I see this section of the forum is almost dead, but reading about what members get for mileage on the newer cars, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss the strategy of driving for great mileage.
You don't have to ride down the road with your engine shut off to get very good fuel mileage although I do. Basic techniques can provide a very nice reward and if you get into it the strategies are safer, easier on brakes and tires and generally keep you car in better shape for longer.
I went to the drive in at Wendy's today with my 94 year old mother, who needed a break from Pop, her husband of 73 years. She asked me when was the last time I went to the drive in window. "At least 20 years if I was driving". Park walk in and eat, then leave , no idling. We did not do that today, but I stopped and restarted the engine and did not idle.
Avoid idling your engine. I told my neighbor. I can drive at 40 MPH and get 80 MPG on the gas you use sitting there idling your V8 pickup (.5 gal per hour), which is true. I average 40 MPH at 80 MPG in two different cars. Even better without having to deal with traffic.
Red lights, slow down, unless you can go through the light without slowing down after it turns green. Try timing lights if you commute, this MEANS you reach the light when the traffic is now moving without getting nailed by a stale green light if you approach to slow. Your objective is to go through the light at the highest speed possible safely.
Never waste your momentum, get going with the normal flow of traffic, but always try to avoid throwing your momentum away. It calls for real situational awareness. Be a smooth operator without sudden acceleration or deceleration. I slow down so gradually when the light is red that people fly around me and race to the red light, with traffic already there. STUPID, was energy speeding to the light then destroy your brakes throwing away that energy, as well as sometimes blocking me from going through the green light a few seconds later. THANKS DUMBASS. I once passed the same car 5 times in 5 miles, they raced off the light after I COASTED PAST THEM WITH MY ENGINE OFF, only to slam on the brakes again, rinse and repeat ad stupidium. I once drove through 62 traffic lights in 45 miles and never completely stopped for a single one!!!!!!!!!! You had to average 2 mph OVER the speed limit to do that, not slow at all, and no one got there faster. They just got themselves jammed up at the next red light, while I never missed the greens.
Take advantage of hills. Driving through the college town of Williamsburg yesterday, I was coasting almost 75% of the time. I can do that with my engine off because my car drives fine without power steering or brakes, but you can do almost as good by just letting off the gas. Here is why:
When you car is coasting, above idle speed, the fuel injectors are shut off and no fuel is delivered, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, YOU USE NO FUEL WHEN YOU ARE MOVING.
If you drive in heavy traffic, then find a drafting partner. At 70 MPH simple sitting behind a larger vehicle with a t least 3 stripes separation (130 feet and safe) you will get 5-10 more MPG than alone pushing your way through the wind. It's called the corridor effect, when average separation gets down to 3 stripes or less and you have no choice but driving that route, take advantage of the corridor effect. For me it's good for 10 MPG.
Always try to NOT create issues for other drivers near you. The worst possible scenario is a group of idiots following too close to each other and hitting the brakes every time someone changes lane (on interstates and other major highways). Back off a little and find the true AVERAGE speed of the traffic and let the morons get in front of you where you can keep an eye on them but at a decent distance.
I'll post more if I can remember all that crap.
Basically ANITCIPATE traffic issues, maintain your momentum SAFELY and let the idiots get in front, just pass them when they crash and go about your business.
You don't have to ride down the road with your engine shut off to get very good fuel mileage although I do. Basic techniques can provide a very nice reward and if you get into it the strategies are safer, easier on brakes and tires and generally keep you car in better shape for longer.
I went to the drive in at Wendy's today with my 94 year old mother, who needed a break from Pop, her husband of 73 years. She asked me when was the last time I went to the drive in window. "At least 20 years if I was driving". Park walk in and eat, then leave , no idling. We did not do that today, but I stopped and restarted the engine and did not idle.
Avoid idling your engine. I told my neighbor. I can drive at 40 MPH and get 80 MPG on the gas you use sitting there idling your V8 pickup (.5 gal per hour), which is true. I average 40 MPH at 80 MPG in two different cars. Even better without having to deal with traffic.
Red lights, slow down, unless you can go through the light without slowing down after it turns green. Try timing lights if you commute, this MEANS you reach the light when the traffic is now moving without getting nailed by a stale green light if you approach to slow. Your objective is to go through the light at the highest speed possible safely.
Never waste your momentum, get going with the normal flow of traffic, but always try to avoid throwing your momentum away. It calls for real situational awareness. Be a smooth operator without sudden acceleration or deceleration. I slow down so gradually when the light is red that people fly around me and race to the red light, with traffic already there. STUPID, was energy speeding to the light then destroy your brakes throwing away that energy, as well as sometimes blocking me from going through the green light a few seconds later. THANKS DUMBASS. I once passed the same car 5 times in 5 miles, they raced off the light after I COASTED PAST THEM WITH MY ENGINE OFF, only to slam on the brakes again, rinse and repeat ad stupidium. I once drove through 62 traffic lights in 45 miles and never completely stopped for a single one!!!!!!!!!! You had to average 2 mph OVER the speed limit to do that, not slow at all, and no one got there faster. They just got themselves jammed up at the next red light, while I never missed the greens.
Take advantage of hills. Driving through the college town of Williamsburg yesterday, I was coasting almost 75% of the time. I can do that with my engine off because my car drives fine without power steering or brakes, but you can do almost as good by just letting off the gas. Here is why:
When you car is coasting, above idle speed, the fuel injectors are shut off and no fuel is delivered, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, YOU USE NO FUEL WHEN YOU ARE MOVING.
If you drive in heavy traffic, then find a drafting partner. At 70 MPH simple sitting behind a larger vehicle with a t least 3 stripes separation (130 feet and safe) you will get 5-10 more MPG than alone pushing your way through the wind. It's called the corridor effect, when average separation gets down to 3 stripes or less and you have no choice but driving that route, take advantage of the corridor effect. For me it's good for 10 MPG.
Always try to NOT create issues for other drivers near you. The worst possible scenario is a group of idiots following too close to each other and hitting the brakes every time someone changes lane (on interstates and other major highways). Back off a little and find the true AVERAGE speed of the traffic and let the morons get in front of you where you can keep an eye on them but at a decent distance.
I'll post more if I can remember all that crap.
Basically ANITCIPATE traffic issues, maintain your momentum SAFELY and let the idiots get in front, just pass them when they crash and go about your business.