View Single Post
Old 04-19-2014, 12:10 PM   #85 (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
First ecodriving session, 2014: first family victim!



This was my first immediate family member interested in eco-driving - my brother and his new-to-him 2005 Nissan X-Trail (predecessor of the Rogue not sold in the States). 2.5L, 4-cylinder, 5-speed manual, AWD.

The usual bits of advice applied: avoid rushing into situations where you have to brake; cruise in the highest gear whenever possible; coast in neutral up to stops/turns/slowdowns; use DFCO to save fuel when you are forced to slow down faster than neutral coasting.

The fun bit was when he noticed: "You accelerate faster than me."

I've heard this observation from several drivers, and I like busting the myth that "efficient driving equals slow driving." (Highway cruising excepted.)

It turned out my "demonstration" lap was 1 km/h faster (average speed) than his "baseline" lap, despite me hitting more unavoidable red lights. Moderate/brisk acceleration is fine, provided you don't brake or otherwise slow down immediately afterward!

I'm looking forward to doing more of these this year.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	ecodriving-2005-nissan-x-tr.jpg
Views:	375
Size:	42.2 KB
ID:	14914  
__________________
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 5 Users Say Thank You to MetroMPG For This Useful Post:
digital rules (04-22-2014), Insight for life (04-19-2014), niky (04-20-2014), pgfpro (04-20-2014), wmjinman (04-21-2014)