Best Mpgs? How?

[Al's Red Wagon]

Just curious...

What are the changes you can make (or have made) to really boost your MPG?

Any DIY Mods that aren't off the wall?

[stuey]

Read the Manual, It gives the most efficient driving ranges.
Read books like Road craft.

observe the speed limits.

I did an experiment ( not very scientific) a while back in my 900 Turbo

5 Days observing the speed limit
5 Days observing the speed limit using the cruise control
5 Days drove according to other traffic 35 in 30, 40-50 in a 40 and so on

option 1 did the best MPG clearly.

Stuart

[DriverEd]

Check your fuel filter. I had mine replaced (simple DIY) and noticed a dramatic improvement in efficiency. Also, I like to keep my tires inflated a little higher than usual (34psi).

[Chris 9-5]

Number 1 - drive a manual car

[MacNoob]

No ethanol in your gas!
Tires inflated to the high end of the allowable pressure range per door sticker
Well tuned with clean air filter, new spark plugs, etc.
Unload unnecessary crap from the car.
Drive carefully.

[handsomejackuk]

tyre pressures 43psi or pour concrete into tyres fold in door mirrors or take off to improve aerodynamics. close windows when driving improves aerodynamics. travel real close to car in front so you are in their wind. (not recommended) Plan ahead in traffic do not use excessive brakes and acceleration. sounds boring but i recently travelled 200 miles probably 100 miles of motorway dual carriageway and hardly touched the brakes just used cruise control to brake and accelerate. when descending long hills obtain max velocity then when hill levels off stick cruise on. not sure whether that works but i did have a go a couple of times on my way home from cornwall. Observe petrol prices. Personally i never fill my tank right up to the top as i think of the weight that you are carrying around. 42 mpg motorway at 65 -70 mph

Al

[Al's Red Wagon]

Where do you find Gasonline with no Ethanol added in the US? I thought everything (in the US at least) was E10.

Also... fold the mirors back? I would think that the knoby bits that would show after folding the mirror back would have more drag than the actual mirror being out. My guess would be that the engineers compensated for air flow around the mirrors in the design stages of the car.

As far as aerodynamics goes... I have heard that at mid to high speeds it is more efficient to have the air conditioner on rather than have the windows open.

[buret]

I drive 100 miles a day with about 10% of the total in stop and go (rest=highway @70+mph) and average just over 30mpg. Tires are 34psi or so.

I use the cruise control almost full time, it makes a world of difference. "City only" driving returns less than 20mpg. For info, the car has 73,000 miles.

[dudethatsnowboards]

I "just drive" maby roll through some stop signs and try to keep rolling at red lights- it's easier to go from 5-35 then 0-35, but my driving is almost all city- average speed is 23 mph and i get 21.7 mpg (according to the computer)

[MacNoob]

Originally Posted by Al's Red Wagon

Where do you find Gasonline with no Ethanol added in the US? I thought everything (in the US at least) was E10.

Dunno, I don't live in the US! If you're close to Canada you can cross the border and buy 'real gas' here! But the cost is enough higher that it wouldn't be worth your while....

[02BrnfrmjtsAero]

I drive my aero like it's meant to be driven...drive fast and take a lot of chances....check the mileage later!!!

that is partially true. But what I have found is to keep off the turbo as much as possible, meaning just let it touch the orange if you can, feather the gas peddle and like I read previously keep the windows shut on higher speed trips to keep the aerodynamics of the car.

[Saab D aka Volvo D]

Don't forget to use the fuel that is INTENDED for your vehicle. I wouldn't dream of using anything less than 93 octance for my Aero.


And I am averaging 23 mpg...not too shabby for a big 230 horsepower sedan methinks. Or am i on the low side?

[Raven18940]

Originally Posted by Saab D aka Volvo D

And I am averaging 23 mpg...not too shabby for a big 230 horsepower sedan methinks. Or am i on the low side?

Depends on where and how you drive. I get 20, but I get in the gas often (it's too much fun, screw the environment ) and I'm almost never on the highway. If you're doing 25% highway, you're not doing too bad.

[blinktude]

ive only used octane 87 so I wouldn't know how many mpg i would get for one with better octane.
today in the morning I cleared the mpg on SID and drove to work.
SID told me I was getting 9.8 mpg.
As for my high driving to ny, I get around 24mpg.

so much for a 4 cylinder engine

[stipud]

Originally Posted by blinktude

ive only used octane 87 so I wouldn't know how many mpg i would get for one with better octane.
today in the morning I cleared the mpg on SID and drove to work.
SID told me I was getting 9.8 mpg.
As for my high driving to ny, I get around 24mpg.

so much for a 4 cylinder engine

You drive an Aero on 87 octane? That's not the best idea. The car is tuned for 91+, so if you run 87 octane it will actually detune itself, and you will end up getting worse gas mileage and less horsepower. This in turn ends up costing you more to have less performance than if you were to tank up with premium in the first place.

87 octane should be fine on the highway, but for city or performance driving you really need to run premium in the Aeros.

[Saab D aka Volvo D]

Originally Posted by stipud

You drive an Aero on 87 octane? That's not the best idea. The car is tuned for 91+, so if you run 87 octane it will actually detune itself, and you will end up getting worse gas mileage and less horsepower. This in turn ends up costing you more to have less performance than if you were to tank up with premium in the first place.

87 octane should be fine on the highway, but for city or performance driving you really need to run premium in the Aeros.

This is true. If you wonder why your Aero is getting crappy milage on 87 octane, perhaps its time to move on to a different car...or at least break out the extra cash to give the car the right fuel.

You have to pay to play.

[blinktude]

Originally Posted by Saab D aka Volvo D

This is true. If you wonder why your Aero is getting crappy milage on 87 octane, perhaps its time to move on to a different car...or at least break out the extra cash to give the car the right fuel.

You have to pay to play.

gasp!! dont say i need to move on to a different car
I just dont have money burning holes in my pocket

[stipud]

Originally Posted by blinktude

I just dont have money burning holes in my pocket

All the more reason to tank up on premium. It's more expensive at the pump, but it's cheaper in the long run due to the improved gas mileage.

[TROLLhattenschatten]

I'm supprised nobody suggested replacing the vaccume (spelling?) lines

[Kermit]

Why would replacing the vacuum lines increase gas mileage?

Accelerate gently.
Read the road ahead so you can slow down but not stop.
Turn the ACC off.
Don't use cruise control, it accelerates harder to regain speed then the right foot.
A DI on its way out WILL affect mpg.
Don't buy a bloody auto gearbox.