Poll: MPG before and after hypermiling

[adam728]

Car mfgr: Chevy
Car model/body style: Malibu LS
Year: 2005
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 3.5L / 6cyl
Transmission type (auto/manual): Auto

MPG info (estimates from memory, check every tank, but never recorded)

MPG before hypermiling: 30
MPG currently achieved: 33-34

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Arizona
Miles driven per year: 36,000 last year, 20-30% city, the res freeway

List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:

• Accelerate like a scooter pulling a cattle trailer
• SLOW DOWN! Used to drive 80-85 mph on freeway, now I keep it 65-70, unless running late.
• Don't drive into the Mexico plant, park at the border and catch a ride. Saves from idling in the slow moving line for anywhere from 15 minutes to well over an hour.
• Coast to red lights. Always done it, just try and do it better now
• "Draft", not close, but if I come up on a tractor trailer doing a few mph slower than myself I'll just follow along instead of passing. This probably makes the biggest difference so far.

I ordered a ScanGauge II on Sunday, we'll see what I learn from playing with that. I'm pretty happy to be able to pull 30+ mpg from a decent sized car with a V6 and slushbox tranny. The whole hypermiling thing is fun in a sense of seeing how good you can do, but it's kind of tough for me. Work pays the gas for my traveling, so driving slow and saving gas costs me time and doesn't save me money, although I get some satisfaction from being less wasteful.

[RH77]

Note: NOT all technique...

Car mfgr: Acura
Car model/body style: Integra LS, 3-Door
Year: 1998
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.8L / I-4
Transmission type (auto/manual): 4-Speed Automatic with locking torque converter and "Hill Logic Control"

MPG info:

MPG before hypermiling: 24-25
MPG currently achieved: 34

Specifics:

Location of primary driving (country/state): Kansas City Area
Miles driven per year: ~15,000

Mods/Tools:
*Max timing advance
*Winter Grille Block
*Transmission-Throttle Cable Tightened to Max Limit
*Cruise Control Throttle-Limiting System (CCTLS) (limits maximum throttle in cruise)
*Temperature-Adjustable Air Intake -- Target = 100F (WAI)
*PCV Bypass Oil Catch Bottle
*ScanGuage-II Monitoring and Feedback
*Synthetic Transmission Fluid Change
*Davis CarChip E/X OBD-II DataLogger
*Seafoam Cleanse x3 (Manifold); x1 Crankcase
*192-Degree Thermostat (170 = Stock)
*LRR Michelin MXV4-Plus XSE Tires
*Tire Over-Inflation
*OEM Engine Block Heater (with timer)
*Antenna Mod
*Exhaust manifold heat shield delete (for under-hood heat: intake, etc.)
*Splash Guard Delete x4 with underbody pans behind the rear wheels

Technique:

*Moderate Acceleration to 35 (TC lockup), with throttle-lift shifts
*Gradual Acceleration after TC lockup
*Light Timing / DWB
*DWL / Pulse-Glide (hills only)
*Corridor Effect
*Manual A/C operation when needed, or vent-only / windows cracked on highway -- down in town
*Coast, Coast, Coast...
*Minimal EOC (messes with the transmission computer and the TC lockup calcs)
*Lower Highway Cruising Speed
*Engine-off idle (if >1 Minute)
*Downshift on decel (if necessary) to keep engine speeds in DFCO range

I think that covers most of it

RH77

[RiseAbove]

Car mfgr: CHEVROLET
Car model/body style: CAVALIER
Year: 1999
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 2.2/4CYL
Transmission type (auto/manual): AUTO

MPG info (averages only) 20/28/23 EPA

MPG before hypermiling: 30 (I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN VERY LIGHTLY)
MPG currently achieved: 36 MPG LAST TANK

Specifics USE OF EOC, DWL, DRIVE 45-55MPH ON COMMUTE, HAVE REMOVED SPARE TIRE, ALL UNNECESSARY JUNK FROM CAR, FRONT GRILLE BLOCK INSTALLED, REMOVED RADIO ANTENNA. NO IDLING AT LIGHTS- ENGINE OFF! NO A/C. THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. TIRES AT 44PSI.


Location of primary driving (country/state):US/KY-IN (85% HIGHWAY)
Miles driven per year: 10,000

[Tourigjm]

Car mfgr: Toyota
Car model/body style: Corolla VE
Year: 1998
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.8L / 4 Cyl
Transmission type (auto/manual): 3spd Auto

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 29 (probably lower, didn't really keep track)
MPG currently achieved: 42 (not an average, but its the first hypermiling tank )

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): USA/Maine & Upstate NY
Miles driven per year: ~8,000 (I don't drive much at college, maybe <10mi/wk)
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
Scanguage II
DWL / Pulse & Glide
EOC to red lights / stopsigns
EOC on long glides
tires to 40 PSI
SRI (Short ram Intake, also known as a hot or warm air intake)
Pulstar Pulse plugs
Potential Parking
No A/C + Windows up on highway

Rear Window MPG Sign!

[99metro]

Car mfgr: Chevrolet
Car model/body style: Metro 2dr hatchback Base
Year: 1999
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 993 (1 liter), 3 cyl.
Transmission type (auto/manual): Manual 5 speed

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 43 mpg
MPG currently achieved: 56+ mpg

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): USA, Colorado
Miles driven per year: 30,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG: Scanguage, P&G, Nice-ON, Avanced ignition timing, 87/91 octane (every other tank)

[mush3gan]

General info

Car mfgr: Toyota
Car model/body style: Corolla S (compact sedan)
Year: 2005
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.8L
Transmission type (auto/manual): auto

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 25
MPG currently achieved: 34

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): San Diego, California
Miles driven per year: 7,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG: driving SLOWER, light on the pedal to maintain low RPMs, non-aggressive acceleration, timing green lights, coasting to stops (engine ON) instead of accelerating towards them, pulse & glide on the freeway (engine ON), pushing my car out of the driveway instead of starting the car first, not using the A/C, maintaining constant throttle (instead of constant speed), when on freeway--"driving without brakes"

all mods to my technique...none to my car

[azraelswrd]

Car mfgr: Toyota/Scion
Car model/body style: xA hatchback
Year: 2006
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.5L 4cyl
Transmission type (auto/manual): automatic

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 33
MPG currently achieved: 38 no SGII; 41 with SGII
Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): California, USA
Miles driven per year: 12,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
- slow down more
- get to max gear sooner and find "sweet spot" quicker; fuel-cut when possible
- neutral-on coasting
- no A/C
- avoid highways if possbile
- reverse into driveway
- park in pull-outs or pull-throughs
- use Scangauge
- blocked decorative divots
- partial grill blocks
- removed antenna
- pumped tires up to 40psi

EDIT: updated with SGII tank MPG after calibration. I'm usine NICE-ON more now and it compensates for some of those pesky stoplights.

[xbUser]

Car mfgr: Scion
Car model/body style: xB
Year: 2004
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.5L 4cyl
Transmission type (auto/manual): manual

MPG info (averages only) 31mpg

MPG before hypermiling: 35mpg @70mpg
MPG currently achieved: 39mpg @65mpg

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Bayarea, CA
Miles driven per year: 30,000 miles
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
Tools/mod:
upper grill blocked
pumping tires @44psi,
using 5W30 motor oil

technique:
DWL,
timing lights,
driving with 5th gear over 35mph (less than 2krpm),
drafting behind any size of truck if possible,
coasting with neutral (not much chance of doing that providing poor aerodynamic of xB and fast speed in bayarea freeway),
engine off @ long light,
no warm up (since driving very slow already),
running in racing line,
accelerate slowly,
light on pedal,
windows up above 40mph, A/C on only in freeway speed.

[i_am_socket]

Car mfgr: Toyota
Car model/body style: Corolla LE
Year:2005
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.8 L/4 cyl.
Transmission type (auto/manual): auto

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 31
MPG currently achieved: 41 (last 3 tanks)

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): NJ
Miles driven per year: 12,000 (was 24,000 until January)
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
- Slow down
- coast often
- minor EOC
- Engine off at lights
- upper grill block
- slightly overinflated tires (36 vs 32)
- unintended passenger mirror delete
- less A/C usage

[booferama]

General info

Car mfgr: Toyota
Car model/body style: Echo
Year: 2000
Engine size (displacement/cyl):
Transmission type (auto/manual): manual

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: approx. 32-34
MPG currently achieved: 46.83 on most recent tank (second tank of hypermiling)

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Cincinnati, OH
Miles driven per year: 12,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:

Coasting in neutral and in EOC; avoiding highway driving; no a/c; no idling; park face out. No SGii yet, but I want to get one.