Bested 40MPG on my work commute!

[jakobnev]

Normally this trip is what kills my mileage. It starts out with a steep downhill into an intersection with poor visibility where i have to yield and turn sharply. Then it's steep downhill again, and at the bottom of the hill a 19mph-zone starts. The trip is also a bit short (6 miles one way) which makes engine temps a problem. And traffic frequently gets in the way of efficient acceleration.


Lately however, it's been really warm and traffic had been lighter (vacation times). So last week i finally did it, 40MPG! And earlier this week i did it again, and today 41!


40 isn't difficult on longer trips, when i drove to the gym and back (about twice the distance than to work) i got an "easy" 48.

The trick? Rather aggressive P&G, my engine is either between 2000 and 3500 rpm on high load, or off. I EOC closer to 70% of the distance.

[morphector]

Nice work with the mx-3

I had one 3-4 years ago besides fe it's a really nice car!

It's off-topic but a great trick I found about these car is to install an oil filter from a corvette zr-1 from the nineties. The large oil filter will have less resistance and you won't hear your lifters ticking back 500km after an oil change.

[jakobnev]

Thanx.


Today i beat 50MPG on my trip to the gym and back! (127% above EPA!)

[Cd]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

Thanx.


Today i beat 50MPG on my trip to the gym and back! (127% above EPA!)

What were the temperatures on this trip ? Did you engine off coast much on hills ? What other tricks did you use ?

I'd still love to get me an mx-3 someday, but need to know how easy it is to get at least the same mileage as i now get with my Civic.

Have you ever thought of tuft testing the car ? It sure would be interesting to see the flow on the back glass ( this could be a simple single person test - just prop the video camera in the back seat pointed at the back glass. )

[jakobnev]

Can't give you numbers, but as warm as it gets in Sweden in the summer, it's probably much hotter over there.

Same technique as described in my first post, just a longer trip.

I've considered tufting, but topside aero is just not a priority right now - i've got bigger fish to fry. (Such as bottom side aero, engine bay insulation, and possibly a VVO-burning block heater(no electricity where i park))