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Old 02-01-2009, 07:17 PM   #7 (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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I agree with Bob, 10 minute trips are hard on a car in cold weather! And brutal on fuel efficiency. Particularly if you don't use a block heater. Your engine probably never warms up! The whole drivetrain certainly doesn't warm up.

a) you warm your car?? and if so how for how long? or

Normally: 850w block heater about an hour in the really cold temps, with an AC space heater on 750w for 30 minutes.

b) drive fairly quickly after starting?

Drive gently until things start to limber up.

c) have you noticed a major drop in MPG in winter?

Yup. 9 reasons why your winter fuel economy bites! - MetroMPG.com

Although haven't been hit as hard this winter (Nova Scotia south shore is balmy compared to eastern Ontario).

d) does shifting to neutral @ red lights really work ???

It saves a small amount of fuel, yes.

Welcome to the forum!
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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
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
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