Just bought a 2014 Mirage 5-speed (got 57.4 mpg on the 70 mi. trip home)

[drainoil]

Just found this thread. Great info! I hope the OP checks back in and sees this. When you are on the freeway, what is your average speed? I assume no higher than the posted limit, probably lower if feasable as most here do?

The higher rpms strike me but being this is a 3 cylinder, that must be the main factor here? I know driving my 1.5 litre vx motor at those rpms would really kill my mpgs, but obviously that is a 4 cylinder.

I really like your car and what you've done with it

[MetroMPG]

drainoil - I'll poke the O.P. to respond, but FYI here are some speed vs. MPG plots for the car with 5-speed & with the CVT:



From: Speed vs. mpg/mileage/fuel economy chart - Mirage 1.2L 5-spd and CVT - MirageForum.com

I'm hoping to get out this weekend with the borrowed Mirage I'm driving to run another set of points for the 5-speed.

[3dplane]

Originally Posted by drainoil

Just found this thread. Great info! I hope the OP checks back in and sees this. When you are on the freeway, what is your average speed? I assume no higher than the posted limit, probably lower if feasable as most here do?

The higher rpms strike me but being this is a 3 cylinder, that must be the main factor here? I know driving my 1.5 litre vx motor at those rpms would really kill my mpgs, but obviously that is a 4 cylinder.

I really like your car and what you've done with it

I've been poked

Hi drainoil!

I only keep a steady speed on highway if I can't get the tailgater to pass me,and there are more vehicles behind it,then I will do the speed limit.

If I'm alone,I will pulse and glide between the speed limit (55MPH) and perhaps 40 MPH.

If terrain allows for longer glides,I will EO(ff)C.

So I don't know my average speed but yes it is less than the PSL.

In town the engine is off more than it is on and I can get the MPG display to stay high sixties to mid seventies while matching traffic flow.

About the RPMs, I really don't know how much it would help to have taller gearing but I still say what I said before. You do not get the impression of a high revving engine while driving the Mirage.

Could be the 3 cylinders? I have never driven a Metro or other 3 banger car before to compare, but something about the harmonics that make it sound like lower RPMs than what it actually is.

[California98Civic]

Man I just noticed you and I at places 8 and 9 on the gasoline cars FE list, so I wanted to see what you have done to this 2014 car. Very nice! I didn't know the 1.2L was available in the states. Neat little car. I wonder how well they are selling. Anyone know?

[MetroMPG]

I know! I know!

~8k cars in the first 6 months of this year in the States, which is a little more than double what the company predicted (publicly, anyway).

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I know! I know!

~8k cars in the first 6 months of this year in the States, which is a little more than double what the company predicted (publicly, anyway).

This is a good thing. Not only for Mitsubishi, but this end of the new eco car segment as a whole.

[3dplane]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Man I just noticed you and I at places 8 and 9 on the gasoline cars FE list, so I wanted to see what you have done to this 2014 car. Very nice! I didn't know the 1.2L was available in the states. Neat little car. I wonder how well they are selling. Anyone know?

Hi Cal!

I did not do anything drastic to the car since this is my first new car and I want to keep it as factory original as possible.

In a nutshell I gave it a lower grill block,strapped on smooth wheel covers,lowered the front(maybe a little less than an inch), was able to replace a total of 6 exterior 5 watt incandesent bulbs with LEDs, I drive with the passenger mirror folded and I carry some junk in the trunk for weight to extend my coasts.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by 3dplane

I carry some junk in the trunk for weight to extend my coasts.

I agree. This seems counterintuitive to many people but if you use Pulse n Glide and don't have to step on the brakes very often, adding mass to the vehicle can actually improve the fuel economy.

[benphyr]

Originally Posted by sendler

This seems counterintuitive to many people but if you use Pulse n Glide and don't have to step on the brakes very often, adding mass to the vehicle can actually improve the fuel economy.

My understanding is that:

1. extra mass increases the amount of fuel consumed during acceleration (significant)
2. extra mass increases the amount of fuel consumed while at constant speed (very small due to friction losses-very small amount on level ground)
(Note however, if you factor in normal constant speed cruise control, add in a few hills, gusty wind, etc. constant speed can easily become the opposite of the advantages of pulse and glide and extra weight exacerbates the problem.)

3. However, and here is Sendler's point, when using pulse and glide: the decrease in consumption due to the extra length of glide is more significant than the increase during acceleration.

Also, if you have hills situated such that you cannot capture the potential energy of gravity for later use (because they have a traffic stop at the bottom of the hill for example) then extra mass may be an overall disadvantage because no matter what route you take, you still need to lift the extra mass back up the hill to the starting elevation.

So if your trip:
-Requires Constant speed, such as long highway trip on expressway that traffic or wife require constant speed - keep weight to minimum and use as much driving with load as possible,
-Has hills that it is impossible to take advantage of but require pouring gravity into heat at the brake pads - keep weight to a minimum, BUT
-Allows for significant Pulse and Glide then increased mass allows longer glides (and by association less pulses and less effort by driver), more constant speed, and therefore less fuel used.

Cheers,
Benphyr

[Fat Charlie]

Engine, gearing, mass, roads and traffic all play their parts.

On one hand, I miss the longer glides my heavy Subaru gave me.

On the other hand, the Subaru had power to spare while the Fit's engine is loaded enough when the car's empty. And despite the low gearing, it doesn't take much effort with pulse and glide to get good numbers, so I'll pass on adding weight.