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dkunitz · 08-15-2016, 03:56 PM

Welcome to the MZ3--I picked my 2006 version (fuel log) because I felt that it had such better build quality than the other used hatchbacks I looked at and because it only had 63K miles when I bought it in 2014 and I wanted to get back into a manual transmission.

I could get mid- to upper-30s MPG on the highway just by running sidewall max PSI and using DWL, targeting the PSL. DWL is easiest with instrumentation--I have a ScanGuage Velcroed to the top of the steering column so I can watch my realtime mpg to make slight throttle adjustments. I said could because I don't take road trips anymore since my in-laws moved nearby. So now it's all city.

Short trip city driving is a struggle: despite using sidewall max PSI, EOC, DFCO, never idling, DWL, DWB, timing approach to lights and traffic, short & skip shifting, route planning for lights/topography, removing all stuff from my car; I still can't reliably get over 27 MPG driving my 15 minute commute over a tank. The only idea I have is that the car isn't fully warming up.

So, to help my short trip MPGs, I think I'll need to fully block the upper grill, partially block the lower grill, add a WAI, and maybe use an engine blanket.

So, that's my current situation... Are you primarily driving city or highway miles?

08-15-2016, 03:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
dkunitz EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 14 Zoomer - '06 Mazda 3 s Touring hatchback Team Mazda 90 day: 27.38 mpg (US) Penny - '15 Honda Odyssey EX-L 90 day: 20.89 mpg (US) Thanks: 10 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Welcome to the MZ3--I picked my 2006 version (fuel log) because I felt that it had such better build quality than the other used hatchbacks I looked at and because it only had 63K miles when I bought it in 2014 and I wanted to get back into a manual transmission. I could get mid- to upper-30s MPG on the highway just by running sidewall max PSI and using DWL, targeting the PSL. DWL is easiest with instrumentation--I have a ScanGuage Velcroed to the top of the steering column so I can watch my realtime mpg to make slight throttle adjustments. I said could because I don't take road trips anymore since my in-laws moved nearby. So now it's all city. Short trip city driving is a struggle: despite using sidewall max PSI, EOC, DFCO, never idling, DWL, DWB, timing approach to lights and traffic, short & skip shifting, route planning for lights/topography, removing all stuff from my car; I still can't reliably get over 27 MPG driving my 15 minute commute over a tank. The only idea I have is that the car isn't fully warming up. So, to help my short trip MPGs, I think I'll need to fully block the upper grill, partially block the lower grill, add a WAI, and maybe use an engine blanket. So, that's my current situation... Are you primarily driving city or highway miles? __________________