yay! 40 mpg! Chevy Aveo :) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

katiep · 07-06-2011, 03:33 PM

I'm really excited that I hit 40 mpg. I got 39 on part of a commuting tank with no seats, new oil change, new filters (well, engine, oil, cabin), no passenger or rear seats, max sidewall fill in tires, and going 55 mph-ish. I also got 39mpg to and 41mpg back from a family visit. I jumped 10 mpg, and I'm not sure which thing had the most impact. I'd assume going 55mph. My slushbox shifts gears later than I'd like, especially in that range. And I'm not often going that speed.... The seats are pretty light, but I think all of them together are about 100 lbs. I also was able to do some coasting since it was quite hilly. But I've never gotten such good mileage on that trip or on a commute! I saved 4 gallons this weekend! I would've saved 16 if I hadn't gone anywhere though lol

I'm hoping to eventually get at least 50mpg *crosses fingers* with some aeromods. I'm nervous that I won't be able to get anything better than that though. I can't EOC. I'm driving an automatic, and I'm not a hybrid or diesel.

jsatter · 07-06-2011, 03:49 PM

Great job. The Aveo rates at around 28 mpg, so 40 is a 43% gain.

Losing all the weight, no doubt, reduced the fuel used to get up to speed.

A little bit of over inflation of the tires, if you're comfortable with that will give you a boost.

A grill block and smooth wheel covers are great projects that will get you some gains as well.

Keep it up!

bestclimb · 07-06-2011, 07:40 PM

On the highway loosing that weight has a negligible effect. if you are doing a lot of stop and go and you are using your brakes a lot it likely helped a bit. If you are coasting down to a stop, or nearly so, most of the energy you invested in getting up to speed was turned into distance traveled when you slowed back down.

TOOQIKK · 07-06-2011, 10:52 PM

nice job! hypermiling an auto is tough! good luck with your future mods!of to a great start!

Thymeclock · 07-07-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiep

I'm really excited that I hit 40 mpg. I got 39 on part of a commuting tank with no seats, new oil change, new filters (well, engine, oil, cabin), no passenger or rear seats, max sidewall fill in tires, and going 55 mph-ish. I also got 39mpg to and 41mpg back from a family visit. I jumped 10 mpg, and I'm not sure which thing had the most impact. I'd assume going 55mph. My slushbox shifts gears later than I'd like, especially in that range. And I'm not often going that speed.... The seats are pretty light, but I think all of them together are about 100 lbs. I also was able to do some coasting since it was quite hilly. But I've never gotten such good mileage on that trip or on a commute! I saved 4 gallons this weekend! I would've saved 16 if I hadn't gone anywhere though lol

I'm hoping to eventually get at least 50mpg *crosses fingers* with some aeromods. I'm nervous that I won't be able to get anything better than that though. I can't EOC. I'm driving an automatic, and I'm not a hybrid or diesel.

Are you coasting in neutral or in drive?

As I've mentioned elsewhere I can get 37 MPG with the A/C on at 65 MPH - but the FE goes to hell once it's no longer in lockup mode. But I'm not about to remove the seats (it's my wife's car). So 40 MPG is believable if you are driving above 45 MPH.

katiep · 07-07-2011, 08:07 AM

I coast in neutral usually since I can get juuuuuust a bit farther!

When I entered my gas and miles in the fuel log in the "garage" though, the thing said it was 39.8 mpg! Waa! I guess my phone calculator rounds up.... That's what I based my 40 mpg brag on. But I'll get it this tank!!!! I will!

99metro · 07-07-2011, 09:21 AM

Keep practicing, you'll get it.

Neutral coast so that you are around 25 mph or less before applying brakes. Sometimes you can "manually" shift simply by letting off the gas while accelerating and let it shift up earlier. If you are stop light to stop light, keep the acceleration light and time the greens so you don't have to stop. If you are traveling 4 miles or farther between stops, then 70 to 75% throttle on acceleration. Hills are subject to argument, but I tend to use steady throttle up them (no acceleration), off the throttle before peaking, coast over the top, then easy acceleration downhill to gain momentum for the next hill. If no "next hill" then coast down then resume target speed near the bottom. Steady manual throttle beats cruise control for MPGs. Just some tips (probably preaching to the choir!)

I believe the Aveo replaced the Metro, so the potential is there!

Daox · 07-07-2011, 09:52 AM

Very nice job! Not many with automatic Aveos have hit that high.

I agree that a top grill block would be a good addition.

Thymeclock · 07-07-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiep

I coast in neutral usually since I can get juuuuuust a bit farther!

Do you ever shift from neutral back into drive at higher speeds? It's questionable as to whether that might damage the transmission. OTOH, coasting to a stop or an almost stop is known to be OK, and I do that whenever possible.

katiep · 07-07-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

Do you ever shift from neutral back into drive at higher speeds? It's questionable as to whether that might damage the transmission.

I do do that and I've wondered now and again if I'm damaging the trans. It's been okay so far, and isn't making any nasty noises or showing anything on my RPMs that would indicate it's real bad..... It feels like it gets itself back up to the right gear in about the same time it would if I floored it. I figure that that wouldn't be too much different

If it was a new car, I probably wouldn't do it except for a few situations that I can think of: there's this great series of steep hills for like 80 miles where you can coast in neutral the whole way; coasting to a stop at a sign or light. I shift to neutral in bumper to bumper traffic too, since I sit in it enough that I figure it's gotta add up!