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Old 04-26-2010, 11:59 AM   #1 (permalink)
Basjoos Wannabe
 
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The Van - '97 Mercury Villager gs
90 day: 19.8 mpg (US)

Lyle the Kindly Viking - '99 Volvo V70
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28 MPG??!???!? You've got to be KIDDING me!!!

I recently embarked on a 300 mile trip in the Maxima. I generally have to fight road rage and so hypermiling comes hard for me when my pride is wounded. That and the acceleration of the Maxima is amazing compared to my minvan.

However, I managed to go all the way to Little Rock without speeding much. (you have to remember, going 10 over is an Arkansas tradition. I pass police going 10 over constantly) I also used a modified P&G when I could; ie, I left the engine running, but when I could mantain speed going down slight hills while in neutral, i took advantage of it. I also did a touch of it when I could on the interstate.

Sadly I mashed the go pedal a bit more on the trip back than I should have, but still managed a solid 28 mpg. This may not seem much, but i have a goal of breaching 30 mpg, and I haven't even done anything to reduce drag on this beast. All I've done is put 50 psi in the tires.

I do desperatly want a fuel injector cut off switch for EOC (engine off coasting?) and while I know I can keep the engine rolling while in drive (I have an automatic) I'm not versed enough in the rules of auto trannys, so I fear damaging the thing. I think keeping it in drive at speed and cutting off the fuel shouldn't pose any problems, especially if my TC stays locked in . But if the engine stops spinning while in gear, what then? I could put it in neutral and kill the engine, but then that'll stress the aging starter.

Either way, getting that figure got me going. It's proven to me it can be done, and that getting a SGII might actually be worth it!

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RIP Maxima 1997-2012


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Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I think you missed the point I was trying to make, which is that it's not rational to do either speed or fuel economy mods for economic reasons. You do it as a form of recreation, for the fun and for the challenge.
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Old 04-26-2010, 12:57 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Cobalt XFE - '08 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE
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90 day: 41.1 mpg (US)

'05 Malibu V6 Tow Vehicle/Track Car - '05 Chevrolet Malibu LS V6
90 day: 23.12 mpg (US)

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Was the car heavily loaded for your trip?

You will be getting 30+ mpg soon enough.
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Old 04-26-2010, 01:14 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Formula - '96 Firebird Formula/Trans-Am
90 day: 19.31 mpg (US)
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Your engine powers the hydrolic pump that keeps your trans working and lubricated. Good chance of burning it up if you EOC at freeway speeds.
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Lets see how far it can go

"All I know about music is that not many people ever really hear it. [...] But the man who creates the music is hearing something else, is dealing with the roar rising from the void and imposing order on it as it hits the air. What is evoked in him, then, is of another order, more terrible because it has no words, and triumphant, too, for the same reason. And his triumph, when he triumphs, is ours." -Sonny's Blues
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Old 04-26-2010, 02:45 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
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90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

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Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

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There's a whole mentality with speeding and aggressive driving that I think results in sub-conscious gas pedal mashing. What I'm trying to say is when you lose that you will make the gains you seek.
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Old 04-26-2010, 03:09 PM   #5 (permalink)
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oldscoob - '87 subaru wagon gl/dr
90 day: 47.06 mpg (US)
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28 and good acceleration. Somebody did something right...

the maxima is the sideways v6?
Uncommon car this way...along with 99% of ecomod proven hypermilers.
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Old 04-26-2010, 04:29 PM   #6 (permalink)
Basjoos Wannabe
 
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Join Date: Apr 2009
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The Van - '97 Mercury Villager gs
90 day: 19.8 mpg (US)

Lyle the Kindly Viking - '99 Volvo V70
90 day: 25.82 mpg (US)
Thanks: 174
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yeah, the Maxima has a 190 hp V-6 and front wheel drive. It's supposed to do the 1/4 in 13ish secs in stock form with 0-60 in about 7 secs. Not blazing fast, but a bit better than your average beater.

I've heard of someone being able to get 30 out of the thing, so it just might be possible.

I know the pump keeps things lubricated, but if the engine is off while still in gear, an AT will keep the engine turning, assuming the RPMs don't go too low. So everything is still working, I'm just not sure about all the details.

And no, it wasn't especially heavily loaded, I suspect less than 300lbs including people and luggage. But I did leave with a full tank, so there was that weight. But I always consider a full tank as a happy tank and try to keep it full.

Right now I'm trying to figure out an idling problem it's having. Coupled with the starter starting to go out it's the cause of a bit of stress.
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RIP Maxima 1997-2012


Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I think you missed the point I was trying to make, which is that it's not rational to do either speed or fuel economy mods for economic reasons. You do it as a form of recreation, for the fun and for the challenge.
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Old 04-26-2010, 06:02 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Had a 99. last year of that version Maxima. All aluminum V6, with a curb weight that is fairly low at something like 2800 pounds, with about 200 HP. Best car we ever owned and a dream on the Interstate at 80 MPH.

regards
Mech
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Old 04-26-2010, 07:35 PM   #8 (permalink)
Basjoos Wannabe
 
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Join Date: Apr 2009
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Posts: 870

The Van - '97 Mercury Villager gs
90 day: 19.8 mpg (US)

Lyle the Kindly Viking - '99 Volvo V70
90 day: 25.82 mpg (US)
Thanks: 174
Thanked 49 Times in 32 Posts
Yeah we like it quite a bit. She had nearly 200k on her when we bought her now she's over that. And yeah, the curb weight is suprisingly low for something of that size.

that aluminum block is a thing of beauty. Would love to make a roadster with it sticking out in the open for all to see.
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RIP Maxima 1997-2012


Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I think you missed the point I was trying to make, which is that it's not rational to do either speed or fuel economy mods for economic reasons. You do it as a form of recreation, for the fun and for the challenge.
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Old 04-26-2010, 09:15 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Mean Green Toaster Machine - '06 Scion xB
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90 day: 48.92 mpg (US)
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What Frank said. Until you leave the rat race, it will rule your mpg adversely. When you learn to drive 5-10 mph under the speed limit, you will reach new mpg heights.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin
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49.5 mpg avg over 53,000 miles. 176% of '08 EPA
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Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg
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Old 04-27-2010, 05:16 PM   #10 (permalink)
Basjoos Wannabe
 
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 870

The Van - '97 Mercury Villager gs
90 day: 19.8 mpg (US)

Lyle the Kindly Viking - '99 Volvo V70
90 day: 25.82 mpg (US)
Thanks: 174
Thanked 49 Times in 32 Posts
But...But....but it so HARD to not go with the flow of traffic!!! And i like going fast.......but I don't like paying for it at the pump. And my car feels so stable at high speed, like it just wants to go faster and is egging me on.....

This is a picture of my inner conflict. Wish i could afford to change out the final drive for better highway gears.

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RIP Maxima 1997-2012


Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
I think you missed the point I was trying to make, which is that it's not rational to do either speed or fuel economy mods for economic reasons. You do it as a form of recreation, for the fun and for the challenge.
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