A Nice Stretch

[Ladogaboy]

So, I found a nice stretch of road on my commute home (15 miles of mostly city driving total), where I can coast for almost 2 miles without touching the gas at all. Even with post-work, stop-and-go traffic, I was able to average ~ 27 mpg.

Any good stretches you've found?

[Sven7]

There are some nice hills up by Auburn Hills on I75 and also the bridge over the River Rouge where I can coast for nearly a mile. Haven't found a 2 miler yet.

[Ladogaboy]

Yeah, this stretch is pretty good because few people drive it. I need to be cognizant of bicyclists and joggers, but otherwise, the road is pretty clear. If I'm being followed by someone who looks like they want to play Gran Turismo, I just wave them by. Otherwise, once I start down the grade, I can pretty much preserve my speed at around the posted limit without touching the gas. My real-time fuel meter lists my mpg at infinite, so it really is like turning a 15-mile commute into a 13-miler.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I know of a stretch where I can coast for about four miles. But there's one short uphill section where I'll drop to about 10 MPH. It would be a longer coast if the last part wasn't a steep downhill 30 MPH zone.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I know of a stretch where I can coast for about four miles. But there's one short uphill section where I'll drop to about 10 MPH. It would be a longer coast if the last part wasn't a steep downhill 30 MPH zone.

I the " Steep donhill, 30MPH zone", just stick the car in 2nd and use DFCO

2nd should stop it gaining too much speed, and you can use the brakes to keep it to 30..plus no burning fuel

[Ladogaboy]

I finally got to follow a car down this stretch of road today. Unfortunately, because of how the person was driving, I actually did have to press the gas a couple of times (the speed coming out of a couple of corners wasn't enough to preserve momentum). What I was really surprised about was how often the person in front of me was hitting the brakes (and hard, I might add). Basically, they were gassing it just to brake before corners, but their overall pace wasn't any faster than my steady, unpowered decent.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by 320touring

I the " Steep donhill, 30MPH zone", just stick the car in 2nd and use DFCO

2nd should stop it gaining too much speed, and you can use the brakes to keep it to 30..plus no burning fuel

I used to do that in 2nd or 3rd, but I find it easier to just use the brakes with the engine off. It's not steep enough to overheat the brakes. I do eventually lose the vacuum assist, but it's not a problem on the Civic. Some vehicles might be dangerous without assist. I do have to be careful not to lock the brakes when I bump start it while braking.

[Ladogaboy]

Yikes. I really wouldn't recommend running a car without a vacuum to the brakes.

[larrybuck]

The best long stretch in my memory is westbound on I-90 in western Montana.

After a summit climb, there's a fast 3-4 miles downhill approaching Butte, MT.

Other mentions would be the Grapevine in CA., Cabbage Hill just eastward of Pendleton, OR., and 2 places in western NC.: Old Fort mountain east of Asheville, and a sister mountain that descends toward South Carolina.

Someone should make up a book of these great downhills, so we could go and visit, enjoy as a tourist; sort of an adult Eco-Modder live video game to be enjoyed like a carnival ride!!!

[larrybuck]

The best long stretch in my memory is westbound on I-90 in western Montana.

After a summit climb, there's a fast 3-4 miles downhill approaching Butte, MT.

Other mentions would be the Grapevine in CA., Cabbage Hill just eastward of Pendleton, OR., and 2 places in western NC.: Old Fort mountain east of Asheville, and a sister mountain that descends toward South Carolina.

Someone should make up a book of these great downhills, so we could go and visit, enjoy as a tourist; sort of an adult Eco-Modder live video game to be enjoyed like a carnival ride!!!