the "Daily Drive" thread - March 2008

[ericbecky]

Do we get to count it as infinite MPG when we walk or take the bus?

[Who]

That was the Accord's last fill. Well maintained 2001 5 speed. Does the same short trip stuff. People shouldn't breed in the burbs. Kids make schedules demand 2 vehicles, and neither can be a Smart.

She does the same stupid commute although she should use the block heater we just put on with the new timing belt water pump at the 55k mile point, and she could also take 5th down to lower speeds but you tell her.

Makes me feel way better for what I get in the lead station wagon.

I'd like to know what load just cold bearings cause. Looking forward to spring... happy to be passing the equinox.

[metroschultz]

I left work tonight at a reasonable time, 11:45pm.
As i was traveling down thew highway on my way home.
In the right lane, DWL ~55mph
I see many blue flashy lights in front of me.
All the other traffic ssslllooowwwsss down and a giant GMC Yukon pulls directly in front of me.
He had been rolling up on my left earlier at a faster pace than me.
Leaving little room between him & me.
I lift my foot from the throttle to allow him to pull up and space us out
BUT
my Geo stays right in his wake
SO
I lift my foot a little more, same thing, foot completely off the gas and I am still traveling at 55mph ~1 geo length from him.
I put car in neutral and ride his wake for ~ 1/2 mile before a side gust of wind breaks the wake/drag connection.
Just another indicator of the parasitic drag caused by the turbulence behind our cars.
The Yukon didn't even feel the Geo behind, cause he was already pulling twice the weight in dead air. [I'm guessing]
I know the dangers of tailgating.
I was actively trying to distance me from him.
I did not want to hit the brakes, but was getting ready to when my earthship finally broke free from his tractor beam.
Thats my funny [not haha] story for the day.
Good Night and have a Pleasant Tomorrow
S.

[PeteHalo]

Originally Posted by Who

That was the Accord's last fill. Well maintained 2001 5 speed. Does the same short trip stuff. People shouldn't breed in the burbs. Kids make schedules demand 2 vehicles, and neither can be a Smart.

Talking about smarts, I broke my personal mpg record today with my smart Roadster while learning to do P&G. After a 78 km (49 miles) trip, of which 30 miles was trailing a Russian semi truck, with an average speed of 73 kph (45 mph) the onboard computer displayed numbers 2.8l/100km (83mpg). Unbelievable, and with a completely stock vehicle with no aero or other FE mods. A feather light body with a small turbo charged engine really seems to be the key to high mpgs

[roflwaffle]

Bumpin' up against 40mpg. I'm hopin' tomorrow will get me ~43-44mpg.

[homeworkhome53]

2007 Aveo stick, rural highways. This last tank was 383.6 miles, refill with 9.651 gallons for 40.05 mpg.

homeworkhome53

[cwarnar]

I got my Scan Gauge today and will be hooking it up tonight. After my terrible refill last week (22 mpg) I have been impressed thus far. By changing driving habits only I have already gone 62 miles with the gas needle not moving.

I now go 55 mph to work (I have a 28 mile round trip) instead of 68 mph. I have also mastered EOC for rolling into main street and home.

I will be doing a tune up this weekend (changing plugs & wires, distributer cap and rotor, fuel filter, O2 sensor, PCV Valve, Synthetic ATF Swap). Hopefully my WAI comes this week as well, shooting for 40 mpg!

Also if anyone has any recommendations on Low Rolling Resistance Tires let me know. I am looking at the Nokian i3, I do almost all highway driving.

[MetroMPG]

next... the "Daily Drive" thread - April 2008