Saturn Astra: 37 MPG tank

[cfg83]

Hello -

On saturnfans.com I noticed a blurb that led me here :

Jetta Accelerates Jerkily, May Need Dealer's Attention - July 12, 2008
Jetta Accelerates Jerkily, May Need Dealer's Attention -- Courant.com
Duncan Haimerl

... My best mileage booster is a featherweight touch on the accelerator, as if you had an uncooked egg between your foot and the pedal.

I drove a Saturn Astra hatchback this week — the Opel-origin car with a 1.8-liter engine made in Hungary, a transmission built in Japan and the whole ball of wax assembled in Antwerp, Belgium, that has EPA estimates of 30 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.

Using my featherweight technique, I managed to make 5.002 gallons last 184 miles, which would make that a combined city/highway 37 mpg. Going down the hills where I live really helped. Now let's see what I can do on my trek into West Hartford.

It is only one tank, but it looks like it did well using "mild-hypermiling" techniques.

CarloSW2

[Krieg]

The Astra gets better mileage than just 30 on the highway. I'd guess more like 35.

Car and Driver tested an Astra against a bunch of other fuel misers. It was one of the more fuel efficient vehicles of the ones they tested. Only the Toyota Corolla was more efficient.

With the 1.8 Ecotec, the Astra has one of the smallest engines on the road today, and the smallest Ecotec that GM offers in the states. The other Ecotecs are a 2.0L turbo, a 2.2L, and a 2.4L.

I wonder if the other Ecotec users are going to get the downsized 1.8 anytime soon. It's almost a no brainer.

[cfg83]

Krieg -

Originally Posted by Krieg

The Astra gets better mileage than just 30 on the highway. I'd guess more like 35.

Car and Driver tested an Astra against a bunch of other fuel misers. It was one of the more fuel efficient vehicles of the ones they tested. Only the Toyota Corolla was more efficient.

With the 1.8 Ecotec, the Astra has one of the smallest engines on the road today, and the smallest Ecotec that GM offers in the states. The other Ecotecs are a 2.0L turbo, a 2.2L, and a 2.4L.

I wonder if the other Ecotec users are going to get the downsized 1.8 anytime soon. It's almost a no brainer.

Hrmmmm, I was thinking. Would the Cobalt XFE manual transmission just "bolt-on" to the Astra 1.8 Ecotec?

Note: I am asking this question without knowing if the Astra already has a taller 5th gear. I have been asking the same question about the Saturn Ion, which I know doesn't have the taller 5th gear.

CarloSW2

[Krieg]

I stand corrected. The Auto Astra only gets 30 highway.

Manual only gets 32.

5th gear ratio is 0.89. Final drive is 3.94.

The Cobalt XFE has a lower final drive at 3.74. So it does have a different tranny than the Astra.

[sporkinum]

Found this thread through google, and thought I would register and then throw in my 2 cents worth.
I have a 2000 Saturn LS with manual transmission and 2.2 ecotec (first year in US car). I have been limiting myself between 55 mph to 60 mph on the highway, and driving conservitively. I also have switched back to gasoline vs 10% alcohol. My last tank of gas was 36.2 mpg. I have been averaging 33 when running gasohol.

I know it's penny pinching, but a gallon is $3.60 for gasohol and $3.69 for regular. Difference in a 12 gallon fill up (13.1 gal tank) is $1.08. I save .92 gal a fill up or $3.40 less the 9 cents gal difference for a savings of $2.32 each tank.

It doesn't seem logical, but buying the more expensive fuel saves me money.