Delivery Driver's Problems ('96 Civic CX ... seeking advice)

[Fat Charlie]

Monthly can be good enough.
2013 Honda Fit, EPA combined rating 29 mpg.
In three months it's gone 6674.6 miles at 43.4 mpg.
That cost $548 in gas, saving $271.63 against the EPA rating.
With a monthly payment of $286, hypermiling has saved me nearly one payment in three.

Compared to what I would have spent on gas if I'd done those miles in the Albatross at 18 mpg, saving gas in the Honda has offset all but $85 in payments. If I compare it to the Albatross' 15 mpg EPA rating, my savings put me $178.11 ahead of my payments- all in three months.

[96CX]

I like to think of it in terms that let me remember that it helps keep my monthly household budget at $1,800. So I can put all the rest of my money in savings/investments. Basically, I save a whole tank of gas every month by getting 45mpg instead of 34-35.

The long-term outlook is good too, but it's hard for me to get excited about $2,100....5 years from now. I'm much more thrilled to have found $35 in my pocket this month. And next month. And the next month. And every month.

[Fat Charlie]

Heh. Don't look for one place to save $2100, instead look for 60 places to save $35!

[96CX]

Sorry I've been AWOL for ages, but I've been busy.

Last winter, I put on studded tires, and MPG promptly went down to about 38-39 consistently. I finally put my summer tires on and WOW what a difference! Jumped up to about 41-43! Then I decided I should fill the tires up to about 40 PSI, and I could tell just driving that it rolled better. I was then getting 43 all the time.

I decided to try changing my route through town-- that made a 2-3 MPG difference. I'm hitting 45 MPG consistently.

I did put on some aero wheel covers, though I don't think they make too much of a difference at the < 40MPH speeds I'm generally going.

One time, I filled up and registered 48.2! I'm back down to 45, so I think it was a fluke, but it was 46 MPG prior, then 48, then 45, so it wasn't just "filled up at a different pump" (which I did).

I'm shooting for 50MPG. Delivering pizzas. Just wanted to pop back in and say thanks to you all for the help and encouragement.

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the update. Keep us posted when you crack that 50 mark.