Howdy
 

I've been casually hypermiling for a few years now. I started with a 2002 Ford Escort. I was getting 30-32 MPG out of a car rated at 26 just by being conscious of how I was driving, coasting as much as I could.

I'm driving a 2010 Kia Forte now. I've been keeping a fuel log on my own since I got the car back in February. I was consistently getting 32 MPG in a car rated at 28 with no mods to speak of. I've gotten as high as 36 on long highway trips with the cruise set to 70.

I just ran my first tank with the tires overinflated to 50 psi and got 33.5 mpg. Warmer weather might be a factor as well. Regardless, I'm only 0.5 mpg below the highway rating or 34 mpg.

I have plans for grill blocks (I already have the coroplast) and smooth wheel covers. I'll be sure to post pics and results. I'd love to get my MPG above the EPA highway rating and see a 40 MPG tank on a long trip. I think it's more than attainable.

I love the site, and I love reading about all the different mods everyone is doing.

Welcome to ecomodder.

Did you get a manual or auto transmission in the Forte ?

Try slowing down to 65, or even 60 on the highway if it doesn't take up excessive amounts of time.
This obviously depends on the trip distance.

On my 30 mile commute it doesn't make much of a difference, but on a 720 mile roadtrip it'd have cost nearly 2 hours ...

That's certainly attainable (with a manual transmission), even without aeromods.
Slowing down and changing the way you drive will have a significant impact on your fuel use.

Check out the 65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com and 100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com on the top of the page, see what tips you're already using, and gradually add more and more of these tricks.


The unmodded loaner car I'm driving now got me 57.7 mpg while it's rated for 48mpg - 20% better.
(Low Rolling Resistance tires @ 51 psi, I can't mod it as it isn't mine ;) )

If I can do it, so can you ;)