47.2 MPG, check out my progress!

[jbliss10]

My fuel log is looking good. Thanks a ton to all the tips and ideas here on ecomodder, it really works!

Here are the things I did that I think made the most improvements to my mileage -

Coasted in neutral whenever possible
Inflated tires to max pressure (35 psi on my 12's) (previous tank was at 27 psi most of the time)
Rarely drove over 60, never over 65
Turned engine off at red lights and EOC in my neighborhood only, about 0.2 miles per day.
Shift to higher gears as soon as possible, kept RPMs low.
Used an iPhone app called GoDriveGreen to tell me how my MPG and "green score" is on each commute. haven't installed the MPGuino yet.
No mods to my car yet.

I really want to hit the 50 mark next - what should I do?

[piers.singer]

Well done on your progress, your numbers are looking good. If you feel confident then you should expand upon your use of EOC, the benefits add up very quickly. You might also like to consider some aero-mods, a grille block might be a good place to start as well as making sure that the front end is smooth, with no depressions sucking in air.

[jbliss10]

Perhaps, I'm a bit scared of EOC. My front end isn't that smooth - the bucket headlights could use covering for example. I was thinking of adding a lawn edging strip to the bottom of the bumper to extend it lower. I could use some to block a bit of the grill too. I have un-covered wheels (exposed lugs etc) so getting wheel covers would be a good idea too. It's pretty much a stock Metro.

[piers.singer]

I hear you, I'm still in the EOC-is-a-bit-scary phase. Covering the headlights with a bit of perspex is a good start, you can also make some wheel covers out of coroplast or pizza pans, be inventive! The lawn edging trick is pretty popular right now so give it a go and let us know how you get on.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by jbliss10

Perhaps, I'm a bit scared of EOC.

I'm not going there. Tried it, but probably won't do it.
Check out how often you can apply the brakes before the boost is gone.
(If a Metro has a boosted brake system at all.)

My front end isn't that smooth - the bucket headlights could use covering for example.

Have a go at the search function, it's been done before by one of the members.

Is this your first stick-shift car ?

BTW - Are you going to name all your tanks ?
Nice improvement though

[jbliss10]

Originally Posted by euromodder

BTW - Are you going to name all your tanks ?
Nice improvement though

Nah, but I'm in competition with my carpool buddy, so he drove one tank and I drove the next to see who gets the best mileage. So it's for posterity.

[jbliss10]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Is this your first stick-shift car ?
:

Yes it's my first stick-shift car. Hence my first tank going so poorly. I've got it down now

[SentraSE-R]

Make 55 mph your absolute top speed. That's probably good for 3-5 mpg right there. You get no bragging rights driving a Metro until you can regularly soundly whip a guy driving a boxy Scion xB .