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Old 11-21-2012, 03:32 PM   #9 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 60.16 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darcane View Post
and then it was eliminated for emissions (?) reasons.
That's a good question, about why they don't offer lean burn anymore.

The 5-speed Insight had an ULEV rating, even with lean burn: ULEV = "emits 50% less polluting emissions than the average for new cars released in that model year."

So I have to wonder if it was eliminated more for driveability/consumer acceptance reasons.

Quote:
Originally Posted by darcane View Post
Next step: remove that spoiler. I have no conclusive proof that it helps or hurts
I think you made the right decision - that style is more likely to hurt MPG.

For comparison, Honda did put this drag-reducing spoiler on its 2001 Civic sedan. Most OEM drag-reducing spoilers on high-MPG cars are flush mounted, and fairly subtle, like this one is:

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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to MetroMPG For This Useful Post:
aerohead (11-21-2012), darcane (11-21-2012), Mira (06-21-2013), slowmover (12-12-2012)