70 MPG US (3.3 L/100 km) challenge (non-hybrid gasoline and diesel cars)

[GreenTDI]

Nice Jurgis!
I set my goal at 80 mpg (trip) this summer. And a 70 MPG tank.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

Nice Jurgis!
I set my goal at 80 mpg (trip) this summer. And a 70 MPG tank.

Whoa. Go for 90 and rival the legendary, almost unmodified PaleCivic (a 1996 Civic sedan) that got 90 MPG tanks a couple times.

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Whoa. Go for 90 and rival the legendary, almost unmodified PaleCivic (a 1996 Civic sedan) that got 90 MPG tanks a couple times.

My guess is that my car can get such numbers without adjustments, it could even easily exceed 100 mpg without wanting to brag. See what Gerhard Plattner did with a stock Fabia Greenline. But that will be with significantly adjusted driving behavior. And that's something I haven't fully mastered yet.

[Jurgis]

As I haven't a Fabia but a car at nearly same size, just a little bit higher, I passed the 100 mpg level twice. Yesterday driving on very small roads through a nature protection aerea at max 35 mph after 10 miles my scangauge confirmed 104 mpg and today on nomal country roads but faster, not many cars around me, I reached 102 mpg after 15 miles. The point of meter-reading was topological even a little bit higher than the point of start. At the end of the trip after 35 miles and some miles city traffic I could read 88 mpg. Anyhow rather good.

I can only repeat that the only changes I made is rising the pressure over the allowed limit. My wheels are given with max 44 PSI but I use them with 48 PSI, much more than Henry Ford suggested. Last summer I remounted the back seat again.

[PaleMelanesian]

That was with an ideal route that I no longer have.
That was in ideal weather (Texas hot dry summer).
The eco tires were well worn, so at their peak performance.
I was 100% focused every time I drove, tallying every stop light or sign that was less than perfect - it was a lot of work.
Full time P&G eoc.
There is something special about the 90's Hondas that the recent ones just don't have.

Mods were minimal - smooth wheel covers, high tire pressure, eco tires, Scangauge, blocked grille (in Texas summer! but watching temps with SG).

GO FOR IT!

[ASV]

I imagine that this is limited to cars
otherwise everyone on a scooter would take the prize

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

There is something special about the 90's Hondas that the recent ones just don't have.

I know! I can barely beat my '91 Civic's MPG with an Insight! Is my 20 year old Insight recent?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by ASV

I imagine that this is limited to cars
otherwise everyone on a scooter would take the prize

Yes. Cars. Not for nothing.. it does actually say "cars" at the end of the thread title.

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

There is something special about the 90's Hondas that the recent ones just don't have.

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I know! I can barely beat my '91 Civic's MPG with an Insight! Is my 20 year old Insight recent?

Don't forget that new car emissions are drastically lower than 20 - 30 years ago, due to all kinds of purification techniques that ironically just cost fuel. Also because of the higher weight for safety and their larger size.

I would get an even better MPG with the EGR and particulate filter deleted. But I would rather hang my nose at the exhaust of a recent car than that of a more economical old car .

[California98Civic]

With tires pumped up and my passenger wheel well skirt buttoned down and some serious hypermiling I scored to 70+ single run averages on my work commute in the last couple days. But I already have that sticker picture. I want the hat picture! 70+ MPG tank average this summer or bust, baby.