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Fiestagrrl · 08-09-2011, 07:17 PM

I drive a 2011 Ford Fiesta SES sedan with a five-speed manual transmission. EPA rates it at 28 city/ 37 highway/ 32 combined. It's a year old now and has just over 12,000 miles on it. I have an average weekly commute of about 200 miles with about half through very congested Los Angeles city streets and the other half on fairly congested highway. Up to now, my usual combined city/highway fillup shows a computed fuel economy of about 32 mpg at 21 mph, though I've seen many all highway trips average better than 40 mpg.

Lately, I've been trying to see how I could improve my fuel economy just by knocking the car into neutral whenever I take my foot off the gas (instead of coasting in gear, and being tempted to tease a little gas without thinking of it). One part of my commute on the 405 freeway involves a large hill (at the Sepulveda pass) which can offer a 1 to 2 mile opportunity for coasting.

I've gotten two complete tanks so far that have averaged better than 40 mpg by using this technique! during the last three tanks, I've seen highway trips that reached average highs above 44 mpg, but then the city driving brought it back down to 40. I don't have the scangauge that you all talk about, and have made no other modifications to my car. The only change is that I am more cognizant of being in neutral and coasting whenever possible.

Also, even though the freeway takes me longer, I get on it much earlier than I used to, because the city streets require too many full stops, and the freeway allows me to coast more frequently.

I'm really excited about his improvement! Was wondering if you have other tips to share?

08-09-2011, 07:17 PM	#60 (permalink)
Fiestagrrl EcoModding Lurker Join Date: May 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I drive a 2011 Ford Fiesta SES sedan with a five-speed manual transmission. EPA rates it at 28 city/ 37 highway/ 32 combined. It's a year old now and has just over 12,000 miles on it. I have an average weekly commute of about 200 miles with about half through very congested Los Angeles city streets and the other half on fairly congested highway. Up to now, my usual combined city/highway fillup shows a computed fuel economy of about 32 mpg at 21 mph, though I've seen many all highway trips average better than 40 mpg. Lately, I've been trying to see how I could improve my fuel economy just by knocking the car into neutral whenever I take my foot off the gas (instead of coasting in gear, and being tempted to tease a little gas without thinking of it). One part of my commute on the 405 freeway involves a large hill (at the Sepulveda pass) which can offer a 1 to 2 mile opportunity for coasting. I've gotten two complete tanks so far that have averaged better than 40 mpg by using this technique! during the last three tanks, I've seen highway trips that reached average highs above 44 mpg, but then the city driving brought it back down to 40. I don't have the scangauge that you all talk about, and have made no other modifications to my car. The only change is that I am more cognizant of being in neutral and coasting whenever possible. Also, even though the freeway takes me longer, I get on it much earlier than I used to, because the city streets require too many full stops, and the freeway allows me to coast more frequently. I'm really excited about his improvement! Was wondering if you have other tips to share?