[mpg_numbers_guy]

I'm hoping so!

Had a 143.6 mile trip up north for Christmas - got 76.6 MPG, but my front passenger bearing is really acting up now so I'm parking the car until I get it replaced. Hopefully I can get it done by the 26th or the 27th. I don't have access to a hydraulic press to remove the old bearing and insert the new one, so the Insight will have to brave the mechanic shop again.

Really pleased with how the Insight drove otherwise. Can tell the bearing was making it harder to drive efficiently for the last 20 miles of the trip when it started acting up; would've probably gotten around 78 MPG for the trip otherwise, as the fuel economy was still slowly rising until then, when it began plateauing, definitely due to the bearing. Car began returning stellar fuel economy (factoring in sub-freezing temperatures) 16 miles into the trip, presumably when the engine fully warmed up, although the coolant typically warms up much sooner. Downshifted three times into 4th for hills. Highway speed varied between 48 MPH (uphill w/ no traffic) to 73 MPH (downhill). Off-highway speed 61 MPH max (downhill), mostly 38-48 MPH. Temperature was 29F-30F. No heater or radio use.

Got my 90 day average above 70 from that trip; we'll see if I can maintain it with this weather and all....