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Old 08-28-2012, 10:25 AM   #55 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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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)
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One point on cruise control:

I don't know what terrain you typically drive in. If it's literally flat as a board, then cruise control is as good as it gets. But if you're regularly going through elevation changes, an attentive driver can beat cruise: "constant throttle" is more efficient than "constant speed", and the average speed of a trip with either technique will be close to the same.

My advice to you would be: 1) track your mileage (at fill-up time - meaning full fills for accuracy). You can't manage what you don't measure.

2) Aero mods, since this vehicle mostly lives on the freeway, and drives at high speed.

- Have you pulled the roof racks off yet?

- Youv'e got a hitch; if you're handy (suspect you are since you're schlepping steel & plywood around), a hitch-mounted boat tail would pay dividends. EG: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ibe-22780.html

There are many more. Some quick & easy, others more involved. I'm sure you've perused the other aero modification ideas in the tips list: 65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com
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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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