Lets improve our MPGs

Jade Dragon · #1 06-22-2006, 12:45 AM

I know the issues of fuel efficency has come up lately. but one thing that is bugging me that even when i dont "drive it like i stole it" i still get sub 20. this las week i hit my best at 18.7mpg. I think it would be a good point for us to find ways to improve efficency. I love the feel of power, but until gas comes down a bit more, ill be fine with sipping my tank.

intelisevil · #2 06-22-2006, 01:56 AM

Sounds like you have a problem.

My '92 Ebony with binding issues (bad solenoid C or transfer clutches) is averaging a hair over 22 mpg in the 5,800 miles since I got it on Dec. 1st. That's on Winter gas, having fun in the mountains and daily driving about 50/50 hiway/in-town.

100% 'Premium' 91 octane. Cruise control whenever possible. No, I don't always agree with the posted speeds . . .

I need to punch the numbers for the wife's '92 Teal and see how she's doing. It has been driven closer to 15,000 miles since mid August.

Dan

dcarrb · #3 06-22-2006, 06:25 AM

Depends upon what sort of driving you do. I get <20 MPG in routine daily driving over hilly terrain and figure the low number is due to the fact that my torque converter doesn't hook-up for about 10 miles and by that time, I'm there. On the other hand, I've driven to and from Atlanta twice in recent days (over 600 miles) and averaged better than 27 MPG, and that's at comfortable (for the SVX) freeway speeds with some red-light boulevard cruising and a couple of stop-and-go traffic jams thrown-in, at 90+ degrees, with the A/C blasting. I once got a tick over 30 MPG on a pure Interstate run. Since I started charting my car's consumption last September, my overall average fuel economy is close to 22 MPG.

If you don't do much open-road driving, "sub 20" is probably about the best you're gonna do.

dcb

Earthworm · #4 06-22-2006, 11:26 AM

I filled up this morning and recorded 28 MP(IMP)G+. This is without the "pill".

400 miles on this tank.

shelfy · #5 06-22-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

I filled up this morning and recorded 28 MP(IMP)G+.

how many mp(us)g is this?

Earthworm · #6 06-22-2006, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelfy

how many mp(us)g is this?

28 MP(IMP)G = 23.3 MS(US)G

This was 50/50 city/highway.

#7 06-23-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelisevil

Sounds like you have a problem.

He lives in CO. That means he's probably going up and down a lot more than you. I'm guessing that's the reason. As for improving your mpg...

1. Overinflate your tires on long trips.
2. Put synthetic in your front and rear diffs.
3. Clean air filter.
4. Run some xylol or toulene through your tank sometime to clean out the gunk.
5. Draft SUVs. heh.
6. Keep your windows up and sunroof closed.
7. Install a home depot 'chin spoiler' lip thing from landscaping edging. Should help a tiny bit.
8. Get to know your transmission, and use as little gas as possible when maintaining speed, and sort of vary your foot when accelerating to help keep hte engine from bogging or over revving.

Beav · #8 06-23-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSTig

He lives in CO. That means he's probably going up and down a lot more than you.

Ft. Collins is flat, like Kansas. When I lived in CO mountains my '92 got 31mpg hwy, 30 with the bra on and 16-23 in town. Not much difference at lower altitude, read on:

Thin air = more mpg, no doubt about it. Up and down doesn't make any difference - $$ up, no $$ going down.
My motorhome in the mountains would get 15mpg. In Missouri it dropped to 9mpg. Air drag is a huge factor. SVX has low drag so it isn't an issue.