Fuel Economy

[petesimac]

Originally Posted by BailOut

Due to my usage of advanced efficiency techniques my mileage in the city is the same as it is on the highway. In the city I have to accelerate many times over short distances due to stop lights and such but that's about the only time my engine is actually running. On the highway the driving is much lighter on the throttle (lots of pulse and glide, never over 55 MPH, etc.) but my engine is running about 98% of the time in order to maintain a speed.

The two sets of techniques end up at the same mileage every time.

Okay, Bailout, please to be explaining the techniques for city driving. Now that school has started for my kids, I do a lot of short distance driving with loads of stop signs, traffic, short red lights, etc. Only once with predominantly city driving have I been able to get 34 mpg (note, I've had no problem getting the high 40s for hwy driving), and the current tank looks like it'll end up at around 31 mpg. So, please, tips on how to get this number up. Thanks!

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by petesimac

Okay, Bailout, please to be explaining the techniques for city driving. Now that school has started for my kids, I do a lot of short distance driving with loads of stop signs, traffic, short red lights, etc. Only once with predominantly city driving have I been able to get 34 mpg (note, I've had no problem getting the high 40s for hwy driving), and the current tank looks like it'll end up at around 31 mpg. So, please, tips on how to get this number up. Thanks!

Please see the stickied efficiency thread at http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5979 as it covers everything I do. To be more specific regarding city driving I:

- Make use of my block heater every chance I get, carrying an extension cord to plug in at the homes of friends and family when we visit. I also have the ability to plug it in at work. Between this and errand organization it's a rare day when I do a cold start.

- Never speed.

- Never run the a/c, opting instead for window tint, a sun shade, window deflectors, keeping the windows cracked a bit, and a homemade ice vest for the truly miserable times.

- Never get above 2,000 RPM in the city.

- Use the lowest gear possible to maintain a speed when needed (i.e. 4th gear at 25 MPH).

- FAS a whole lot, basically slowly accelerating to the desired speed between known stops (i.e. stop signs, long lights, etc.) and then cutting the engine ASAP and coasting a great distance to the stop.

- Keep the engine off at stop lights, construction stops, drive-thru windows, etc.

- Park way out in the parking lots so I don't waste fuel looking for a space, and can FAS all the way to a space and park face-out.

- Use the DWB technique in combination with DFCO and P&G or FAS/P&G wherever possible to deal with red lights or lines of traffic.

- Combine all my errands into one trip, starting with the furthest one and ending closest to home.

- Constantly assess the road ahead for several blocks in order to have the time to make any needed lane or speed changes slowly, deliberately, and well ahead of time.

- Use my SGII to help keep myself dialed in.

- Try to stay informed of road work/construction areas and route well around them.


That's about it. Now you know why I say that, in the city, my engine is only running about 30% of the time. I know it sounds like a lot but by adopting and becoming comfortable with just one technique at a time, over a few weeks it all becomes second nature.

[petesimac]

Yeah, but none of what you've written can account for 20 miles per gallon; is it because my car usually has 3 people in it? Can an extra 200lbs take away 20 mpg? Is there a difference between city driving and CITY driving? I must be missing something. I already do DFCO; I don't FAS, though, although I try to DWB, but on a steep hill going down, you either use the brakes or crash, plus, again, that can't account for 20 mpg. Any thoughts?