Bad MPG myths and truths
02-05-2009, 12:36 PM
#11
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: austin,TX
Posts: 2,084
Hear is somthing I always wondered about http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/ they say it enhances gas quality fuel for better mpg and power blah blah blah. What do you guys think.
02-05-2009, 03:40 PM
#13
SVT Section Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Burnt Hills, NY
Posts: 15,601
yes, 65-75 is a big mpg difference. My families 2003 pilot went form 18mpg to 22mpg when we dropped to 65 for a trip.
Trip with the mustang, did 75 down to PA- 370 miles. got 26mpg. same trip back, 67mph. 30mpg. late fall, so no ac or anything.
once you go over 65ish, you hit a wall and it gets exponentially harder to push faster through it.
Trip with the mustang, did 75 down to PA- 370 miles. got 26mpg. same trip back, 67mph. 30mpg. late fall, so no ac or anything.
once you go over 65ish, you hit a wall and it gets exponentially harder to push faster through it.
02-05-2009, 05:28 PM
#14
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 915
Im actually happy with my mileage right now, but it was just services and had new oil filter, air filter, and everything was clean, I drive just to and from school and to and from work and I got 22mpg for the 3/4 tank i used. It is a V6 5 speed, so Meh, seems ok.
One question though, I just got new tires, could that help mileage?
One question though, I just got new tires, could that help mileage?
02-05-2009, 11:24 PM
#16
MF Staff Snitch
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Scotia, NY
Posts: 7,035
02-06-2009, 12:27 AM
#17
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,999
The speed thing depends on the car/truck. Every car will have a speed where it gets it's best mileage but after that it will fall and it will fall exponentially. Especially if you have a vehicle that is not shaped well for cutting air. For example a truck will have a bigger lose in mpg at high speed than a pointy car like a Corvette.
The stereo thing. Sure the numbers will be small. Most likely decimal places small in term of MPG. In the real world. Enjoy your tunes, there is 100 other ways to increase your mpg without driving in silence.
As for the "baddest stereo" not making a difference. I used to have a banging system in a Dodge Shadow. Those cars had big sensitive tachometers. The car could sit there idling rock steady at 900rpm. Then throw it some bass notes and it would fall 100-200rpm, computer would compensate, raise it, alt would lower it, comp raise it. Turn the volume back down and it's back to a steady 900rpm. The AC, headlights or rear defrost which are heavy loads could not jump the idle like that. Pretty sure that's a decent alt load. So I conclude yes. Pumping subs will definately lower mpg.
Things to avoid. Don't idle the car. That is 0 MPG and that takes a toll on your average. You will have to drive many miles like a grandma to get some of that back.
The stereo thing. Sure the numbers will be small. Most likely decimal places small in term of MPG. In the real world. Enjoy your tunes, there is 100 other ways to increase your mpg without driving in silence.
As for the "baddest stereo" not making a difference. I used to have a banging system in a Dodge Shadow. Those cars had big sensitive tachometers. The car could sit there idling rock steady at 900rpm. Then throw it some bass notes and it would fall 100-200rpm, computer would compensate, raise it, alt would lower it, comp raise it. Turn the volume back down and it's back to a steady 900rpm. The AC, headlights or rear defrost which are heavy loads could not jump the idle like that. Pretty sure that's a decent alt load. So I conclude yes. Pumping subs will definately lower mpg.
Things to avoid. Don't idle the car. That is 0 MPG and that takes a toll on your average. You will have to drive many miles like a grandma to get some of that back.
02-06-2009, 12:30 PM
#18
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,775
Here's the question; how long is idling actually idling?? I very often wait for people when picking them up...usually I shut the car off but I have a sneAking suspicion that I'm (sometimes) losing gas by shutting it off. How many minutes do you have to idle for it to be a loss versus if you would have shut he car off? My usual waits are about three minutes so should I shut it off/start it up or would I save by simply leaving it running?
