new here, aveo driving tips please?

micman · #1 07-07-2011, 12:14 AM

I recently bought a used aveo and became curious how I could squeeze more FE out of it. I read the article floating out there called 101+ hypermiling tips and I'm trying to implement them where possible, but I was hoping for some advice specific to my car.

It's an 04 Chevy Aveo, 4 spd auto (had no choice), 71000 miles, tires inflated to max sidewall, going to remove the spare once I pay up on my roadside assistance service. So far I've been driving very lightfooted, keeping the speed to posted mph or lower and trying not to rev over 2.3k rpm during acceleration.

Some of what I've read seems to suggest I might be accelerating too slowly, is that true for this car? If the speed limit is 45, I find myself struggling to keep it legal as that seems to be the exact speed fourth gear kicks in, no sooner. So I'm usually straddling 46-47 in that case, depending on the color of the next light ahead.

Oh btw I'm in Michigan. The roads here suck, no matter which route I take.

Lastly, I need to teach my wife how to drive all over again. It took me about 6-8 years of driving to realize that I can't drive aggressively anymore, but she hasn't quite gotten to that point herself. How can I kindly and gently help her break aggressive driving habits?

Sorry, this is a lot in one post. I should shut up and just keep reading the wisdom and advice you guys have already written elsewhere...

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #2 07-07-2011, 07:18 AM

I can't answer questions about the Aveo, but I can make a suggestion for your wife: stick to the Free Money.

People often prioritize the following over fuel economy:
- Getting to their destination
- Being comfortable
- Being safe
- Not inconveniencing other people

So, the key to getting them to improve their fuel economy is to focus on the good habits that don't impact their priorities. Those are the Free Money:
- Pay attention: loss of concentration can put you and others in danger
- Leave space in front to the car ahead. It helps you avoid sudden braking and the acceleration that follows it
- Don't rush to red lights
- Use light timing/smart braking to convert reds to greens
- Don't creep in traffic: move a minimum of 1 car length at a time.
- Try to keep rolling in traffic instead of doing start-stop.
- Be ready to go at traffic lights - every idle moment is a waste of time and gas.
- Also, when the light goes green, don't just react to the car in front, be sure that the whole line is moving before you hit the gas.
- When there's a fresh breeze lower windows at lower speeds instead of using A/C. (If she has loose, long hair she can use passenger side + rear driver side to cut the hair movement).

Technique	Selling point
Concentration, buffer	Safety
Not rushing to a red	Obviousness
Light timing/smart braking	Time saving
Avoiding start-stop and creep	Smooth ride
Being ready to move	Courtesy
Lowering windows	Comfort

I think I've persuaded my wife on the Free Money. Some of it she did anyway: paying attention, leaving a safe buffer and she never rushed to reds.

Interstate speed was cut just because the Prius sounds like it's in pain when its working hard.

PaleMelanesian · #3 07-07-2011, 08:32 AM

Accelerating an automatic is tricky. My experience is in the Odyssey. Ideally you want higher load and lower rpm than the car will allow. I balance this by letting it go up to 2000 rpm (may be higher with your small engine, but that's the point where it shifts in each gear). I use moderate throttle but limit it based on the rpm. If I'm pushing it past the 2000 mark I back it off a little.

I think you're doing the right thing to hold it at the lowest top-gear speed. You're probably the only one close to the legal limit so I wouldn't worry too much about one or two mph.

ILAveo · #4 07-09-2011, 11:18 AM

I don't know about your Aveo, but the throttle in ours is set so that you are running at wide open throttle (WOT) when the pedal is depressed about halfway. The computer appears to use inefficient mixtures/timing when anywhere near WOT (ie. it seems to choose the trade off for power over efficiency at a lower throttle level than most cars) , so I try to stay away from heavy pedal pressure--the scan gauge helps. I don't know much about the AT Aveo, but you probably also want to make sure the torque converter stays looked up as much as possible.

micman · #5 07-09-2011, 08:35 PM

I really appreciate all the advice.

I didn't know that about the wot after about half throttle. I've been trying to keep it at less than a quarter ish throttle (I can't be exact, don't have a SG). I also have to share the car with my wife for the next few weeks at least, so that's why I was asking how to teach less aggressive driving

There is a bunch of maintenance yet to be done, hub bearings, sway bar links, valve cover, synthetic oil, spark plugs, other small things. I'm assuming I'll be getting a lot better mileage after all that is done.

I've only had this car for a couple of weeks, but I'm already loving the experience of learning to hypermile with it. I hope I can learn a lot from this site and maybe spread the word about hypermiling to my friends and family.

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #6 07-09-2011, 11:15 PM

Oh, on Free Money I forgot the two prerequisites: pay attention and leave a buffer to the car in front. I've added them to my post above.

micman · #7 07-22-2011, 12:16 AM

I can tell it's going to take a while, but I think I'm getting some advice to sink in. Her last tank's average mpg was up about 4 mpg. She said she stopped accelerating as quickly, and she occasionally uses neutral when stopped at lights. Now all she needs is the new Ford Fiesta!