2000 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
 

Hi everyone! I am very new to this hypermiling/ecomodding scene and I'm very excited about what I am learning. The reason why I stumbled upon this forum and the art of hypermiling itself is because of being unsatisfied with my overall mpg for my Subaru. My best tank as I can recall was 26.5ish mpg (99% highway miles). My worst tank was about 20 mpg.

Even though I've always wanted to, I never recorded it somewhere like fuelly.com. However I can confidently say I average about 24-25 mpg in my Subaru. My previous vehicle was older, larger, heavier, had a bigger engine and averaged almost the same as my newer car. (I'm sure part of this is due to AWD...maybe?)

The first thing I have done after browsing this forum was change the way I drive. The tips I've learned here are amazing. My gas tank light meter in my car has 5 notches, top and bottom represent F and E, respectively, and I have 3 middle notches. A typical tank would get me about 350 miles, 360 if I'm lucky. After only changing the way I drive, I'm on the last (4th) notch from the bottom, and only have about 330 miles...very exciting. I actually started changing the way I drive after driving 90 miles after my last fill-up, so I can imagine the results I can possibly obtain from a fresh full tank. My current goal for this current tank is 400 miles, and my current mpg goal is 30.

I look forward to learning more from you all!

almost bought a 1999 2dr Subaru RS. Love the cars and the AWD, but I really needed a gas saver so I went for a Hyundai Accent. It can be done. I've seen imprezas with the rear axles completely removed. Made a 3-5 mpg difference.

Brucey here has the bigger legacy outback with a 2.5/auto and is getting in the 30's. I believe hes seen 40mpg as well. You definitely have room for improvement.

I'm rather new here too, and have a 99 OBS. Do you have a 2.2L?
I have yet to break 30mpg's myself, but someday... maybe after I get my check engine light off. (knock sensor, and O2).
P&G (pulse and glide, aka P&N pulse and neutral) seems to be affective in Subarus, but I do it very sparingly, as I think my trany is slowly dieing (but I've been thinking that for 30K miles, so who knows)
anyway, welcome!

oh yeah, how many miles? I've got just under 140K.
Have you filled your tires up to the max PSI yet? Use thin synthetic oil, trans fluid, and gear box oil and taken off the roof rack and AC belt (might want to wait on that one...)

I'm really amazed by Brucey milage, I think the E10 I'm using is not helping, but still he's had some tanks with E10 that put me to shame.

@jusnicho: My first car was actually an 2000 Hyundai Accent (not too sure if its the same generation as yours)...I never really kept track of the mpg because this was before I cared about that =P Nice, reliable, and fe cars that are inexpensive to fix.

@bhazard: Thanks! I have a smaller 2.2L/auto, so there is hope :)

@Dr. Jerryrigger: I have an automatic so I don't feel too comfortable with P&G. As for miles, I have just about 87000 +/- 100 miles. I actually bought it earlier this year when it had 82000 (exactly =P). My tires are currently max PSI. I'm due for an oil change now so I'll be sure to get synthetic, and I just had my transmission fluid replaced right after I bought the car. I have not yet taken the roof rack off because I plan on using it for bikes, however I probably will take it off right before it starts raining again.
It looks like you changed your hood to a non OBS hood...yess? I was thinking about that last night, but I really like the way the (unfortunately non-functional) hood scoop looks. It is something to consider in the future.

*wave*

Subie Automatics are a pain to stretch the gas with, but it can be done.

My biggest suggestion (as far as technique) is keep momentum at all costs. (Driving without brakes) Mine is pretty heavy and I still can't beat 24 mpg or so in mid day traffic with it. After that, avoid the A/C like the plague. I lose around 10% by turning it on. Find out where/when you can get in 4th gear and the torque converter locks. Keep it in that 'gear' as much as possible. It eliminates the losses from the torque converter. Keep the speed down (I never go above 60 unless downhill)

As far as mods, remove the crossbars on the roof rack and air the tires up. These are free and I always suggest going with them first (: I still haven't removed my roof rack entirely. I still use it monthly and it's a pain to remove and it would present more problems.

I also have an AT. P&G takes some getting used to with an AT but is quite possible. When going from N to D wile moving I like to gently press the throttle so the RPM's match what they will be in gear at that speed, like you would with a manual before letting out the clutch.
But with out P&G you should be able to get 28 highway with out any problem. I drive at about 58-60mph when it's safe to do so and can reliably get 28. Even at 65-70 I get about the same. I have the added motivation to keep it slow because of an oil leak. When the RPM's get up to about 3K, it leaks a lot faster, and onto my exhaust manifold, so when I stop I find myself in a cloud of oil smoke.
I do have the non-OBS hood. People ether seem to love the look of those scoops or hate them, I'm the latter, but to each there own. I wouldn't mined it so much if it acutely had some purpose.I didn't do the swap, just before I bout it some one stole the original one off it, right out of the auto body shop parking lot.... according to the car salesman.....
I still have my roof rack on, and I'm not sure if I'll remove it. It's nice knowing it's there if I need it. I actually cant remember using it in the two years I've had the car, with the exception of one xmass tree. But with my first car, a 92 Legacy sedan, I was consistently using the roof rack for random junk. That was an aftermarket rack, which I found far more functional, but was much less aerodynamic.
I feel like if I take it off the next day I'll see the most beautiful furniture on the side of the road, that is just a little too big to fit inside. I might still have the roof rack from the Legacy in my parents basement. If I do I think I'll take off the sock one, and keep the aftermarket one inside the car (it goes on in less than 10 min).

Oh, also get a 4 WHEEL alignment done as soon as you can spare the cash. My rears were out of a spec for an embarrassingly long time and were eating the rear tires up and after I got an alignment (and admittedly, new tires) my mileage improved and my tires are still looking brand new after 20k miles or so.

Update...I actually hit my goal of reaching 400 miles on a tank with a 28.54mpg rating...my highest for both. I filled up July 1st and I hope to hit 30mpg...hopefully 1.46 mpg isnt too hard =P Also...I haven't done much except change my driving habits-trying to avoid braking and traveling at least 5mpg under speed limit (except out of courtesy and safety). I'll probably bring in my car for an oil change and have tires rotated/aligned same time

Dang, that's impressive!!
I drive a 2000 2.5RS (quite modified) and am lucky to pull off 18 around town, and 22Hw.
But, I'm sure my added supercharger isn't helping my mileage. But, even before I added performance mods, I would struggle to even just get 25hw. Looks like I need to take the lead out of my shoes. :D

Skidd,
From what I found step on it! Accelerating at 2700-3000RPM is best, but be really gentle once you get up to speed, and slow down really really gently, with as little braking as possible. The slowing is the key, if your gassing it hard untill 20feet before a red light, then stomping on the brake you have some learning to do.

I updated my mileage...I got a whopping 1 MPG improvement =)...well technically 0.99 =P. I am very satisfied, yet I know I could have done better, especially on the last 1/3 tank. I drove around my girlfriend's girlfriends and didn't want to seem like slow driver. I don't know them that well, so I wouldn't want them to get a weird impression of me. I guess part of this hypermiling is psychological also =P. If I drove better, I'm sure I would have achieved that 30MPG goal. I'm going big for my next goal...I'm going to remove my mudflaps in hopes to decrease any sort of drag it may create; I'm also having tint installed which will hopefully cool my car down enough to not have a/c on as much; and lastly, I plan on detailing my car, and when I do, I'll remove my roof rack to hopefully decrease any more drag. 30MPG is inevitable, so my new goal is 31 XD

I just got a 31.99 tank (with my check engine light on)! but that was 98% highway, and my girlfriend's girlfriends already think I drive like an old lady :D , but that doesn't come up much as I generally have a back seat full of junk and tools.
I don't think the mud flaps are bad, but they could use improving. If they were shaped like the back of a tear drop they would likely help.
P and G is working well for me, but I don't know what you have for hills. It's best on roads you know well, but always: safety first!

^woohoo! just about 32!! better than me! I just filled up after my best tank ever and drove 429.6 miles equaling 30.38 mpg tank! Finally hit that 30 mark =) I actually didn't think I was going to hit it because my first 1/3 of a tank had a lot more city driving than I usually do. I also traveled about an hour back and forth in uncomfortable heat leading to my use of a/c, especially when driving a friend around who is used to weather thats 15 degrees lower. I took off my mud flaps and my roof rack, pumped up my tires, and also got an oil change with fully synthetic oil, but I'm still not too sure how much of an impact all those made. I'll see what happens with my next tank-my roof rack was taken off at about 130 miles on the tank, same with tires pumped up. Also, I'll add that Im not doing any coasting in neutral, i'm still iffy about the possibility of harming my transmission.
For my next tank...the goal is still 31, and i'll observe how each of my "mods" affect my overall mpg. I'll check my air filter to see if it needs replacing, and I might even consider removing the back plate of my hood scoop to throw air into the engine area instead of just having it blocked...Do any of you think this would help mpg-wise or am I just better off keeping the back plate on?

Thanks for everyones help! and i'll keep posted on my next fillup (if not sooner ;))

For me the tire pressure made a really big difference, and is the only way I've ever gotten over 30. P & N may be helping me a bit, but I've found that it's taught me a lot. Like today when I was "gliding" down a back road at 40, I found that I lost speed much faster on rough parts of the pavement, and I could go much further by steering around them. I would have never noticed the difference in gear. I knew that this is true, but never realized how dramatic it really can be. I'm scared of killing my trany as well, but I think mine may be on it's way out anyway. Having a over temp trany light makes me feel a little better, but I have resin to believe the sensor is messed up...

If a 1/3 of the tank was city you will likely see 32+ on an all highway one!

The air filter really doesn't make a difference, I know they say other wise on the box.... I mean if you need to floor it to get going, get one, but other wise save the 7 bucks for your next engine (that will add up by the time you need one, you do have at lest another 120,000miles)
I think the scoop would be a good mod, and simple. It will help your aerodynamics a little as that air will have a place to go. And subaru engines have been shown to not benefit from high air intake temps, as some cars do. If my car had one; it think I would have to make it into a intake. I doubt that an air ram helps FE, but it would be nice if the scoop did something.

Cool reading the tips about your imprezas - I have a 99 outback sport, most I've got from it was 33.4 mpg on mountain/highway driving. No mods to speak of, just had the passenger mirror tucked in. I usually get 27-28 from driving conservatively, but I don't take a lot of short trips - I usually use a bicycle if I'm going less than 5 miles or so.

I've thought about removing the hubcaps to reduce rotational weight for driving around town but I'm not sure how much that would hurt aerodynamics at higher speeds, I'm curious if anyone can offer any opinion here.

I need to remove that roof rack though, and may take the mudguards off as well, remains to be seen!

Nick

I don't think you'll have a noticeable difference with or with out the stock hubcaps. What has been shown to help a little is to cover the caps in tape or something to smooth them out for areo. I haven't done this yet, I cracked one of my caps and just took them all off.