Introducing "LOG"

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by brandonppr

I gave it a try. At first I thought my DIC was not logging the miles because it would say 0mpg with engine off key on, but when I restarted it my avg mpg jumped up. I only drove down to the store a few miles from my house so I haven't had time to try it out, but I did increase my DIC avg MPG by 1 MPG in a short trip.

The first thing you should do is read the owners manual and see what it says about towing or coasting etc. Back in the good old days the manufacturers would recomend that if your vehical had to be towed more than a specified distance you should remove the drive shaft or use dollies. As a general observation I dought that coasting for a mile or two would harm the transmision. But read the owners manual first and don't get sucked in by two bit opinions that may only be wearth a nickle.

[pletby]

Originally Posted by redyaris

What I have found is that I can bump start in 5th gear as low as 50km/h [30mph]. what I have noticed is that the higher the gear I bump start in the smoother it is. the only problem I have notice when bump starting in 5th gear at very low speeds is that even the smallest amount of thoatle gets the scanguage to 90%+ load rightaway. what I do now depending on conditions is bumpstart in 5th and then down shift to 4th then pulse to 80km/hr [50mph] and glide... what I also do is pulse and glide eoc to the road conditions, in order to engage gravity drive.

I was playing around with bump starting today and found I could bump in 5th (which is the smoothest like you said) all the way down to 20km/hr then shift into whatever gear appropriate. It's fun being able to EOC without worrying about coming to a stop first. I can see WAY more opportunities to have the engine off while driving. Can't wait to see what mpg I get. Standard transmissions are fun!

I also found the Echo doesn't glide as far as my Contour, but that's probably because the Contour is much heavier. All my glide points that would get me there with speed to spare get me there with none to spare! Literally less than walking pace. Oh, wait a sec, I haven't pumped up the tires yet. Ack! That could be it. Will pump up tires tomorrow.

[brandonppr]

Thanks, I will check and see.

[brandonppr]

I just found this on the Chevrolet website: 2011 Chevy Malibu Sedan Specs and Features | Chevrolet

On the left side column it says:
Flat/dinghy towing
Tow with all 4 wheels flat on the road. You wont need a trailer to tow Malibu behind your RV.

Also found this on a towing forum:
I have a 2011 malibu 1LT 4cly that I recently purchased to tow 4 down. After reading the post here I called GM customer service at 1 800 222 1020 Spoke to a rep name Robert, talked to him about towing 4 down and etc > Gave him my vin# so he could verify the transmission in my malibu. He said he would find out about all my concerns and call me back in 4 days which he did, said my malibu had a 6T70 6 speed tranny and could absolutely be towed with 4 down.....I owned a 2007 malibu that I towed and never had a problem of any kind..



So I think I'm good.

[Fat Charlie]

Originally Posted by redyaris

what I have noticed is that the higher the gear I bump start in the smoother it is. the only problem I have notice when bump starting in 5th gear at very low speeds is that even the smallest amount of thoatle gets the scanguage to 90%+ load rightaway. what I do now depending on conditions is bumpstart in 5th and then down shift to 4th then pulse to 80km/hr [50mph] and glide... what I also do is pulse and glide eoc to the road conditions, in order to engage gravity drive.

Don't fully let off the clutch when you're bump starting- you don't bump start into a gear, you just use that gear to start the engine. As soon as the engine starts moving, get back on the clutch and select the appropriate gear for your speed.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by brandonppr

I just found this on the Chevrolet website: 2011 Chevy Malibu Sedan Specs and Features | Chevrolet

On the left side column it says:
Flat/dinghy towing
Tow with all 4 wheels flat on the road. You wont need a trailer to tow Malibu behind your RV.

Also found this on a towing forum:
I have a 2011 malibu 1LT 4cly that I recently purchased to tow 4 down. After reading the post here I called GM customer service at 1 800 222 1020 Spoke to a rep name Robert, talked to him about towing 4 down and etc > Gave him my vin# so he could verify the transmission in my malibu. He said he would find out about all my concerns and call me back in 4 days which he did, said my malibu had a 6T70 6 speed tranny and could absolutely be towed with 4 down.....I owned a 2007 malibu that I towed and never had a problem of any kind..

Great. Keep an eye on the check engine light. I stupidly EOC-ed a auto trans rental recently. After 2 total miles, the check engine light came on. I stopped that "experiment" immediately. By the time my fantasies of being required to buy that crappy dodge a new tranny had subsided the next day, the light had gone back off. No trouble over the next several hundred miles.

Good luck...

[pletby]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Don't fully let off the clutch when you're bump starting- you don't bump start into a gear, you just use that gear to start the engine. As soon as the engine starts moving, get back on the clutch and select the appropriate gear for your speed.

You bet, that's what I'm doing. Too much previous experience as a broke kid bump starting my car because the battery didn't have the juice to start on a cold morning at the top of a hill. Also with a motorcycle with a crappy charging system.

The thing is with this car it's too quiet to hear the engine without the windows down at idle. I have to feel it (kinda hard) or notice when the dash warning lights go off again. Ha ha kinda funny.

[redyaris]

Well, I made it to 1024km on 38.2L and still had 3.8L left in the tank. It looks like I will be able to get to the 90 day average of 60+mpg.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by redyaris

Well, I made it to 1024km on 38.2L and still had 3.8L left in the tank. It looks like I will be able to get to the 90 day average of 60+mpg.

Sure does! Congrats.

[pletby]

Originally Posted by redyaris

Well, I made it to 1024km on 38.2L and still had 3.8L left in the tank. It looks like I will be able to get to the 90 day average of 60+mpg.

Rock on man! Great job!


I found I CAN actually restart and put my car in drive at speed without any catastrophic failure! (by accident) I tried pulse and glide tonight for the first time with this car. Smooth as silk as long as I stay out of the range of 2nd gear where it bumps a bit. Look for big change in my results with this next tank. I can see where I'll need to plug in the car now though (charger installed) as I am going a LONG way with the engine off, then using the starter. LOG(ing) away! I'm so happy!