I just hit 5,000 miles tonight, and I've been averaging around 22.5 to 23 MPG....which was making me nuts. I was embarrassed to tell people when they asked about my mileage. So I took the suggestion to try running with the A/C off, and just roll down the windows. Filled up the tank, reset the trip computer, took off on a 30 mile highway trip, set the cruise at 62, and when I arrived, the trip computer said 35.1 MPG average! I knew keeping the interior like a fridge was probably hurting the mileage some, but I had no idea it would be 12 MPG difference. My windows are gonna be down a lot more often now.

 

I'm still only doing 25 average, and I never use the AC...
I guess I'll try the cruise control on my next highway trip to see if it makes any difference...

 

The computer that determines MPG is over optimistic..at least in our car. I would say 10-15%.

 

same here.. consistent 25. I only use the AC when there are elders in the car or when I feel the need to keep the AC in check.

 

Try the same trip at the same speed with the windows up and the AC keeping you nice and cool. No way there is going to be a 12 MPG difference. My guess is 1 to 2 at the absolute top. The difference you stated is between average mpg and a 30 mile steady speed road trip....which is why there is a big difference.

Cruise control helps a lot because without it most people are constantly changing speed, at least a little, sometimes without really noticing what they're doing.

 

did you know that leaving your windows down at high speed (60mph+ is high speed.) will drain more energy than leaving A/C on at low speed?

 

Your gains are a result of:

1) Cruise control
2) Cruising at 62mph
3) Holding it in the highest gear

The 1974 55mph "federal" spped limit was a result of fuel economy analysis (also coupled with average driver skills/car performance evaluation (reaction time, etc.), but it was largely for fuel economy) at the time it was set. Cars have become much more intelligent since then - now some can shut off engine cylinders at cruising speed, etc. There is still a steep drop off in efficiency at higher speeds though... between 55 and 65 you will see the best performance for most cars, as they are now programmed and geared with this range in mind.

AC, as mentioned, won't "cost" more than 1 or 2 mpg... speed and revs will "cost" much more fuel efficiency than the AC will.

Now that the fall is right around the corner we can start to see days when we can comfortably drive with just the vents open

 

I have not found that to be the case. I know that with many cars with larger engines on which the A/C is not such a large draw of power, having the windows down is worse than having the A/C on. But I have found that I can get 3-4 mpg better having the driver's side window down with the A/C off. I really think that it depends on how much strain an A/C system puts on the engine, and with an engine as small as ours, A/C is a pretty big strain.

Between driving with my window down, keeping it under 70mph on the interstate, and shifting at ~3k RPM, and not burying the go pedal to get to 3k RPM, I am averaging 33mpg in my JCW MCS. It's not a whole lot of fun, but I am making my self be conservative with it so if I want to do an autox or something I won't feel so bad/guilty

 

Your gas mileage should get a little better as the engine gets broken in. I average 28 MPG combined city and traffic highway.

 

ive noticed that leaving my windows down at high speeds messes up my hair completely...

not that i really care.

 

I rarely use the a/c on the highway, and yes it does get hot up here, I motor with the drivers window 1/2 way down, Passenger side cracked an inch or 2, vents pointed at me.

I travel at 65mph, no cruise, and I get between 37-39 mpg. Now 95% of my driving is on the highway.

In the winter when conditions dictate going 50-55mph, my mpg goes over 40.

Yes I converted litres to US gallons

Playing on the gravel back roads, nowhere near that

 

Cruise control isn't my magic ticket, I was using cruise all the time on the highway and averaging 23 MPG. That's why I was shocked at the difference, the only difference between my 23MPG driving and the 30MPG driving was the A/C and about 8 to 10 degrees cooler outside, which makes me happy to see fall coming. I thought 12 MPG increase was crazy too, but the only difference seems to be the A/C and the outside temp.

 

Been running on the same tank since last tuesday, i was hoping to get
about 400 to 415 before fillup. my mode of milking this good
mileage out of my Mcs is get on the freeway put the cruise control on
between 65 and 70 mpg stay in my lane and not care that Suv's and
people who don't have a clue :impatient are just burning fuel at a greater rate blowing by me doing 80 and 90.I guess these people have deep pockets.

 

I wonder if another contribution to your improved MPG is attaining 5000 miles. Others on NAM have posted performance gains well after break-in. My MCSa has around 1400 miles now and I am hoping for improved MPG after 5000 although that might not happen until early 2006. To date it has been averaging 23 MPG for combined city and highway (I have used the AC once for about 6 miles).

Last week the passenger in a white contractor's truck (full size with a backseat) very politely asked me the MPG of my car. I told him 23 MPG. From his blank expression I could tell he was expecting much higher. I said, "Not so good, huh?"

He responded, "Well, that's a lot better than my car and yours looks like a lot of fun." I felt like confirming his good impression, but modesty (and rush hour traffic) prevailed.

 

Thats an old myth that is not a set rule car to car. I see an increase rolling the windows down even at 80.

 

Question, are you verifying your mileage at the gas pump or just relying on your obc to determine it?

 

OK - sounds like a challenge... in this time of high fuel prices, maybe we need to start a little gentleman's (not gender specific) competition.

4 categories:

1) MC City
2) MC Highway
3) MCS City
4) MCS HIghway

To be clear, "city" is MOSTLY city driving (stop and go), 55mph or less; "highway" is mostly highway driving (open thoroughfare) 55mph or more [driving 55mph+ through town doesn't count!]

It's entirely on the honor system. Let's start Tuesday morning, everyone reset their trip computers, or start fresh on their log book. Keep track for the rest of the week. Next weekend, post your average fuel economy with miles travelled along with any tricks/tips used to achieve your results.

Sound fun?

 

Due to the horrific heat/humidity, driving in Miami with the windows down and no A/C is not really a safe/comfortable/hygienic option during the summer months, unless, your goal is to lose water and body fat faster than a sauna

I have found that easing on the throttle, shifting below 3K and running most of the time on the highest gears have helped me achieve MPG in the 25-26 range.

At night, if the hunidity goes down a bit, then I turn off the A/C, but unfortunately, not until December or January we will not get a break from the blistering 95F+ warm weather.

 

I already started this week. :smile: I am shifting from 1-3 or 2-4 in certain situations. It's a little tough in S.F. with all of the hills and stop signs but downhill or flat terrain it works great.

 

I drive it like I stole it... so my gas milage is 20ish but at the end of september I am motoring on a 2000mile roundtrip so I am guessing I should get some MUCH better gas mileage...

-Josh

 

When getting up to speed on the highway I always go from 3-5, seeing as I'm at or a little over the limit anyway in third.

4th will never wear out in my MC

 

I am short shifting when I get up to speed on the highway. There's an offramp right where I have to get on so sometimes, I need to keep it in a lower gear..so I still have to use 4th.

 

I moved our little contest to a new thread, so it doesn't totally hijack this one.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...539#post637539

 

virtually 100% of my driving is stop & go city driving in heavy traffic. Several of the 20+ stoplights between home and work are multiple cycle, meaning 2-3-4-5 cycles to get thru. (I really hate it ) not much I can do about it though.

Anyway, you winers! I'm getting like 14 mpg I got about 34-36 on the trip to the Dragon though..

 

hahaha,

I think I get about 20 mpg in the city and that's like driving like a grandpa. I have to stop every two or three blocks and go up hills. Sucks ****! At least it's 5 mpg better than our other car.