Er.... yes.

 

My fuel measuring app doesn't record much fuel usage on tickover. My car drops to 500rpm which I've been told is normal.

One thing I know is the car's MPG drastically drops at over 80mph. (25mpg)

50-60mph seems to be the sweetspot.

The strangest thing is my around town mpg is similar to my motorway figures. I think it's the pulse style around town and the fact it's hard to retain a set speed on the motorway. The drone is so loud you tend to drop to quieter levels then use a lot of fuel getting back up to set speed.

 

The expression 'cruising speed' is of interest here.

It's basically the speed at which the momentum of the car balances retarding forces such as friction, drag etc.

Once you hit that then extra power (and of course fuel) only has to be used to overcome increases in hindrances to forward motion (such as going uphill, a hurricane whipping up etc.).

 

A mistake I was doing was using the throttle all the way to the junctions/traffic lights then braking quite late, I try and come off the throttle early now and potter the last 60 metres or so. Makes a huge difference, it's easier to do when the roads are quiet.

Obviously the coilovers, drop links, stut brace and arb have helped me with corners, I noticed there are huge savings to be had by not slowing down for sweeping bends. The car not wallowing side to side and being more focused must have small impact too.

 

Engine braking was one of the 'arts' I was taught.

Saves fuel, especially with cut-off technology - remember the car ad (BM possibly?) where the car could slow down without using fuel.

Far less wear on brake pads, so they last longer.

I also accelerate quite hard.
Sounds a strange thing to do to save petrol but then it's about how much longer you're able to be in higher gears/less revs/less fuel consumption.

5 seconds of foot to the floor = perhaps 50 seconds more in top.

The ultimate fuel saving technique however is simply to tell the wife and kids to get out and push.

 

I think it was a v-power leaflet that once said to save fuel you have to accelerate briskly to your desired cruising speed.

 

So the people who sell the fuel are telling drivers to accelerate briskly, well if I believed it before I don't now.

 

270 miles from brimmed to light on in my V6 STI with ecutek remap, exhaust and filter, circa 320bhp.

 

+1

I still think there's something in it though.
I've always got the higher end of the mpg range stated for the cars I've had, and new pads perhaps every other year (averaging 10-12k).

 

Struggled to 29mpg this morning on the way to Asda, usually 34-36, I think I took it a bit too steady and didn't get the oil temps up. I usually get to 60 on the first road I get on but only pushed it to 40mph before slowly engine braking the last 100 yards.

 

You get over 30mpg, LPG conversion?

 

Full fat Newage WRX does 30mpg.

Mines a little lighter but I'm still pretty peeved when I can't get over 32mpg.

I have 50% loss on one cylinder and 20% loss on another but I'm not sure if this aids MPG or hinders it.