Festiva 60Mpg Challenge!!

[jesteratc]

This all started because of my girlfriends car.
1995 Buick Regal Custom 3.8L 190hp

She was getting 23mpg in the mixed driving. Not great, and the car was a constant problem child. Every 2 weeks something else broke.

We Decided to get her into something a little more reliable and fuel effecient. :toothy4:

2007 Honda Fit Automatic 5 speed, with Paddle Shifters (Sport Model)

By Helping my girlfriend get into this type of car i expected to see fantastic mpg. Honda says it should get 31mpg city/ 37 mpg highway. Thats not very impressive to me. But ill take it right?

WRONG!! :sad3:
Her first tank of gas she came to me and said happily she was getting 24mpg. I was SHocked :angry7: Whats the deal, Ok maybe it was just a glitch.

Second tank she gets 25mpg. Ok, a lil better but im still upset.

Third Tank 26mpg. Ok, something is seriously wrong. She has the oil changed, as it is supposedly needed. Next tank fill up, 26 mpg.

Ok, time to take charge. I ask her to take me for a ride, and i instantly see the problem. Her. haha. :argue: Jackrabbit starts, like the ones that put you back in the seat. Air con on all the time, even if its cold out. Flooring it just to get to the next stop light. I tell her, i think her driving is all wrong, and i will show her how to drive properly. We took a road trip to my parents, Mosty highway. I know a big difference from city, but i wanted a dramatic comparrison.

51.2 MPG. :evil3: Way to go little fit. I got to the highway, put the cruise on 60mph, almost no stops what so ever, with the AC ON the whole time.

Heres where the Festiva Comes into play.

I plan to better that 51.2mpg, by 10mpg.

My car
1988 Festiva L, 62hp, 4 seed manual. Carburated 72,000 original miles.

For a little while last year with the gas crunch, i was trying to get the best in town mpg; I have short trips to work, only 3 miles 1 way.
My best ever in town mpg was 41 MPG. I was pretty damn impressed with myself. This was using a few hypermiling techniques like coasting anywhere i could, and timing traffic lights as much as possible. (I didnt shut the car off at lights, because i need to pump the gas to start it. I fgured this would cancel out in the long run)

MY GOAL

To achieve 60 mpg on the highway. At 55 mph. (55mph is the local freeway speeds by me, at least this way no one can be too mad because im at least doing the speed limit).
I believe i can do it. But what it will mean if i do complete it?I will be in the Best of the Best range. I dont consider the Prius a challanger :pottytrain1: , but i do think the Honda Insight is a real contender.

My car is Completely stock, no changes other than adding a walmart cup holder. I have the stock Spare and changing kit in the back. Sock 12" rims, and im using 87 octane gas. Cheapest i can find really. I have not done any weight reduction. I am 250lbs, 6ft tall. Just to be more realistic, i will fill up at the two gas stations i filled up while testing the Fit.

I will post my results within this week hopefully. I have many other cars to drive so i can start modding my festiva to see a difference if i dont get 60mpg on the first shot.

Wish me Luck,

Andrew

[bhazard]

I think I would try some aero mods and maybe consider swapping a 5 speed in. Maybe even swap to 155/80/13's if the weight doesnt screw things up.

Block up the grill, put a belly pan in, smooth wheel covers, rear wheel skirts, maybe lower it?

[crazyrog17]

I agree with the aero mods. At least front and rear belly pans to smooth the air coming in and going out. Only cover half of the bottom of the engine bay though. Any more and you'll have some cooling problems.

Increase tire pressure a bit to lower the rolling resistance. If you can, get your hands on some lighter wheels and tires. If not, grab some 'racing disc' hubcaps to reduce drag.

Weight does matter, but once you're rolling on the freeway, it's more resistance to worry about than anything. Aerodynamics and tires on the road.

Your wheel bearings should be good too to keep the resistance down.

[jesteratc]

I believe Aero is the way to go, if i fail my first try.

After watching an episode of Myth Busters. They were doing a golf ball test. Reguardless. They took a ford taurus and at a constant 60mph they got 26.3mpg. Then they loaded it with 1000 lbs of Modeling Clay. Redid the 60mph and got 26 mpg. That is almost un noticable. I dont think any weight reduction is in the plans. Unless i start trying to get better city mpg. I would love a set of Chrome Moon rims, i really think they would cut down on chopping up the air around the wheels. Also look awsome.

[Pu241]

Think you got a good shot at it, best I've seen is 56 mpg but I was on an interstate so had to stay around 60 in a 65 zone, and coasted when possible, drafted behind truck when possible.

I don't think aero mods will be needed if you can keep it near 50 MPH, see tominMO's test run data.
Yeah, it's 5 mph below the speed limit and someone will likely get their panties in a twist but your going for a record, so some pain has got to be expected.

max pressure in your tires
Minimize idling
install a block heater with a timer to preheat the engine
Block off grill is easy, but watch your temp gauge, should be Ok, but keep an eye on it
find out why you need to pump the gas to restart your carbie
Might try 89 octane, it's good for about 3 mpg in my EFI festy
leaver earier for work so you can go slower, remember speed kills..........MPG!

[Ephet]

You can do it!!!!!

[deathegg]

Yes, depending on how extreme you go with your mods, you can probably get to 60mpg.
My DeathEgg is also an '88 carb 4-speed, and I got a high of 57 mpg years ago, going a constant 55 MPH on a trip. The trip was Pittsburgh to Germantown, MD - 55 all the way (this is back when the national speed limit was 55). Made just one stop outside of Breezewood PA for a bathroom stop; other than that it was non-stop, and I was lightly loaded with a suitcase.

How much money are you willing to spend on mods? After a while, you may end up spending so much on mods that you negate the improvements in MPG's, unless of course you're doing it just to do it.

First start with the basics, a really good tune-up, tire pressures, etc, and go from there.

As far as I know, the '88 carb Festy is 58 h.p., not 62.

[drddan]

Here are a couple links to Tom's MPG runs:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...t=mileage+runs

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...t=mileage+runs

[Darlo]

I am getting pretty close to 60mpg on the hwy, as my combined sometimes is above 50mpg.

I drive VERY grandma-like though! I drive a maximum of 60mph, and normally dont exceed 55mph. I also anticipate lights and stop signs, as well as slow starts. I keep my tires inflated to 40psi, and always make sure my oil is topped up (have a small leak).

Also, to give a (small) boost in mpg, you can buy "lucas" additive, but it will not save you the money you pay for it in gas........BUT, if the point is to break the 60mpg barrier, this may be the ticket.

Also, take off your outside mirror(s) and install parabolic ones on the inside, and buy yourself a oversized rearview mirror for extra saftey.

Take a look at my fuelly page to see what mpg I get if you like.....by clicking on the link below my posts.....

Good luck.

[TominMO]

I've gotten 58.5 MPG @ 55 MPH on a stock Festiva. Add a rear spoiler and a front air dam and I'm sure you can make it!

[jesteratc]

Pu241: I suppose since im going for all out in the first ill do some modifications,
1. Psi the tires to the max on the sidewall.
2. Idiling there should be none, its i believe a 40 mile loop, ill be going down the highway, then turning around and filling up at the same station. About 1.5 miles of town driving from fill up to fill up.
3. ill do the test as close to 50mph as possible.

Ephet: Thanks for the support.

Deathegg: Im not spending anything on mods lol. Ever. I just like driving it the way it is, and fixing stuff when it brakes. If i cant hit it at 50mph, ill try for 40 lol. and then lower. Just sucks cause it will take longer each time. I am planning on putting something in the window saying Testing in Progress, keep back 100Ft lol. Just so people dont ride up on me.

TominMO: Looks like your the one to beat. Although i dont know if you can call it a contest, because unless i travel at your exact mpg and same test run, they wouldnt be the same.

Thanks everyone. Just need to pick a time of night to go do this. Im thinking Late because the less traffic the better. I dont want a cop pulling me over for going to slow. Haha, that would be a funny ticket.

[TominMO]

Pu241: I suppose since im going for all out in the first ill do some modifications,
1. Psi the tires to the max on the sidewall.
2. Idiling there should be none, its i believe a 40 mile loop, ill be going down the highway, then turning around and filling up at the same station. About 1.5 miles of town driving from fill up to fill up.
3. ill do the test as close to 50mph as possible.

Deathegg: Im not spending anything on mods lol. Ever. I just like driving it the way it is, and fixing stuff when it brakes. If i cant hit it at 50mph, ill try for 40 lol. and then lower. Just sucks cause it will take longer each time. I am planning on putting something in the window saying Testing in Progress, keep back 100Ft lol. Just so people dont ride up on me.

TominMO: Looks like your the one to beat. Although i dont know if you can call it a contest, because unless i travel at your exact mpg and same test run, they wouldnt be the same.

Thanks everyone. Just need to pick a time of night to go do this. Im thinking Late because the less traffic the better. I dont want a cop pulling me over for going to slow. Haha, that would be a funny ticket.

I did my runs on Sunday mornings a little after dawn, for minimum traffic.
At 45 MPH I got 62.5 MPG.
40 miles is a very short loop; more chance of discrepancies when filling the tank before and after. I was criticized for only using an 85-mile loop.
Good luck!

[bhazard]

40 miles isn't enough period. Do your loop til you're down at least a quarter tank.

[doylerl]

Back when I first got my 89' carbie 4spd, I was getting close to 50 around town. It is down right now, so I can't do a highway test at the moment. Let us know how you do.

[eurotiva]

Just sell me your car. Now.