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Old 10-29-2008, 10:53 AM   #5 (permalink)
PaleMelanesian
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,321

PaleCivic (retired) - '96 Honda Civic DX Sedan
90 day: 69.2 mpg (US)

PaleFit - '09 Honda Fit Sport
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90 day: 44.06 mpg (US)
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No, not in the same way you do. I admit that.

I have a short commute (8-9 miles), and my engine never gets to full temperature in the mornings. Even in the summer, which is serious in Texas, it doesn't get fully warm. When the engine's ideal operating temperature is 180 degrees or more, even 80 is a "cold start".

Letting the car warm up before driving moves you to the right on this chart. You never make up the fuel burned. Less engine run time (eoc, etc) moves you to the left. So don't idle it, just start it and drive away.

Measuring the temperature rise, rather than just the final temp, isolates this from daily and seasonal climate fluctuations.
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11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles

Last edited by PaleMelanesian; 10-30-2008 at 09:22 AM.. Reason: left / right confusion
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