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Hello all,

I've recently been making some changes in my life regarding spending habits and such; I view it as a lifestyle change more than a matter of valuing those pennies I'm saving on fuel. As such, my modified little wagon is going to provide me with thrills in my wallet rather than the seat of my pants! Still, I'd rather shed off speed with tire dust in the corners than with brakes, right? ;)

The car's numbers from the EPA are 25/31 and I have been able to eke out 34 mpg on highway trips according to my new best friend SG-II and my foolhardy DFAS technique. I am, however, discouraged to see most others here managing higher numbers. What perplexes me is that I was able to get an indicated 38 mpg trip in city traffic, stop lights included, by cruising along at 42 mph with barely any throttle in 5th gear, turning a lazy 2000 rpms (I have no mercy on my poor connecting rods, that's for sure). I know this is normal for a hybrid that favors city speeds, but isn't it kind of weird for a gasser?

Regardless, I think hypermiling is a more exciting and safer way to pilot my grocery-getting go-kart. :acool:

pic for views: http://norris.kicks-ass.net/pics/p5/skiracksm.jpg (the rack is off for hypermiling, I swear! :D)

Hi Toucci:

___Welcome aboard! It sounds like the change is going to be a good one and having a great wagon is a benefit! I mean who needs an SUV or P/U when you have a hot wagon :D

___About that 2K at 42? Is she really pushing that high a rev at that low a speed in 5th? That means almost 3K at 60 and that is going to hurt :( It appears as if you had a low profile wheel/tire change from the pic and I have to wonder if that had something to do with it? Either way, we will all work with what you have.

___I assume you already know the caveats of the advanced techniques (brakes, steering, no-accels) already and can move onto what you can do out on the highway. DWL is a must along with huge glides when coming to an off-ramp, traffic back up or toll booth. Those long glides can make or break a tank when out on the highway. Because its San Diego, you may have a lot of backed up traffic or very high speed stuff. If you can adjust your start/leave times to take advantage of the stuff that is still moving but not at crazy speeds, do it. That alone may be your only hope given what I have seen in the LA area let alone some of the backups I have read about in San Diego proper. Just take it slow and easy with that hot looking Mazda and we will get her numbers up as fast as possible ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

toucci,

You hit it right on the head - good fuel economy is also a lifestyle change. Getting a fuel-efficient vehicle is great, but the way it's driven often matters just as much.

Wayne,
Thanks for the welcoming words.

My car's gearing is far from optimal, unfortunately. At 60 mph I am turning 3000 RPM and at 80 it's at 4000 and I'm stuck in open loop. I guess the engineers figured 5th gear zoom-zoom was more important than outright economy :o

The tires are actually slightly larger than the O.E (205/50/16 vs 195/50/16). I have grappled with the prospect of larger tires for a taller realized drive ratio, but the added weight and incorrect odometer readings have discouraged me.

Now, I have one technical question: I have been graced with a 0.6 mile downhill coast from my driveway with the engine off. Immediately afterwards, I enter the freeway. Would it be wise to coast the whole way with a cold engine, starting it up at the bottom and reaching freeway speeds seconds later? Or should I slowly warm it up under load during that time as I have been doing? I'm using synthetic oils and reducing engine wear will take precedence over absolute mileage in my case.

Edit: here is my first result from the commute these past couple days. I filled up early because I have a 2 mile drive over extreme hills to work that I get about 15 mpg doing :(
http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/315.png