[American Viking]

And I'm addicted to independent mobility.
I'm involved in alternative fuel and energy transportation.
Last year (Actually it was 2012, My brains still has not caught up with it being 2014) I bought two VW jetta's (just the 2.5L I5 gas engine base versions with 5 speed manual trans, not the coveted TDI's) to complement my two Honda VFR800 motorcycles. One VFR has an HHO fuel booster on it (best tank while SPORTtouring - 63.5 mpg) and the other is getting converted to run on Biomass-ethanol with another HHO fuel booster.

The prior family car was a Lincoln LS V6 automatic that was perfect example of how not to design and program a modern car for mileage. It suffered terribly in town getting suv like mileage thanks to poor programming of the transmission (even in so called SelectShift mode), power-train computer, high mechanical drag and an overly aggressive stability control. Currently it sits, waiting for either funds to arrive to convert it to an electric car (ala Tesla S) or to be sold in a divorce.

I'm no superman when it comes to getting great mileage, my family all are heavy people (the lightest is 250lb), I pack too much all the time, and I'm not a particularly patient individual, but I do well enough at coasting, anticipating traffic, smooth brisk acceleration to hit or better epa Highway numbers and generally be close to city mpg rating.

I've mostly been concentrating on the efficiency of the engines up to this point. Trying to get the most out of a gallon of gas without having to drive like some right lane wall flower.

ex. my VFR800 - Most riders I know, on the same model bike, get about 40-45 mpg when touring with about 70lbs of luggage. My last trip, I was carrying about 140 lbs of luggage, and managed 63.5 mpg. The run wasn't even a good example as the booster tank cracked and leaked out before the end of the tank. Without my booster working my mileage dropped into the upper 30's/low 40' that the bigger guy's I know were getting.

I'm thrilled with the numbers I'm getting on my bone stock (98,000 mile) Jetta right now. I have plans to fit a booster, get it a custom tune, sort out the suspension a bit (it sits nose high with the family on board) and then maybe a few aero tricks. My goal is TDI or better mpg's for it in this first stage.

I look forward to learning and sharing knowledge in this community.