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Old 11-23-2009, 09:42 AM   #3 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,521

Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 52.48 mpg (US)
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What you do after accelerating is far more important, in the big picture, than how you accelerate. EG. if you're regularly forced to brake after high load acceleration, your fuel economy will end up in the toilet compared to feather-footing up to a stop.

vielecustoms: also be careful about drawing conclusions about what works and what doesn't based on driving conditions / routes that aren't identical. EG:

-- as the weather gets colder your mileage is dropping.

-- If the new route is significantly short enough, you'll get worse mileage simply because the car spends proportionately more distance coming up to full operating temperature (not just the engine - the whole drivetrain, including transmission, tires, bearings...)

-- You might have had a short fill on the bad tank (unless you're filling to the brim every time)

-- Sounds like you're still dialling in the ScanGauge accuracy. If you're
"driving to a target MPG" when it's optimistic, that'll obviously lower your actual numbers.

You're in the Adirondacks, I see. You should consider going out to one of the AMEC economy events in the spring. Even if you didn't compete, I bet there are people who would be happy to talk to you / demo / give you a clinic on technique if you're interested.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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