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Old 03-10-2014, 12:27 PM   #2 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,530

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

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

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car Mirage - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 62.14 mpg (US)
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The faster you can drive, the better your data (when testing aero mods).

The route I use is a dead straight, nearly level 1.6 km (1 mi) stretch between the start/stop markers, with about half that distance on either end for speed up / slow down. I wish it were longer, though.

The posted limit is 80 kph (50 mph), but you can go 90 (55) without raising an eyebrow, and 100 (60) isn't uncommon (though it would attract police attention). There's also very little traffic on it other than start/end of the day plus holidays.

So to summarize, I'd say an ideal route for repeated (e.g. AAABBBAA) runs would be:

1) close to home (easy to use)
2) little traffic
3) flat
4) long enough between start/stop markers for your MPG instrumentation to settle into a steady average
5) a high posted speed limit (or no negative consequences for driving above it)
6) bonus: sheltered from the prevailing wind (if any)

Don't forget to drive far enough to warm up the entire car before testing. Coolant at operating temp <> warm drivetrain/tires.
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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
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Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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