I drive a 1999 automatic, averaging 30mpg city and highway. Keep in mind this is in Los Angeles traffic, which has me idling for 30 minutes each way. How do I improve my mpg?
I've done all the basics, removed weight, keep tire pressure correct, not running a/c, new spark plugs and wires, but I'm looking to go hardcore.
Any ECU remaps, differential swaps (that are easy) or things of that nature? Anyone?!
Turn the engine off when you dont need power and coast =P
Ive done it in my '90 Corolla just for the hell of it.
But... yeah I dont know if that would work on a regular basis
You could pop the shifter into neutral when you dont need power though.
I do it all the time on my Corolla. But thats not for mileage, thats because I like to pretend like I have a real gearbox =P
I suppose you could remap the ECU with some smaller injectors, but thats getting a little crazy IMHO for one extra mpg...
fool.. it takes more fuel to start the car again than it takes just to keep it running at idle.
How about leaving a few minutes early to avoid the traffic.. used to work for me, I would leave at 5:45am instead of 6:00am and I would miss a nice chunk of it. if you leave when everyone else does then hey, don't complain about it.
I wouldn't recommend doing that, especially since 1) it isn't safe, and 2) it only works at high speeds. I'd rather use the four second rule behind someone else than get hurt for doing something unnecessary.
Ways to save gas:
A/C off, windows down in the city at low speeds. A/C on and windows up at highway speed.
Keep RPMs low. My Camry basically idles at speeds below 35 miles per hour, so I try to coast a lot and I still get about 25 MPG in the city. I also try to not get RPMs anywhere over 2000 RPM during acceleration (I do it often; it's possible)
Plus other basic knowledge like anticipating stoplights, keep a light foot etc.
I'm still figuring out how they got the 2005 Corollas to get 41 MPG on the highway (according to the commercials). That just can't be possible with a gasoline-only-powered vehicle in the real world.
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1999 Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder
Last edited by epinionator89; 08-20-2005 at 11:10 PM.
I'm still figuring out how they got the 2005 Corollas to get 41 MPG on the highway (according to the commercials). That just can't be possible with a gasoline-only-powered vehicle in the real world.
Yeah that's tough, my father-in-law who is a fuel efficiency maniac always gets 40 mpg plus on his 1.8 Mitsu Mirage, it's a matter of keeping a VERY light foot and that kind of thing.
I'm still figuring out how they got the 2005 Corollas to get 41 MPG on the highway (according to the commercials). That just can't be possible with a gasoline-only-powered vehicle in the real world.
Not only is it entirely possible, Honda accomplished it 15 years ago with the CRX HF. Come to think of it, I believe the number was closer to 50 mpg.
In any event, some good suggestions, I'm going to remove the back seat and see how much it weighs...heck, I might even remove the passenger seat.
Another thought I had was loosening the throttle cable to force me to keep the RPMs low. Any other ideas are appreciated!
Well since you're using the a/c on the highway I can see why you don't understand. It's a proven fact that the a/c puts more load on the engine than the windows being down. Without following other cars with no a/c I get around 38mpg, folloowing others I get 41mpg. With the a/c on I get 36 following or 33 not. 93 Tercel, stock engine with 5speed.
Well since you're using the a/c on the highway I can see why you don't understand. It's a proven fact that the a/c puts more load on the engine than the windows being down. Without following other cars with no a/c I get around 38mpg, folloowing others I get 41mpg. With the a/c on I get 36 following or 33 not. 93 Tercel, stock engine with 5speed.
Well since you're using the a/c on the highway I can see why you don't understand. It's a proven fact that the a/c puts more load on the engine than the windows being down. Without following other cars with no a/c I get around 38mpg, folloowing others I get 41mpg. With the a/c on I get 36 following or 33 not. 93 Tercel, stock engine with 5speed.
From what I've heard, w/ AC on and windows up at highway speed, even though you get the increased drag on the engine, the mileage is just about equal with the increased wind drag on the car with the windows down at highway speed.
But I'm just telling you what I heard
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1990 Corolla SR5 (Mine)
2003 Corolla CE (Wife's)
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