50 mpg! (1990 Mazda Miata)

[AntiochOG]

Today was my first longish trip doing pulse and glide the whole way. I got 50 MPG for just over 60 miles in my Miata. I usually get about 44 on the same trip if stay around a steady 45 MPH. I was really surprised it made such a big difference. I had played around with it a little bit before, but never on a long trip like that.

[bikin' Ed]

That's really good. The best I've ever gotten in my miata is around 43mpg.

[beluga]

It really does make sense... if I'm bicycling and I'm tired, I might try pedaling hard for a while (standing up) and then coast for a while, a few times in a row. But generally i pedal most of the time at a similar speed.

I was accused of driving as if I am bicycling, a long time ago, and it's true now more than ever. That's a good thing Of course, best to walk or bike in the first place...

[California98Civic]

Nice!

Looking at your garage entry for the Miata, I think if you install a vacuum gauge you could learn how to judge the 75-80% engine load level quite precisely and do even better through P&G, I'd bet. And you'd be able to place all acceleration into the most efficient BSFC ranges. I bet your 90 day averages would increase signficantly and the gauge would pay for itself in a short while.

[UltArc]

Nice work

May I ask what speeds you went by for P&G?

[serialk11r]

Nice! I'll try to record my mpg doing P&G for the whole 35 mile run to Berkeley I usually do next time and see if it's better than the usual 39mpg I get at a steady 60ish cruise. Our little short geared 5 speeds aren't great for highway use.

[MetroMPG]

Congrats --- P&G can yield great results, for sure. We haven't seen too many "50 mpg Miata" threads.

Engine on or off in the glides?

[justme1969]

My sephia has the late 90s miata engine ive wondered what a decent geared transmission would do mine is fwd and geared to the point that it cant get better than the 40 mpg I bested at rolling 55 while P&G behind a Trucker.
I never got that again so I got a taste. but my avg is 35 - 36 rolling 68mph and thats good enough 4 me.

[AntiochOG]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Congrats --- P&G can yield great results, for sure. We haven't seen too many "50 mpg Miata" threads.

Engine on or off in the glides?

Engine off