Mid/Full Size Car with Decent Aero/MPG

[rta]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

Missed it at first as well, that's why I changed it too keep driving what you got. Not enought info on his Focus but I if it's a 2012+ based on the 37 mpg hwy, I would think it should do that even at 70 mph, based on my GM experience.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. The 37 rating was the old rating. It is a 2007 model and new highway is 33, with a combined rating of 27.

I suppose there could be something mechanically wrong with it, but I am beating the combined rating on my mixed commute even driving quickly with stop and go mixed in, and I can average the "highway" rating over a tank if I keep the speeds down.

I had a friend ride in it, and he said it sounded "normal" to him. I've just always had cars with bigger motors that turn low rpms on highway (impala 3.8 is the smallest motor in a car I have ever consistently commuted with, past commuters have ranged from 4.2 to 5.7 liters). I think it is just the nature of the beast. There are some clean Impalas with the 3.8 and under 120k miles near me for around 2k, so I may just pick one up and start modding it. I am ordering an ultragauge as well to see if I can't improve my technique a bit. Current Impala (LS) does instantaneous and avg MPG, but is quite optimistic.

On the plus side for technique, after some coaching my wife got 21 out of her last tank in the Aura. Still atrocious, but much better than 15 mpg... and her first tank of meeting the combined rating for the car.

[MeteorGray]

Quote: "I am ordering an ultragauge as well to see if I can't improve my technique a bit. Current Impala (LS) does instantaneous and avg MPG, but is quite optimistic."

Even though the factory lie-o-meter won't get the absolute numbers right, it will let a driver know the best driving technique on the road. In my experience, the instantaneous readouts provide all the clues needed regarding the effects of speed, wind, hills, gears, etc.

Even though the factory meters are usually optimistic, it doesn't matter when one is using the gauge for instant guidance about what's going on. The absolute MPGs can be discerned at fillup, which is the most authoritative and reliable source of results anyway.

[Fat Charlie]

Instant mpg is useless without short trip mpg, and that isn't anywhere nearly as useful on it's own as it is with long trip (tank) mpg.

That (and being able to calibrate them) is where the aftermarket gauges shine.

[PaulB2]

Get a VW Passat TDI. I am getting 50mpg for around 80% highway driving with mine, using mild hypermiling (no P&G) and it is nice and quiet. Not buzzy at all either; it's geared quite high. Plenty of torque when you need it too. You don't need a 6 cylinder engine for quiet. Should be able to get a good deal on one these days...

Mine is a manual transmission, though. These do somewhat better than the automatics.