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Old 06-29-2012, 04:36 PM   #38 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534

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

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 57.73 mpg (US)
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Hi Richard -

I'll assume you're looking for feedback in this discussion thread, so everyone doesn't reply via email with the same suggestion(s).

One big oversight: In the Tools of the Trade – Knowledge is Power section, I was very surprised you didn't mention using a digital fuel consumption gauge (whether factory equipped, aftermarket Scangauge/OBD-II or equivalent). That's consistently one of the very first pieces of advice given to new members here. It's critical, in my opinion.

Yes, an inexpensive vac gauge will let a driver fine tune load while accel/cruising, but a resettable average MPG display is the proof in the pudding that the driving techniques (or mods) are working or not. Once a driver starts to monitor results on regular short trips (eg. commutes), modifying the nut behind the wheel becomes a much more satisfying & challenging game. There's a good reason the devices are called "game gauges" by some people, and you need a MPG display to provide the score.

There's a very good reason hybrids and EV's have sophisticated consumption displays (my 12 year old Insight has FIVE different ways to track fuel use - six, if you count the fuel gauge ).

Logging fuel consumption tank by tank at the gas station is way too slow / low resolution for most people who are serious about saving fuel.
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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



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www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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