MPG run

[Pu241]

TominMO,

I've done a far number of MPG runs based on 400 mile trip I used to make regularly.
I've hit 56 mpg using 55 MPH and various hypermiling techniques.
I use 89 octane without advancing the timing.
My wifes car (now under surgery by the world famous FB71) used slightly advanced timing, it had more pickup, but I could never reach the MPG that mine does regularly.
I used FMS lower springs in the front only and credit that with going from 53 to 56 MPG.
might want to checkout ecomodder.com they have a bunch of stuff we might want to use to increase our MPG.
I spend a lot of time in STL, so maybe you, me, and bemberg2 should have mini-meet.
You have my number give me a call.
I'm in Portland, OR this week but phone is free or I can call you back on a land line.

[festyxfi]

I love MPG talk....

My 89 carby w/5-spd transplant gets around 41MPG with normal freewa driving (60-70MPH) but whenever I slow down to a steady 55MPH for a long trip, it goes up to 49-52MPG, and this is one tired little L. It might help that I have no carpet, back seat or supports, the interior consists of two LX seats and a dash. I also pump the tires up way too high (48PSI) I get away with this because I've got two towers of used 12's behind the shop from all the parted out metros and festys.

I know for a fact EFI festys do better. I might hold off on the aspire swap for an EFI model, but I'm always torn between loyalty (carbie is such a trooper) and having the best I can get (a 90-93 EFI rust-free).

Shooting for high-MPG's makes driving fun again IMHO...

FX

[TominMO]

I've done a far number of MPG runs based on 400 mile trip I used to make regularly.
I've hit 56 mpg using 55 MPH and various hypermiling techniques.
I use 89 octane without advancing the timing.
My wifes car (now under surgery by the world famous FB71) used slightly advanced timing, it had more pickup, but I could never reach the MPG that mine does regularly.
I used FMS lower springs in the front only and credit that with going from 53 to 56 MPG.
might want to checkout ecomodder.com they have a bunch of stuff we might want to use to increase our MPG.
I spend a lot of time in STL, so maybe you, me, and bemberg2 should have mini-meet.
You have my number give me a call.
I'm in Portland, OR this week but phone is free or I can call you back on a land line.

Mini-meet sounds good, I'll call you. I didn't realize I had your number, but found it in my PMs. Sorry we didn't get together this weekend.
I'll check out ecomodder.com, thanks!

I wanted to avoid higher octane gas since it costs (a little) more; my idea is how to get the best mileage without spending bux. But I will probably advance my timing and use 93 octane, just for more power. And I will get a 40K volt coil from Jeg's to compare mileage.

Good info about the FMS springs. I had some on my CRX Si but didn't really like them because of speed bumps, and it being harder to get the car up on ramps (back when ramps were steeper). Plus the stock Si already had some pretty stiff springs.

BTW, my 2001 Acura Integra LS, 1.8L 5-speed once got 45 MPG with cruise control set at 55, no A/C, and with a 20 mph tailwind, which effectively cut wind resistance to almost nothing. And I've gotten 30 MPG with my 97 Subaru Outback 5 speed, but that was a casual test; it would probably do a little better if I really tried.

[Pu241]

Mini-meet sounds good, I'll call you. I didn't realize I had your number, but found it in my PMs. Sorry we didn't get together this weekend.
I'll check out ecomodder.com, thanks!

Think our highest hurtle to over come is our "streamlined" body contours.
Even that can be somewhat modified via a boat tail see the civic article on ecomodder.com!
Lots of good stuff there!

I wanted to avoid higher octane gas since it costs (a little) more; my idea is how to get the best mileage without spending bux. But I will probably advance my timing and use 93 octane, just for more power. And I will get a 40K volt coil from Jeg's to compare mileage.

I haven't seen any real advantage to 91, 93, or even 94 octane. Even with advancing the timing. there is virtually no positive effect on MPG.
Usually, I see a decline.
Don't know if the coil will make a difference or not.
Look forward to data.

Oh, one more thing, the fill-up is critical to getting good data.
I fill mine to the top each and every time.
Yeah, of course I always obey the "Do not Top Off" signs, and the new pumps with the vacuum connection makes it a PITA to fill it up.
But I fill it to the very top so that I can see gas above the nozzle flapper door. Its the only way I know to get reproducible fill-up data.

[Pu241]

I love MPG talk.... I also pump the tires up way too high (48PSI) I get away with this because I've got two towers of used 12's behind the shop from all the parted out metros and festys.FX

How do your tires wear at those pressures.
I'd expect them to wear in the center.
Throw a cover or something over your tires outside, they'll last a little longer without exposure to UV!

[JPT]

I run 44 PSI in my 155/80-12's (with normal tire wear so far), I run premium gas with the timing advanced 3 degrees over stock (more doesn't make any difference) and have about 30 lbs of stuff in the car with my 175 lbs.

With the stock transmission, I averaged around 42-44 MPG (I drive a little "aggressively").

With the Aspire trans, 39-41 MPG.

51 MPG? Perhaps I should slow down.

[Pu241]

44psi is max side wall pressure for some tires.
I run mine at max pressure either 35 or 44 psi depending upon rating as well.
48 psi is over pressurized, I've never seen a tire that fits our cars that had a higher pressure rating than 44 psi.

[batstiva]

Naw, if you slow down, it'll just take you longer to get there.

I have found that I don't see much difference at all anywhere between about 50 and 65mph. If I stay above 65 too long, I start to see a reduction in mpgs.

[Pu241]

Batstiva, have you been able to hold 50 or 55 MPH for nearly a tank of fuel.
I'm willing to be you'll see a difference between that and 65 MPH.
Again, it depends on how you fill the tank,you need to fill it to the same point each time to get accurate MPG readings.

[deathegg]

TominMO, very nice results... I never think to check humidity, etc for my mpg records.

Was curious - did you drive a steady 55, or where there stop signs and slow traffic to account for? The reason I ask is that with your car, (5-speed and F.I.), I'm thinking you should get better than 51 m.p.g. @ a steady 55 mph.

I know on my Festy, ('88 L+, carb, 4-speed- no overdrive), I once got 57 m.p.g. on a trip to MD from Pittsburgh. It was a steady 55 mph all the way (55 was the national speed limit back then anyway), and I had luggage for the weekend in the back. Now, this was years and years ago when the car was much newer, so maybe that had something to do with it too. Back then I never inflated the tires more than factory, and always used mid-grade gas.

More recently, on my 2006 cross-country trip from Pittsburgh to CA, I measured my MPG for the whole trip (about 2400 miles). Started trip with 166,000 miles on the clock (original engine etc). Went the speed limit the whole trip (usually 65 on highway, 55 on loop highways around major cities, and 75 on some western highways). My car was loaded with as much of my personal belongings as I could fit, so it was a big load. Got an average of almost 44 mpg.

Planning the return trip back to PA soon. I plan on some aerodynamic add-ons to improve m.p.g. The main impediment IMO to a Festiva getting very good highway MPG is the barn-door-like aerodynamics our cars unfortunately possess.

[batstiva]

Batstiva, have you been able to hold 50 or 55 MPH for nearly a tank of fuel.
I'm willing to be you'll see a difference between that and 65 MPH.
Again, it depends on how you fill the tank,you need to fill it to the same point each time to get accurate MPG readings.

I'm talking about the Malibu I drive right now. I might see a little difference, but pretty much every time I actually calculate mileage, I come up with 27-28mpg. Have made efforts to stay at or below 55, and have calculated other times where I know I was pretty much never below 65, and the mileage works out pretty much the same. And pretty much every time, I fill it until it is as full as I can get it.

Ironically, the best mileage I have gotten was going to Sharon PA, for the DJ meet. Pretty much never went below 70, interstates all the way, and averaged over 30.

[graywolf_14]

Ok this is cool but obviously not a real world test. Because I dont know anyone that just drives 55 on the highway or drives with everything stripped from their car.

[batstiva]

Ok this is cool but obviously not a real world test. Because I dont know anyone that just drives 55 on the highway or drives with everything stripped from their car.

True, but it's still a good baseline test. As Sammy says, I can't drive 55. At least not for very long. Still interesting to see what a person can actually get out of these cars, if they really think it through.

[gotrootdude]

"My next run, I will remove the rear seat, stuff in the trunk, and right mirror, and fold in the left mirror. I will remove the passenger seat (20 lbs?) and spare tire (25 lbs?), to simulate driving with less gas in the tank. All windows were of course closed when I made my run. And I am using 10W40 dino oil."

I highly doubt you'll see a difference making it worthwhile to remove mirrors or seats. My automatic averages 44mpg with an average of three passengers. If you're getting 51mpg, and the average driver drives around 15,000miles/yr, you're only saving around $100/yr for your efforts.

I'm actually surprised you'd save that much, after doing the calculations.

I consider myself to be a hypermiler-eco-modder myself, but I always have to do a cost/benefit analysis on any modifications since I'm on limited funds.

Ok this is cool but obviously not a real world test. Because I dont know anyone that just drives 55 on the highway or drives with everything stripped from their car.

I never exceed 55. Don't drive behind me.

[festyxfi]

PU, They don't seem to wear out any faster than normal IMO. It does make for a harder ride, and probably is hard on the struts. Even those tar lines across cracks in the road can be felt right up to the steering wheel.... I've blown out a couple of rears, but they were questionable tires at best. I do think running high PSI helps noticably with MPG's.

I often drive to and fro Mn. to the UP (a 418 mile trip) and when I have time and patience, I drive 55MPH and get close to 50MPG. If I kick it up to even 60-62MPH, it drops to 44MPG or a little less. It's worse in winter, and even worse with 10% eth.

50MPG is like mental gravy to me. I would like to have a clean EFI festy with aspire gear, then take long, unhurried exploration trips, all at 55MPH or less.... Can't beat that.

FX