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Old 11-21-2012, 11:28 AM   #3 (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)
Thanks: 4,062
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Yay, the Ford has a manual transmission.

That's where your biggest potential for savings lies in that vehicle. As Pete says, read the hypermiling/ecodriving tips list. You want to cruise in the highest gear you can without lugging, miminize your use of the brake pedal (and engine braking), maximize the time spent coasting in neutral toward stops & turns, and avoid idling (shut it off when stopped for more than ~30 seconds).

I don't know how capable a driver you are, but advanced techniques that save a lot of fuel are engine off coasting and pulse & glide (though this one is arguably harder on the vehicle as well). Check those out as well ... and don't try this stuff in traffic. Learn in a safe, isolated location if you're going to try those so you don't crash your car when you inevitably screw up.

And... welcome to the forum!
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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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