Would like higher MPG....2010 Civic advice

[2010civic]

Thanks for all the good advice. This morning when I started for work I did not let my car warm up as much (20 degrees outside). I made very smooth acceleration to final gear. Stayed about 2200 for first three gears and then about 1900 for 4 an 5. I slowed to 65 MPH on the four lane today but went slower on the two lanes when I had to. I made long coast going to the stop signs. I have just a few turn offs but instead of 65 I went 60 and just cancelled the cruise and coasted to the stop sign. I cancel instead of tapping brakes. My car likes that. My UG should be here today according to the tracking info from the seller. I could have made all 5 days this week but I would have been dry. It took 9.6 gallons and my tank is suppose to be 13.2. I chickened out. Too far to walk if I am wrong. And I only have one leg so walking is out. I do have a prosthetic though to help.

Thanks again. I'll post some results from my UG and Civic this weekend and of course next week as my new destiny is hypermiling. Any other Civic drivers out there?

[Daox]

There are plenty.

You can see how others are doing by checking out the 'garage' link at the top of the page.

[Ladogaboy]

Sounds like you are already off to a good start! One thing: I'm part of that camp that doesn't believe that you really need to warm up your car. If it's extremely cold, you should find a way to keep your block/pan warm. Otherwise, there is little difference between idling while stopped in order to warm up the engine and idling while slowly driving (other than the gas that you waste by running your engine while not moving).

[Sven7]

I'll argue that taking hard turns isn't dangerous, but you are right about it wearing out tires.

Don't bother warming up your car ahead of time. Just drive it normally.

When you're coasting to stop signs you might consider shifting into neutral. Not all cars like this but it might be worth a try.

Look at the "efficiency mods" up at the top of the page and scroll down to the aerodynamics section. Reducing weight won't help you much when you're cruising at a constant speed, but reducing aero drag will help you a lot. Depends what your tolerance is for driving a silly looking car

[jsatter]

Slowing down will net you the biggest gains with mods like smooth wheel covers, a grill block, inflating your tires to the max side wall or over inflating netting more gains.

I drive a 2.0 liter automatic as well and I'm averaging over 35 mpg, and I know your car has better milage ratings than mine.

[2010civic]

Its just amazing how just a little adjustment makes a big difference. I now get40 MPG combined. Thats is great. It was the target for me but I think Ican do better. Not an inconvieance either. I drive slower but really lose no time. Seems like everyone that passes me, I catch up with while their all piled together in traffic. I have not drafted anyone yet and still adjusting but I think I am going to accomplish what I purchased the car for. I am switchiing to all synthetic tomorrow, my Amsoil came in this evening, and I have my UG already installed. My next goal is 44 MPG.

[Daox]

Congratulations.

[johnunit]

good stuff! congrats. very nice improvements.

[z3pilot99]

I too have a Civic. Mine is 2006 EX coupe, 5 speed. Best is 41mpg. I have an Ultragauge. I found that very helpful. I have a number of ways I can get to work. I drive about 130 mile round trip to work. Last week I went every direction I could. I reset the average on the ultragage before I left each direction. I did this to check which way was the most efficient. There is only a mile or two difference from each way I can go. One way each direction stood out. I am back to driving the CRX HF this week. But, I am now going the ways the ultragauge indicated was the most efficient. My mileage has seemed to have improved. I will find out when I fill up tomorrow morning. In another thread someone mensioned that the hybrid under body panels would fit the standard Civic. I do not know if that is true. Since my civic is a coupe and hybrids are sedans it might make it less likely. The newer civic (+06) automatics are supposed to get better mileage than 5 speeds. In my civic a sweet spot is 58mph. I found that the two lane highways are best as I can do the 58mph and run with the flow instead of 58 on the freeway and impeed the flow of traffic. Stop lights and signs are almost non existant for most of my travel on the highways which helps a bunch too.

[Krayzie]

Coupe: civic hybrid aero dynamics on a FG2 COUPE - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum

Sedan: civic hybrid aero dynamics on a FA5 Si - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum