2 consecutive 35+mpg 1997 s-10

[kir_kenix]

The weather has been great latley and I have been getting terrific mpg in my 1997 Chevy s-10 2.2l. 2 consecutive tanks over 35 (one of those eclipsing 37...my new personal best), and 5 consecutive 30+mpg fillups. All of these tanks have been recorded while using ethanol blended fuel (e-10 to e-30).

Since I'm living in the country now, the shortest trip on any of these tanks has been around 30 miles...probably the biggest change for me. Also, Northeast Nebraska is alot hillier then Southeast Nebraska where I moved from, so I've been using those slopes to my advantage whenever I can. In fact there is about a one mile stretch of road where I can shut the engine off and coast down everytime I come home. Also, it's waaay easier to run 50-55 mph here without fear of getting run over by a semi-truck.

A few observations I've made:

+Ethanol blended fuels seems to increase my average fuel economy nearly every time I use them (except possibly when pulling a trailer or with a heavy load). I know there is a BTU loss when going to alchohol, but maybe e-30 with is a sweetspot brought on by reduced pumping loss and/or reduced engine temps.

+Best 2 tanks to date were immediately after switching to Mobil 1 0w30 motor oil. Had been running 5w30 G-oil ultra synthetic, but wanted to simplify and run 1 oil in my car and truck.

+I coast (engine on or off) about 20% more now then I did whilst living in a flatter enviroment. However, I climb more hills.

Just had to post these results with everyone because I've been really happy with these last 5 tanks. Hope everybody else is seeing big increases due to the warm weather thats moved in.

[vrmilionzx]

Awesome results!

[Sporty Modder]

Wow that is incredible mpgs, i cant get that with my little car!

[JRMichler]

There's only a few trucks in the EM garage getting over 30 MPG. You are almost there. Keep up the good work.

[MetroMPG]

Congrats!

(And thanks, JRMichler, for pointing out how significant the 30+ club is.)

Originally Posted by kir_kenix

I coast (engine on or off) about 20% more now then I did whilst living in a flatter enviroment. However, I climb more hills.

Coasting following a hill climb (a relatively long period in the happy part of your engine's brake-specific fuel consumption map) is just about ideal, as you've discovered.

[smokey442]

I'm impressed. I have a similar vehicle 98 s10 2.2l 5spd. Hundreds of hours of engine mods has gotten a few low 40s MPG. Mixed drive cycle 37MPG. Keep up the good work.

[JRMichler]

Originally Posted by smokey442

I have a similar vehicle 98 s10 2.2l 5spd. Hundreds of hours of engine mods has gotten a few low 40s MPG. Mixed drive cycle 37MPG.

If you kept your fuel log here, that would make you the top truck for MPG.

Please also start a thread to tell us about your engine mods - what did you do, what worked, what did not work, etc.