed to crack the shell, but not allowed to squish the egg.

[Ashcan Bill]

Valentine One

Saved my ass more times than I can count.

http://www.valentine1.com/

I've lost count of how many times my Beltronics has paid for itself. :tu

[nozero]

I average 2? mpg in my WRX T/R. But since the price of gas has dropped and it's so much fun to drive....
;)

[RGD.]

I have a 160 hp race chip in my 10K pounds of American made diesel drinking F350. Not made for hyper mileing - :ss

Gets 18 mpg while embarrassing souped up rice burners from light to light - :D


Ron

[Da Klugs]

Noticed that on the way to the bank as i got there had gotten 12.8 MPG. Paid attention and with no real changes other than keeping my rpms down and forcing upshifts with the paddles at 1750 RPM got 18.9 on the way back.

[AAlmeter]

Noticed that on the way to the bank as i got there had gotten 12.8 MPG. Paid attention and with no real changes other than keeping my rpms down and forcing upshifts with the paddles at 1750 RPM got 18.9 on the way back.

You sure you weren't going downhill? :hm

[shilala]

I get 15mpg in the Envoy while I'm smoking a cigar, lounging in my giant heated seats, listening to my ipod at mind-numbing volume.
I don't even have to pay attention or nothing, still 15.5 mpg.
I can't imagine giving up all that comfort and power to get 12.8 mpg on the way to the bank. That'd make me crack. :)

What's that thing gotten over the life of the car?
Since I got my Envoy it's 15.5 mpg. I've wondered how the Prius really does cause I hear a lot of folks griping.

[Da Klugs]

You sure you weren't going downhill? :hm

Only in my use of pithy comebacks.

I get 15mpg in the Envoy while I'm smoking a cigar, lounging in my giant heated seats, listening to my ipod at mind-numbing volume.
I don't even have to pay attention or nothing, still 15.5 mpg.
I can't imagine giving up all that comfort and power to get 12.8 mpg on the way to the bank. That'd make me crack. :)

What's that thing gotten over the life of the car?
Since I got my Envoy it's 15.5 mpg. I've wondered how the Prius really does cause I hear a lot of folks griping.

Audi A8L, 350 hp V8, is pretty comfey as well. :ss

[shilala]

Audi A8L, 350 hp V8, is pretty comfey as well. :ss
Atta boy. :D
I can't imagine stuffing my fat ass in a Prius.
I'd need some grease and a big shoehorn. I had to drive those little cars when I was a kid. I don't think I'd be able to bring myself to doing it all over again.

[Da Klugs]

Atta boy. :D
I can't imagine stuffing my fat ass in a Prius.
I'd need some grease and a big shoehorn. I had to drive those little cars when I was a kid. I don't think I'd be able to bring myself to doing it all over again.

The thread title is misleading. :) Just my lil way of amusing myself with experimenting with how my driving style impacts mileage. It's been interesting how little changes (limiting RPM not speed) can have big impacts on city MPG. Big changes can have additional impact... rolling stops, using neutral etc.

[shilala]

The thread title is misleading. :) Just my lil way of amusing myself with experimenting with how my driving style impacts mileage. It's been interesting how little changes (limiting RPM not speed) can have big impacts on city MPG. Big changes can have additional impact... rolling stops, using neutral etc.
I was confused so I went back and read some more and I get it now. :)

[Da Klugs]

I was confused so I went back and read some more and I get it now. :)

He he.

Re the Prius, I rented one a few weeks ago in MD to see what was what. Not the compact car of our youth. Pretty roomy due to its jelly bean shape. Lots of width and leg room. I was surprised. Got 48 MPG just flogging it and going 80 on the highway was overall pretty impressed. A blinged out version/better looking car might be tempting. Like the concept of regenerative braking in any vehicle to help the city MPG. If you look at the newly released Mercedes they use a battery no larger than the normal one to do the duty and a generic inline electric motor. More performance and better mileage = a good thing.

[shilala]

He he.

Re the Prius, I rented one a few weeks ago in MD to see what was what. Not the compact car of our youth. Pretty roomy due to its jelly bean shape. Lots of width and leg room. I was surprised. Got 48 MPG just flogging it and going 80 on the highway was overall pretty impressed. A blinged out version/better looking car might be tempting. Like the concept of regenerative braking in any vehicle to help the city MPG. If you look at the newly released Mercedes they use a battery no larger than the normal one to do the duty and a generic inline electric motor. More performance and better mileage = a good thing.

I looked at the great big Tahoe Denali Hybrid.
All that tech cranks out a whopping 17mpg. :D
I like a lot of metal and I enjoy feeling like I'm driving my living room to the store. If they get around to building an STS that gets 30mpg, it might pique my attention. Otherwise I'm trapped in the stone-age. :)

[ucla695]

Valentine One

Saved my ass more times than I can count.

http://www.valentine1.com/

Thanks. I'm looking into getting one. :)

I managed to get my mixed city/freeway up to 19.8, which is better than the 18 mpg I was getting, but I still think I can do better.

[Da Klugs]

I looked at the great big Tahoe Denali Hybrid.
All that tech cranks out a whopping 17mpg. :D
I like a lot of metal and I enjoy feeling like I'm driving my living room to the store. If they get around to building an STS that gets 30mpg, it might pique my attention. Otherwise I'm trapped in the stone-age. :)

Thats really my interest in all this. I get 27 on the highway which is pretty good for a 5000 lb car. City is the issue. Adding a lil hybrid stuff to this type of car at a small premium in cost would make lots of sense and is going to happen much faster than anyone thinks. Just enough to get you going 30-40 mph till the next stop/regenerate is a huge opportunity for improvement.

[Langod]

The thread title is misleading. :) Just my lil way of amusing myself with experimenting with how my driving style impacts mileage. It's been interesting how little changes (limiting RPM not speed) can have big impacts on city MPG. Big changes can have additional impact... rolling stops, using neutral etc.

Be aware that coasting in neutral with most modern automatic transmission cars will actually hurt your mileage. (I don't know if this is true with maunal transmissions too) A modern automatic -- when you are coasting with your foot off the gas, will drop into a mode where it only fires cylinders frequently enough to keep the engine spinning, but while in neutral, it actually uses more gas because it's at a full idle. You can see it on some car's computers -- my wife's Subaru Legacy shows the mpg meter max out at 99.9 mpg (which means it's probably higher) while coasting in gear as opposed to about 65mpg on the same hill/speed while in neutral.

Noticed my Maxima seems to get better mileage in gear also. (tough to tell for real -- no computer display).

I just do it to save more gas money for my '03 SVT Cobra -- has a supercharged V8 that I've gotten down to 2mpg whilst "driving spiritedly". (it normally gets about 18-20mpg around town, though)

[Da Klugs]

Be aware that coasting in neutral with most modern automatic transmission cars will actually hurt your mileage. (I don't know if this is true with maunal transmissions too) A modern automatic -- when you are coasting with your foot off the gas, will drop into a mode where it only fires cylinders frequently enough to keep the engine spinning, but while in neutral, it actually uses more gas because it's at a full idle. You can see it on some car's computers -- my wife's Subaru Legacy shows the mpg meter max out at 99.9 mpg (which means it's probably higher) while coasting in gear as opposed to about 65mpg on the same hill/speed while in neutral.

Noticed my Maxima seems to get better mileage in gear also. (tough to tell for real -- no computer display).

I just do it to save more gas money for my '03 SVT Cobra -- has a supercharged V8 that I've gotten down to 2mpg whilst "driving spiritedly". (it normally gets about 18-20mpg around town, though)

Have read the same things re neutral. Not the case on my Audi. Runs at 1100-1200 RPM while in gear and I think the AWD comes into play re the efficiency. In neutral, drops to 800 rpm. Huge difference in the Mpg and the "feel". Closest thing I can think of is my old 70's Saab with the "freewheel" option. Seems much less transmission drag is the difference coupled with the lower rpm.

Got 10.5 on the way to work. I was late and hittin it!

[Seanohue]

I average 2? mpg in my WRX T/R. But since the price of gas has dropped and it's so much fun to drive....
;)

Ever since I got a new set of tires, the mileage on the WRX took a nosedive. I used to get 26, now I get 21. I've tried "hyper mileing", but trying to accelerate with just the boxer-4 and not having the turbo kick in is painful, since it doesn't even start spooling until 2800.

[mmblz]

To me, driving my car to maximize mileage is like smoking Swishers to save money. Nothing makes me smile like minimizing my mpg on my way to work.:D

:tpd:

I was once nicknamed "binary pedal" (gas is either on or off)
;)

[Sancho]

Be aware that coasting in neutral with most modern automatic transmission cars will actually hurt your mileage. (I don't know if this is true with maunal transmissions too) A modern automatic -- when you are coasting with your foot off the gas, will drop into a mode where it only fires cylinders frequently enough to keep the engine spinning, but while in neutral, it actually uses more gas because it's at a full idle. You can see it on some car's computers -- my wife's Subaru Legacy shows the mpg meter max out at 99.9 mpg (which means it's probably higher) while coasting in gear as opposed to about 65mpg on the same hill/speed while in neutral.

Noticed my Maxima seems to get better mileage in gear also. (tough to tell for real -- no computer display).

I just do it to save more gas money for my '03 SVT Cobra -- has a supercharged V8 that I've gotten down to 2mpg whilst "driving spiritedly". (it normally gets about 18-20mpg around town, though)


This is somewhat more of an instance than the rule, many transmissions dont freewheel while in gear and the slipping is taken up hydraulically etc.

We must remember, maximum combustion efficency and maximum fuel economy are two drastically different things. Max economy, most older cars you want to sit at ~55mph as that was where the epa mileage test spends most of its time and thereby you could wieght the epa rated mileage in your favor. The new test Im not so sure as I haven't run one of those in a while...

Max efficency, wide open throttle baby

[Da Klugs]

After the game last night coming home from Sams tried "the extreme". What could I get based upon getting up to the speed limit (eventually), cruising to stop on neutral, low rpm, force upshifts, etc.

Rolled almost to a dead stop in my driveway with 31.7 MPG showing on the display. Max speed 35 mph. Max RPM 1600 where it would upshift. Cruising rpm 1200. Idle RPM 800 when in neutral. About 2 miles. 2 stops that I rolled at about 3 mph, one left turn in neutral and the left into the driveway rolling to a stop with just a bit of brake.

Got me thinking that with all the electronic gizmos they put on cars today it would be pretty easy to add an "eco mode" that does all the things I am trying manually, automatically. They have performance switches on our cars changing the shift patterns, suspension settings etc, why not the other direction? Switch that moves the shift patterns to the minimum RPM, automatically "freewheels" the transmission and also changes the throttle to much less sensitivity (lots of pedal movement for a little increase in RPM). Seems like it would be much less expensive then "retooling". Would give each of us the option of having different types of MPG and performance vehicles with the flip of a switch. In my case, for city driving this might mean a doubling of mileage. Pretty interesting.

[borndead1]

Did you use cruise control too Dave?


I had a '03 Prius. It got about 48 MPG when the weather was warm, about 42 in the winter. NO BALLS whatsoever.

But on the highway with the cruise set at 75 it was reading over 55 MPG, and going through town with the cruise set at 35 it was reading 99.9 MPG (running on pure electricity).

Sounds great, right? I never realized how much I hated that car until I got my '09 Corolla. :D Smoother ride, better handling, way more power, and I'm getting over 30 MPG. Plus the car was built in America. Plus I won't have to shell out $4,000 to replace the hybrid system. ;)

Anyway, my point was that cruise control does make a noticeable difference in your mileage.

[Da Klugs]

Did you use cruise control too Dave?


I had a '03 Prius. It got about 48 MPG when the weather was warm, about 42 in the winter. NO BALLS whatsoever.

But on the highway with the cruise set at 75 it was reading over 55 MPG, and going through town with the cruise set at 35 it was reading 99.9 MPG (running on pure electricity).

Sounds great, right? I never realized how much I hated that car until I got my '09 Corolla. :D Smoother ride, better handling, way more power, and I'm getting over 30 MPG. Plus the car was built in America. Plus I won't have to shell out $4,000 to replace the hybrid system. ;)

Anyway, my point was that cruise control does make a noticeable difference in your mileage.

Sub 35 mph stop and go so cruise doesn't come into play. My point is that I got over 31 mpg in a 4400 lb 350 hp car city driving through extreme behavior modification. Normal driving = around 14 with no thought to it. My point in all of this is that some "automation" would yield results somewhere in between and not carry the same concerns or costs associated with hybrids etc. The aspect of choice, clicking the Eco button on a car who's normal performance is appealing to us, as an option that might almost double city fuel economy, just makes the concept very intriguing to me.

[Da Klugs]

Cable didn't have the game tonight.. no nfl network. Was late coming up to the office to watch and have a cigar.

Put it in "sport" seemed to shift at 6000 RPM + and held gears at anything less. Didn't make many friends on the way here.

Got... 10.8 MPG and it felt great. :D

[Da Klugs]

On the way home last night realized I had no baseline for "normal" so just drove. Did the same this morning. 14.8 each time so it puts the commute numbers into context.

Worst - 10.8
Normal - 14.8
Best - 27 (I think)

[Langod]

Have read the same things re neutral. Not the case on my Audi. Runs at 1100-1200 RPM while in gear and I think the AWD comes into play re the efficiency. In neutral, drops to 800 rpm. Huge difference in the Mpg and the "feel".

This is somewhat more of an instance than the rule, many transmissions dont freewheel while in gear and the slipping is taken up hydraulically etc.


From what I've read, the tranny doesn't freewheels (if I understand what you mean) -- The wife's subaru's RPM is still "normal" for the speed it's going in gear, but like I said it pegs the MPG readout. Moving to actual neutral does drop the RPM to 800 or so, but the MPG readout reads much less.
(According to this short article (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/gas_pains_mileage_myths_and_misconceptions_feature/when_coasting_to_a_stop_do_not_shift_into_neutral_ feature) your car actually uses no fuel whatsoever while coasting in gear.)
I don't know for sure, just reporting what I've read. I'm not a mechanic -- I can understand a manual tranny, but automatic transmissions might as well be magic to me.

And just for giggles, here's an article from Road & Track (http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=36&article_id=6905) regarding gas saving tips and myths.

[Langod]

Ever since I got a new set of tires, the mileage on the WRX took a nosedive. I used to get 26, now I get 21. I've tried "hyper mileing", but trying to accelerate with just the boxer-4 and not having the turbo kick in is painful, since it doesn't even start spooling until 2800.

Same thing happened a few years ago when I put new tires on my Olds Aurora. (And honestly, it happens to almost every car I've ever swapped tires on -- the Aurora just had the biggest drop in MPG.)

You probably do what I do -- you put on better, stickier tires, right? Maybe even wider ones?
You increased your rolling resistance. Amazing how such a little change adds up, eh?

[Da Klugs]

Stayed late last night. Roads were empty at 1 am so tried to stretch it a bit. Forgot I was in Neutral once though and rev'd it to 4500 RPM.. arrgh.

21.8 for the trip home. 40 MPH max speed. Max speed limit was 35. Rolled the 3 stops but got caught at the light for 20 seconds.

[mmblz]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/12/when-ford-and-h.html

[Ace$nyper]

Oddly enough, while at work I was goofing with my tune and sorted my launch control out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxwHLibjQp8&feature=related
Not my car but basiclly what it sounds like.
Taking odds I get pulled over on the way home...