It would be funnier if it weren't so true...

There have been so many threads on mpg lately that I felt it might be worth sharing a few things which I've learned from 100,000's of miles experience and from observing the fuel computers in my DD and former motorcoaches, both locally and over the road. These include generalities, subtleties and the logical as well as the absurdly obvious, any of which may or may not prove out in every vehicle.

First, as to the car itself, it should go without saying that a healthy engine with a good tune will be more efficient, but it's just as important that the suspension be in good condition and the wheels all be pointing the right direction, as excessive tire scrub due to worn components and/or improper alignment can be equivalent to riding the brakes. I'm talking the potential of several mpg here. Low tire inflation hurts, too. However, beyond whatever measures you may take to improve your vehicle's efficiency, the driver also obviously has a large influence on mileage, and it is to that which I wish, even more so, to speak.

1) No matter what vehicle one drives, when the engine is running and you aren't moving you're getting 0 mpg, which is infinitely inefficient. You certainly don't want to run red lights or stop signs, but getting caught by them significantly reduces fuel economy. (...and those soccer moms who sit idling for hours each week while waiting for the kids, even when the weather is temperate, just drive me nuts.)

2) Driving slowly does not necessarily save fuel. Generally, with respect to posted speed limits, the higher mph one averages during a tank of fuel the higher will be the average mpg for that tank. So, don't "waste" available mph by driving below the limit. I'm not condoning speeding, but if your local authorities tend to tolerate a few miles per hour, it is well worth using a portion of that tolerance, remaining aware that there always seems to be at least one "Barney Fife" in every community. Another way to up that average speed is to take corners at higher speeds, without crossing the line into recklessness, of course. (I try not to cause the tires to complain out loud within earshot of others.)

3) Timid acceleration does not necessarily save fuel. Not including WOT, tho acceleration isn't ever directly good for mileage, it is usually better to spend less time getting up to speed where mpg is higher than to slowly advance to such speeds. For example; if you get 4 mpg accelerating for 5 sec to a speed where you get 20 mpg, that's better than getting 6 mpg accelerating for 10 sec to reach that same speed. Again, this serves to raise your average speed. And, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that even 1 mpg accelerating is better than 0 mpg sitting still.

4) In hilly terrain, gravity can be your friend or your enemy. Learn to coast effectively by utilizing downhill momentum to advantage. Don't work to hold an exact speed by always braking on the downhill and always throttling on the upside. If there's not enough momentum to coast back up to the next peak at speed, it's better to mildly accelerate on the down slope to add momentum than to wait until momentum has been lost. IMHO an attentive driver can achieve better economy without resorting to the cruise control in the hills, but don't make others (especially truckers) have to pass and re-pass you over and over.

5) On long trips, the less aerodynamic your vehicle the more it pays to draft, but contrary to what you may see in NastyCar you don't have to tailgate to benefit. If you do latch onto a big rig, don't go to sleep and don't do something stupid which surprises them or puts them in a bind.

Finally, IMHO I'd rather ration quantity rather than quality, as there's just so much you can do before all the fun gets sucked out of it. So, no matter how bad your mileage, consider the expense of time spent driving your Vette(s) as coming out of your entertainment budget and enjoy that time without hesitation. Don't guilt trip over mashing the loud pedal every once in a while, and save driving like a miser all the time for your DD.

Hope that stirs the pot...

 

Hmmmm.... In other words....Use common sense!

Good tips, thanks for sharing.

 

From what I've seen, common sense isn't so common these days.

 

I get a kick out of my drive to work every day. I come down a city road for several miles, and as soon as a see a red light ahead, I let off the gas, even if I'm WAY back from the light. People will pull out around me and dive in front just to jam on the brakes at the red light, where I coasted and often don't even have to stop. That right there would be my #1 tip for saving gas.

 

C34ME - I do exactly the same thing. Especially in the Vette when there is a four lane road and people go past me doing 60 only to slam on the brakes for the light. Tnx for the tips!

 

Me too! I commute 105 miles per day in my LS1 Camaro and typically I used to get 24-25 mpg, all city driving. By coasting in gear and watching the walk signals, and doing less braking, and non spirited driving I'm up to 27-28 mpg on my last 4 tanks. I also switched to mid-grade gas.