impreza and AWD: short trip recommendations?

[ever_green]

i take public transport to downtown everyday. but i need to drive to the train station every morning and back every evening. its a 7km trip each way and it has considerable stop and go traffic. it lasts for about 15min (avg speed 20mph). my fuel economy used to be 10lhk (24mpg) mostly longer city trips. now im getting only 15lhk or (15mpg). i dont idle, i drive right off as soon as i start. most of the crawling trip i avoid the gas pedal and let the car roll at 700rpm. i also try to drive without brakes. most of my acceleration off redlights i shift at 2500rpm. 3-4-5th gear i shift at ~1700rpm. i cruise at ~1300rpm near 40mph when possible. shidting in 4th gear means more 4WD and my MPG sinks.

[MetroMPG]

7 km... that's 4.3 miles for our American friends.

Why not bike? (When it's nice out.) Sorry if that offends, but for the low average speed you're driving and over such a short distance, that's what I'd do. (I used to live in Toronto and commuted Beach -> U of T area regularly.)

You'd save yourself ~$350 in 6 months in fuel, plus the cost of parking (if any), plus wear & tear on the car.

Sounds like you're driving well with the hand you were dealt, but in those conditions & with that short trip length, you're up against the wall.

[niky]

I'd say, since it's mostly stop and go, to try timing your stops or do some mini-pulse-and-glides, but I don't know if you could get more than 14 lhk in the situation you describe.

[ever_green]

i was aiming to get at least epa 11.5lhk. i dont know why but my mileage today was vastly improved at 12lhk. im starting to suspect my scangauge 2...i will be comparing it with my car's on board trip computer my way home. but i did experiment with lower rpms today and moderate loads (60%). this should confirm my suspicion that higher loads means worst mpg for me due to awd system distributing more torque to all wheels. for example lane changes cause big spikes in consumption without pressing the throttle any harder. i know that subaru claims 80f/20r torque distribution on highway cruising and up to 50/50 split other times. my long term fuel trims go rich whenever i apply +80% LOD.