100% improvement in mpg (...from '04 Aveo automatic to '00 Insight 5-spd)

[slowbro]

Where do I begin?

At the end of July, I developed a huge desire to acquire a first generation Honda Insight (stick shift, of course). I had had good memories driving my Chevy Aveo, even though I didn't pick the car, and I didn't really like Aveos or Chevys, in general. This is where I started to search for the right Insight for me. After missing good opportunities on Ebay and Autotrader, I was starting to get very frustrated in my search. A new advertisement on Ebay that looked promising soon drew my attention, and if everything went well, I knew this is the car I'd have. After calling the place, and asking a few questions, I made an offer and it was accepted. The only problems were that I didn't know how to drive stick yet, and the car was in North Carolina (I live in Illinois). Finally, I decided on the first weekend in August, I would have my car.

Unfortunately, I was informed after I made my payment that the hybrid battery went out. The dealership I bought it from replaced it before I picked it up, and they even offered to pay for a new plane ticket if the job wasn't done by the time I was going to pick it up. Everything went to plan, and I got a free new battery, while the dealer lost money selling me the car. I strongly recommend buying a car from Cheatham & Cheatham Associates if you live near North Carolina. They treat their customers as they would wish to be treated (they sell many used hybrids too).

Anyways, after work on that Friday, I finally got someone to teach me stick. He only gave me about 40 minutes of his time, but I picked it up pretty quickly. The next morning, I woke up at 4:00 am to catch my plane from O'Hare. The dealership offered to pay for a limo so I took them up on that and arrived at about 10:30 am Eastern (9:30 by my watch). I took it for a test drive (luckily didn't stall it) and headed on my road trip back to Illinois. Driving through the Appalachian mountains in my new car with a new healthy battery was something I'll never forget. I drove for 9 hours that day and the remaining 5 hours on the next day, stopping once for fuel. Even driving 70-80mph with the AC running the whole way (sorry if I just made a few of you throw up in your mouth, I know I'm disqusted with it), I achieved about 60 mpg (the dealership filled it all the way so I don't have official numbers, just the reset trip display).

Now, here I am in Illinois learning to hypermile my car, and at the moment achieving about 70 mpg under my new ecomodder username, slowbro (formerly known as Aveomiler), enjoying my 2000 Honda Insight.

Pics:







^^That last pic is where the title of the thread is from.

[maczo]

Awesome buy, nice write-up. :envy:

[HydroJim]

Pretty sweet deal that you got a new battery. Your insight is begging for a boat tail like 3-wheelers: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ect-13533.html

[HyperMileQC]

I think I'm jealous... Very good buy

[Weather Spotter]

looking good! time for a boat tail!

[MetroMPG]

Lucky you. Welcome to the club! I'm impressed by your determination: 40 minutes on a stick before driving your new one across a few states!

Does it have RE92's on it?

[slowbro]

As much as I admire 3-wheeler's boat tail, I'm going to try to focus on learning how to drive this car. I can't see a boat tail in this car's near future. I would like to install a kill switch though, and maybe an inconspicuous grill block to help especially when winter comes.

As for the tires, I believe they are re92's. I believe I saw Bridgestone on the tires and the word potenza when I zoomed in on the pictures I took earlier.

Also, what should I do if I want to map out lean burn in this car? I prefer a separate instrument from the in-dash display. I've heard the mpguino can account for lean burn, but are there any other gauges. I have the scan gauge e and I know that does track it.

[Weather Spotter]

get some LRR tires when you need tires next, they got me 5-8% better MPG (bridgestone ecopias)

[Varn]

Keep the throttle light and get it into top gear as soon as the engine will pull it. Be careful about Chicago traffic. Stay in the right lane.

I remember once being in chicago traffic and being forced into the left lane by traffic while on the brakes in the snow. I did a 180 degree spin on the expressway in my R5. I was facing traffic in rush hour.

Soon after, I moved out of that rat race and never looked back. Crime here is at about 2% of what I used to experience.

[slowbro]

Varn,

Thanks for the tips. I'm starting to get the acceleration down. It's tough not to use the assist and still drive in traffic, but like you said, I stick to the right lane and I avoid main roads at all costs, taking side streets and back roads everywhere.