Hello from Sunny Southern California (USA)

[smflorkey]

I just joined yesterday and started to read. My cars are a bit on the older side, and my house is even older (but not as old as I am ). I'm enjoying the knowledge many are willing to share. I hope to improve (reduce) my impact on my local environment and the world in general.

I drive a 1993 Honda Accord EX 5-sp at 28-29 MPG in mixed driving. I think I need an MPGuino or something similar to help me improve my driving habits.

My wife's car is a 1997 Honda CR-V LX which seldom gets more than 20 MPG due to its size and shape and complex drive train (automatic with all wheel drive). The traction is great since there is a limited-slip link to the rear wheels that works quite well. OTOH, all that machinery takes a lot more gasoline to move. It is safe and reliable and she likes it so she'll probably drive it until the wheels fall off. I'll have to have a line on a more efficient vehicle before that happens.

A co-worker almost applauds drivers of large vehicles since he sees their excessive consumption leading us to depletion of fossil fuels sooner which will lead us to an alternative form of portable energy more quickly. It's a slightly skewed view, but interesting to hear him explain.

Shalom,
Steve

[Frank Lee]

Your co-worker is nuts.

[SentraSE-R]

Welcome Steve,

An MPGuino would be great, if you can figure out how to install it. Once you have that feedback to your mileage, you should easily begin to approach 40 mpg fuel economy, if you're willing to modify your driving habits.

About 70% of my mileage gains came from slowing down. Most of the remainder comes from coasting as much as possible.

[Clev]

Hi, Steve. Welcome to the club. I work in Irvine, so I'm in your neck of the woods a couple days a week.

You're doing pretty well. I get about 32-34 mpg in mixed driving in my '90 EX, and about 37 doing mostly freeway driving.

[MadisonMPG]

Your coworker's logic is off.