MPG FACTS - ONLY

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12-27-2006, 01:29 PM

#81

black_sand_box

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Join Date: May 2006

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I check my milage everytime I fill up. the best I've ever had is 31mpg. I usually get between 25 and 26(very disappointing).

12-27-2006, 05:55 PM

#82

joffficer

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Yeah... doing the math makes me cry! If I got back to my old average of 32mpg I'd save a 124 gallons or about $300 a year!

I guess I'll try easing up on the throttle. Please don't slame into me NJ/PA!

12-27-2006, 08:42 PM

#83

BoxOffice

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Quote:

Originally Posted by vintage42

Quote:

Originally Posted by joffficer

.. The 1.5 doesn't seem nearly as efficent at 4000rpm (75-80mph)then driving around town at 3-3500k. Mine is an '06 5spd, with sythetic oil,... Steel wheels...

The engine is just as efficient at high rpm, but it takes more power and fuel to go fast. The wind resistance increases with the square of the speed. It takes almost twice the power to go 80 mph as 60 mph. I have gotten 42 mpg on two tanks when driving at a steady 60. I have not done a tank at 80 mph, but I expect the mileage would drop to the high 20s. (Like you, I have an '06 manual, steel wheels, synthetic oil in engine and trans.)

Exactly. I also have an '06 manual, but with 15" alloys, 28-29 lbs. pressure in the tires. I average 33 -35mpg commuting in Los Angeles, without really trying - though I'm not flooring it from every start, either. When I've tried, I've gotten a best of 39mpg commuting! Not bad for a car EPA rated at 33mpg city...
MPG definitely falls off dramatically over about 70mph. As vintage42 mentioned, wind resistance inceases by square. Think of it this way in mph: a speed of 50 x 50 = 250; a speed of just 70 x 70 = 490, or nearly DOUBLE that of 50! Add to that a gearbox that is obviously set up for city driving only (read: geared WAY too low) so you're taching at around 4,000rpm at only 75 or so, and your mileage quickly goes down the drain the faster you drive. In the few instances that I'm able to go 70 - 80 mph commuting, I always try to keep it closer to a max of 65 - 70; I can tell a big difference in my mileage when I don't.