Poll: MPG before and after hypermiling

[peterj]

I would like to conduct a an informal poll to see the MPG benefits people are obtaining from hypermiling.

I'd like to try to limit this as much as possible to gains obtained exclusively through driver technique. I believe most hypermilers will utilize other basic techniques when they start hypermiling, including but not limited to increasing tire pressure, reducing unneeded weight, performing scheduled maintenance, etc. The only thing I wish to specifically exclude are physical mods, such as aerodynamic or engine mods. Additional guages (scanguage, vacuum pressure, etc) are, allowed.

Please list the following information. (feel free to cut and paste)

General info

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

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling:
MPG currently achieved:

Specifics

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

Many thanks in advance. Hopefully we can get enough response in this thread to make it a stickey!

[Frankenstipe]

Car Info:

Car Make: Toyota
Car Model/Body Style: Corolla Sedan S
Model Year: 2007
Engine Size: 1.8L 4 Cylinder
Transmission: Automatic

MPG Info (averages only):

MPG before hypermiling: 30 MPG @ 75 MPH
MPG currently achieved: 43 MPG @ 55 MPH

Specifics:

Location of primary driving (country/state): San Joaquin County, CA, USA
Miles driven per year: Roughly 15,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG: Stopped accelerating past 2,000 RPM's (unless in an emergency situation, i.e. merging too slowly ) and cruising on the highway at 55 MPH.

**I should also note that I have upsized my rims and tires, 17 x 7.5 rims with 225/45/17 tires. Stock size is 15 x 5.5 rims with 195/65/15 tires.**

[trikkonceptz]

General info

Car mfgr: Pontiac
Car model/body style: Vibe
Year: 2004
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.8L
Transmission type (auto/manual): Auto
MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 27.5
MPG currently achieved: 41.0

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Florida
Miles driven per year: 36000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG: Slowed to speed limit, coasting to redlights, Engine off @ idle. Inflated Tires to 50psi, added Acetone to fuel 1mL per gallon currently.

[PaleMelanesian]

1996 Honda Civic Sedan
1.6L manual 5-speed

Before:
city: 33-35 mpg
highway: 37-39 mpg

After:
city or on the highway: 60 mpg

Mainly in Texas.
About 10,000 miles a year.
Mods: Scangauge, partial grille block, tires 60 psi
Techniques: Pulse & Glide, engine-off coasting, Pulse & Glide, engine off at lights, extreme anticipation of conditions, route selection, Pulse & Glide, highway speeds down to 55-60, low rpm, etc...

[basjoos]

Honda
Civic CX
92
1.5L/I-4
M5

MPG average before hypermiling: 44mpg (winter), 49mpg (summer) in mostly highway driving.
MPG achieved by hypermiling before installing aero mods: 52mpg (winter) 60mpg (summer)

Location of primary driving (country/state): USA/NC
Miles driven per year: 35,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve hypermiling MPG: DWB, DWL, EOC, RPM's below 2000, max speed 60mph, preferred speed 40-50mph, raised tire psi from 34 to 48.

Since aeromodding my car, my preferred speed is 60-65,mph and am getting 65mpg (winter), 75mpg (summer).

[Doofus McFancypants]

Car Info:
Car Make: Nissan
Car Model/Body Style: Altima
Model Year: 2000
Engine Size: 2.4L 4 Cylinder
Transmission: Manual

MPG Info (averages only):** all city driving**
MPG before hypermiling: 22 MPG ( was a winter average for Dec 07)
MPG currently achieved: 30 MPG (last 2 tanks average)

Specifics:
Location of primary driving (country/state): Atlanta, USA
Miles driven per year: Roughly 15,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG: Slowed to speed limit, EOC (engine off coasting) to redlights/Stops, Engine off @ idle. Opprotunity parking. Minimum engine warm up time ( start and go)

[cfg83]

peterj -

(good thread!)

General info

Car mfgr: Saturn
Car model/body style: SW2
Year: 1999
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.9L/I4
Transmission type (auto/manual): manual

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 31
MPG currently achieved: 41 (32% gain)

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Los Angeles, California
Miles driven per year: over 23,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
- Scangauge I
- Drive like a granny
- Economy 5th gear swap
- (Mild engine on) pulse and glide
- Occasional EOC, driving off-peak
- WAI/HAI (Warm/Hot Air Intake)
- LRR tires one size up from stock.

CarloSW2

[NoCO2]

Car Info:
Car mfgr: Toyota
Car model/body style: Camry LE
Year: 1996
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 2.2L / Inline 4
Transmission type (auto/manual): Auto

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 22MPG
MPG currently achieved: 31.5MPG (50% over epa)

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Atlanta, GA
Miles driven per year: 15,000
List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
- DWL (driving with load)
- DWB (driving w/o brakes)
- Hold to speed limits
- Release gas pedal when accelerating to encourage upshifting from auto tranny
- accelerate like a granny
- 100KM/h on highways

[Arminius]

Car mfgr: Honda
Car model/body style:Civic LX
Year:
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 1.7L/ 4cyl
Transmission type (auto/manual): Auto

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling:33
MPG currently achieved: 45.5, but not JUST because of hypermiling

Specifics

Location of primary driving (country/state): Wisconsin
Miles driven per year: 15,000 - mostly city and rural

List all tools/techniques used to achieve current MPG:
- Scanguage
- DWB
- DWL
- EOC
- Tire pressure max on sidewall
- Route testing
- Drive no faster than 45, unless on freeway
- Release gas pedal when accelerating to encourage upshifting from auto tranny
- Accelerate like a granny
- Select parking spaces to max FE
- Lots of mods
- SUMMER GAS SURE HELPS!

[IndyIan]

Car Info:
Car mfgr: Plymouth
Car model/body style: Neon SOHC
Year: 1995
Engine size (displacement/cyl): 2.0L / Inline 4
Transmission type (auto/manual): Auto 3spd

MPG info (averages only)

MPG before hypermiling: 30MPG
MPG currently achieved: 36MPG

Specifics.
Mostly rural commuting,
70-50mph Pulse and glide using hills
Engine off at long lights
Car is lowered about an inch due to spring sag.
Tires at 40psi
Basically it take me no longer to get to work but I am getting better mileage!

[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.