Uber MPG Cobalt

[roosterk0031]

I broke into the 500's first time ever with a 500.5 this morning in the Stratus but took 14 gallons. 700 is amazing.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Fr3AkAzOiD

Well I did it.

702.2 miles on a single tank of gas!

Highest round trip mpg was 58.7 mpg but I blew that out of the water tonight with 65.1 mpg.
Highest trip to work was 61.4 mpg and I beat that yesterday with 65.9 mpg and then blew that away this morning with 70.3 mpg.
As well as beating my highest mpg for a tank of gas. My long standing record of 53.8 mpg was set on 4/26/10 and has been destroyed by my 59.56 mpg tank.

Now I have to learn from you, the best I can do was 52mpg.

What conditions were there?

What speeds did you drive and what techniques did you employ?

What distance is your average trip?

How much throttle and what gears do you use at different speeds?

I would like to try and replicate your driving technique on my 010 cobalt.

I have gotten 70+mpg on the trip meter a few times on short trips were the motor was already warm and I could basically slide back home P&G at low speeds.

Thanx
Ryan

[camopaint0707]

If only I didn't supercharge my cobalt lol.

[cbpldc]

That is awesome range! We regularly crack 400 miles to a tank, but I can't really brag too much as I have an 18 gallon tank in the Buick. I'm working on adjusting my driving style to squeeze 450 and maybe even 500 if I can stay off the loud pedal.

Chris

[Fr3AkAzOiD]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Now I have to learn from you, the best I can do was 52mpg.

What conditions were there?

What speeds did you drive and what techniques did you employ?

What distance is your average trip?

How much throttle and what gears do you use at different speeds?

I would like to try and replicate your driving technique on my 010 cobalt.

I have gotten 70+mpg on the trip meter a few times on short trips were the motor was already warm and I could basically slide back home P&G at low speeds.

Thanx
Ryan

Ummm...wow

First the question you didn't ask....mods.

Shim kit in rear and front alignment to bring the car close to 0 toe.
Broke in my new tires this winter, Michelin Energy Saver A-S in stock size running at 44 PSI cold.
Partial grill block, I blocked off above the bowtie, and the lower grill leaving the center open.
Mudflap and FM antena delete.
Mobile 1 Advanced Fuel Economy oil. Only helps a smidge but figured I'd list anyway.


My trip to work is 35 miles each way.
Start in town and drive back county roads through farms to another town. 45 and 55 mph limits and 15 traffic lights. I usualy catch less then 1/2 those lights and have gotten good enough at memorising the pattern that I usualy only get suprised by 1 each way and the rest I know I'm going to hit and EOC up to them and time them so I only get down to 10 - 20 mph instead of a full stop.

Being North Carolina it's in the low 80's to mid 90's this time of year depending on time of day and we havn't gotten much rain at all this year.
Here is where I sound crazy, windows up, circulation fan on max, only turn on A/C if my flesh starts boiling and even then I cycle it on and off.
I also turn my daytime running lights off even though thats probably only good for 0.25 mpg improvement.

Started this tank just before Memorial Day weekend and there was no traffic.
I P&G with EOC, pulse in 5th gear, 100% throttle to 52 mph, glide down to 38 mph.
If a car comes up from behind I keep a steady 45 mph (5th gear) untill they pass. If the locals don't understand what a passing zone is and a line starts forming I'll speed up to 50 or 55.

When I accelerate from stop I give full throttle (except 1st, peeling out is not very fuel efficient) through each gear and shift at about 2,200 rpms.

Just keep in mind this 700 mile tank that averages 59.5 mpg was me pushing for a personal record and isn't what I usualy get. The tank right before that one I had 48.9 mpg and the one after my 700 miles one I got 53.8 mpg.

Though I did just do 420 miles on 7 gallons this week.

I may be developing a problem. :\
Is there such a thing as ecomodders anonymous?

[rmay635703]

Hmm, I have been thinking about a couple comments in the other thread about a 6sp xmsn swap

Prepare for Take-off: 6-speed 3900 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe To Deliver Real Excitement - GM Inside News Forum

I believe the F40 bolts right up, now I might have to sell my 010 cobalt and get an old one and drop one of these 6sp suckers in, or mod an Old 3800 lesabre and see if I top 40mpg in it

How many GM FWD's had the same bolt pattern? It appears many over many years but not sure what the iff is.

Aw well.

[brucepick]

Nice job!

[JethroBodine]

Looks like you might be passing me back soon. Weather here is really taking it's toll and I have been trying to modify my driving to allow me to stay somewhat warm(ish) and still stay over 50mpg. New tail is helping, but snow and ice do NOT lend themselves to carefree coasting.

Keep up the awesomeness.

[5speed5]

Wow! I have to say these Ecotec engines are officially "all that and a bag of chips".
I was able to reach 626.4 miles on a tank with my '06 HHR. However, that was 14.804 gallons (16.2 gallon tank on HHRs**) for that tank for 42.14 mpg. Not bad for a SUV/crossover vehicle. Mine has "the big engine" (2.4L) and it surprises me how much power it has for being so fuel efficient. Hoping to break 45 mpg next summer.

** Hmmm I wonder if Cobalts could swap to the HHR tank since they're on the same platform. Imagine your range with a 16.2 gallon tank.

[Fr3AkAzOiD]

The Cobalt XFE actualy was fitted with a smaller gas tank.
The '05 Cobalts had a 13 gal tank, the '08 XFE and later have an 11 gal tank.

Only reason I could think that they changed it would be to make a smoother underside for airflow. I want to do a belly pan but the underside of my car is already fairly smooth compared to other cars I've looked at.