View Single Post
Old 08-27-2012, 01:01 PM   #53 (permalink)
MetroMPG
Batman Junior
 
MetroMPG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,515

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)
Thanks: 4,062
Thanked 6,960 Times in 3,604 Posts
Wow, this went off the rails, didn't it?

One of the more valuable members of this forum (not very active now) happened to have had a goal of "70 mpg @ 70 mph". He had his reasons for wanting to cruise "fast", and was extensively modding his car to help him achieve his goal, and sharing his mods & results with everyone.

I have no problem with offering suggestions to someone who doesn't want to reduce their cruising speed, or wants to drive a huge vehicle, even if I personally think it's wasteful and don't do either myself. I also have no problem with immediately pointing out that slowing down is the most obvious and effective solution - I guess it's all about approach. How about posting a speed/mpg chart to a similar engine/vehicle? Pointing out alternatives to the huge vehicle are valid too of course, done tactfully. (EG: smaller vehicle with a utility trailer for the rare times people move big stuff.)

This thread went off the rails and I think it reflects poorly on the site - wish I'd checked in sooner (was away for 3 days). Way too much attitude in this one.

I think we should be willing to offer constructive advice to anyone who signs up and asks. The noobs who are genuine about wanting to save fuel will consider our advice & implement what they can. I suspect most will probably disappear when they realize there is no magic bullet, only magic buckshot, and refusing to change behaviour severely limits their options.

But every once in a while someone new steps back and does a "big picture" re-evaluation of their energy consumption, and ends up making big changes (e.g. even trading for a more efficient vehicle, or going hog-wild on mods). Not going to happen when the member leaves after a welcome like this.
__________________
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
  Reply With Quote
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to MetroMPG For This Useful Post:
Cy-Gor (08-27-2012), Flakbadger (08-27-2012), JRMichler (08-27-2012), Krayzie (08-27-2012), maczo (08-28-2012), scivicblu83 (08-30-2012)