Realistic max MPG for a 1390cc Volkswagen Polo

[Sven7]

I topped out at about 90% above mileage ratings on my Probe... and that was with moderate aero mods, heavy EOC on the freeway and drafting semis. Not fun nor especially safe. If you did some non-invasive aero mods (grille blocks, wheel covers/skirts, air dam) and weight reduction (rear seats, passenger seat, spare tire) I could see you getting 60+ mpg without going really crazy with driving techniques. It all comes down to... how much effort do you want to put forth? If you have a manual transmission it'll be a lot easier.

[Bataleon]

Originally Posted by ecomodded

Your 40mpg must be because you have a Automatic transmission ? with its mpg robbing delayed shift points

Sorry, I'd forgotten about this thread.

My car's transmission is manual. 60 MPH in top gear has the engine turning at 3000 RPM which seems pretty high but the engine is small.

Originally Posted by Sven7

I topped out at about 90% above mileage ratings on my Probe... and that was with moderate aero mods, heavy EOC on the freeway and drafting semis. Not fun nor especially safe. If you did some non-invasive aero mods (grille blocks, wheel covers/skirts, air dam) and weight reduction (rear seats, passenger seat, spare tire) I could see you getting 60+ mpg without going really crazy with driving techniques. It all comes down to... how much effort do you want to put forth? If you have a manual transmission it'll be a lot easier.

Great info. What are your Probe's mileage ratings and what are you getting now?

I reckon I'll start with weight reduction (back seats) then try blocking the grill. Luckily I cycle almost everywhere but next week I'm making a 250 mile trip which will give me a good baseline MPG.

Cheers

[serialk11r]

3000rpm @ 60 is not high for a 1390cc, that's what the 1.5L Toyota engines are geared for. I like to complain all the time about this, but my 1.8 is geared for 3300 @ 60

Since your trips are nice and long, I bet you could see 50-60mpg. Maybe keep the number at 50 in your head, so you have a higher chance of feeling good about yourself. I only get 30mpg but my engine burns oil, my gearing sucks, and I am always driving with a cold engine.

[Bataleon]

Wow, 3300 @ 60 does seem high. Is it possible to change the gear ratios?

I'm travelling 250 miles this afternoon. I'll have the Torque app running so I'll report back tomorrow. When it's cold and I do short trips my car's fuel economy also sucks--around 25 MPG US.

[dirtydave]

I wouldn't be surprised if you could crack 80mpg us.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Bataleon

Wow, 3300 @ 60 does seem high. Is it possible to change the gear ratios?

I'm travelling 250 miles this afternoon. I'll have the Torque app running so I'll report back tomorrow. When it's cold and I do short trips my car's fuel economy also sucks--around 25 MPG US.

With difficulty, yes. The sad thing is, a Lotus Elise runs 3300 as well, but it's got an 8500rpm rev limit instead of a 6700rpm rev limit. I'm putting taller tires on next time to drop it to more like 3100, so at least I can keep up with traffic without hitting 3500rpm.

Yea those cold trips suck, Torque tells me I get like 21mpg on short trips.

[Bataleon]

So, at the end of my 250 mile trip I managed 36.8 MPG which is disappointingly low. I kept my speed between 55 and 65 MPH and my tires were pumped to 40 PSI. I also removed the back seats but had a passenger with me and some luggage.

Any ideas how to improve this figure?

I managed 36.2 MPG on the return trip which is slightly worse.

Cheers

[Bataleon]

Hi all,

I traveled the exact same 250 mile trip again albeit it with a full car and managed 39 MPG, which is marginally better than last time.

I was coasting in neutral (engine on) down every hill and kept a speed of ~55 MPH most of the way.

It seems like my 1.4 liter Volkswagen Polo, without aero mods, is maxing out at around 36-40 MPG. I was hoping it would do better

Cheers

[Goldenstate]

Do not be afraid to try synthetic lubricants in the transmission and rear end. These two areas can make a nice dent into better mileage.

[awcook]

3300 RPM @ 60 is crazy, but I drive an auto which is totally different. At 3300 RPM I'm traveling at around 85 MPH. At 2500 RPM I'm at ~75 and 1900 RPM for 60 MPH. Your car should be getting better MPG than 36-40 on all highway trips though. My car does ~44 MPG on highway trips without even trying that hard (70-80 MPH, always running, no neutral coasting). Maybe you should do P&G with neutral coasting from 65-55 or something. I'm not sure how far your car will coast while doing that, but it's bound to help you.