Proven MPG's increase technique
May 20, 2007, 05:59 PM
#1
Proven MPG's increase technique
Ok there are many MPG's threads here, but non discuss exactly what how they drive to get those results. You can think of this thread as the how to guide at works for at least one EVO IX owner.
I've tried many different acceleration/cruising methods, even what the owners manual recommends. I did make a few mistakes in the past about driving techniques and best mpg's, because there where other variables that came into play that I didnt account. One of my last posts I described the factory method giving me 28 MPG but it was actually my current method that I will be describing soon. I was logging in the information and made a mistake on the fields I put down. The owners manual acceleration method during normal driving generally gives me about 17-18 mpg, so it is not very affective in raising your mpg's. And the higher rpms you go the lower your MPG's will be in the real world results.
Last few tests that I've done net me 28 mpg each time (miles travelled devided by gallons filled to full tank). Here is the lay out:
Acceleration:
When accelerating, give enough throttle to keep the boost needle around the 30 to 15 cm/Hg vacuum range. I'm using the factory gauge so for the after markets gauges you might have to convert those number to in/Hg. The acceleration should be smooth and avoid large throttle variations unless your lowering the throttle position.
Rpms/shifts:
While accelerating you should shift at 2,250 rpms (half way point between 2 and 2.5k rpms). Try to make your shifts quick and smooth so you keep the acceleration momentum between the shifts. Now I'm not telling you to shift hard and fast where most people get the diff slap, but quick and smooth shifts that will reduce the passengers heads from moving much.
Cruise:
You want to keep the rpms as low as possible while maintaining speed with the lowest throttle and highest vacuum in the boost gauge. An example would be arount the 1.6k to 1.9k rpms range. Usually after 32-35 mph is when I shift to 5th gear for cruising. If your not accelerating then keep the rpms as low as possible but not below 1.5k rpms because it becomes a bit too much load for the motor to handle efficiently.
Another thing you might want to take into account is passengers and extra weight. If you have passengers in your car you might want to adjust cruising rpms a bit higher, but nothing too drastic. Most of my tests were done with out passengers and 80% city driving but away from heavy traffic. Also I have mixed in some WOT runs, but not very much. (maybe 5 runs maximum) Each time I've gotten between 26-28 mpg. (depending on amount of passengers and WOT runs)
I have not done much highway driving to give the best driving technique for highways. I would have to fill up and hit the highway throughout most of the tank to give the most accurate results. But for what I did drive, I kept the speed around 60-65 mph in my last gear (5th).
Feel free to ask questions or discuss in this thread of your opinions.
I've tried many different acceleration/cruising methods, even what the owners manual recommends. I did make a few mistakes in the past about driving techniques and best mpg's, because there where other variables that came into play that I didnt account. One of my last posts I described the factory method giving me 28 MPG but it was actually my current method that I will be describing soon. I was logging in the information and made a mistake on the fields I put down. The owners manual acceleration method during normal driving generally gives me about 17-18 mpg, so it is not very affective in raising your mpg's. And the higher rpms you go the lower your MPG's will be in the real world results.
Last few tests that I've done net me 28 mpg each time (miles travelled devided by gallons filled to full tank). Here is the lay out:
Acceleration:
When accelerating, give enough throttle to keep the boost needle around the 30 to 15 cm/Hg vacuum range. I'm using the factory gauge so for the after markets gauges you might have to convert those number to in/Hg. The acceleration should be smooth and avoid large throttle variations unless your lowering the throttle position.
Rpms/shifts:
While accelerating you should shift at 2,250 rpms (half way point between 2 and 2.5k rpms). Try to make your shifts quick and smooth so you keep the acceleration momentum between the shifts. Now I'm not telling you to shift hard and fast where most people get the diff slap, but quick and smooth shifts that will reduce the passengers heads from moving much.
Cruise:
You want to keep the rpms as low as possible while maintaining speed with the lowest throttle and highest vacuum in the boost gauge. An example would be arount the 1.6k to 1.9k rpms range. Usually after 32-35 mph is when I shift to 5th gear for cruising. If your not accelerating then keep the rpms as low as possible but not below 1.5k rpms because it becomes a bit too much load for the motor to handle efficiently.
Another thing you might want to take into account is passengers and extra weight. If you have passengers in your car you might want to adjust cruising rpms a bit higher, but nothing too drastic. Most of my tests were done with out passengers and 80% city driving but away from heavy traffic. Also I have mixed in some WOT runs, but not very much. (maybe 5 runs maximum) Each time I've gotten between 26-28 mpg. (depending on amount of passengers and WOT runs)
I have not done much highway driving to give the best driving technique for highways. I would have to fill up and hit the highway throughout most of the tank to give the most accurate results. But for what I did drive, I kept the speed around 60-65 mph in my last gear (5th).
Feel free to ask questions or discuss in this thread of your opinions.
May 20, 2007, 06:29 PM
#5
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Thats pretty much how I drive to get the best MPG, unless some ricer doesn't really understand what an EVO is...people around here think its like a regular sedan 
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May 20, 2007, 07:38 PM
#13
the way you of driving you sugested in impossible. come on shifting at 2k? you cant even keep up with traffic shiffiting that slow. 60mph on the freeway??? semi trucks on the right lane drive faster than that.
lets just face it the evo is a 16-19mpg car.
lets just face it the evo is a 16-19mpg car.
May 20, 2007, 08:19 PM
#14
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All well and good if you want to drive like a grandma, but I just can't keep my foot out of it at least a little bit when I drive. Oh and a top speed of 60-65 is just not possible unless I was driving in an actual city in stop and go traffic 
Anyways, for those interested, I have begun recording my mpg so I can do comparisons between stock, then no spoiler or the low lancer spoiler, tuned, and anything else I can think of that I do. Just give me a year or so to get enough data to make worth looking at 
Although I have been filling up every 4-5 days it seems 
so maybe it will take less time.
Anyways, for those interested, I have begun recording my mpg so I can do comparisons between stock, then no spoiler or the low lancer spoiler, tuned, and anything else I can think of that I do. Just give me a year or so to get enough data to make worth looking at Although I have been filling up every 4-5 days it seems so maybe it will take less time.
May 20, 2007, 08:21 PM
#15
I did try that, and it gave me 22-23 mpg.
Because the Evo IX looks better, handles better, accelerates faster, and has more room.
I can only afford 1 car and I want to make it the best of both worlds, quick with good gas mileage.
Not 2k but just a tad bit more, 2.25-2.3, basically over 2 but under 2.5 rpms. Trust me, those couple hundred rpms make a difference.
And yes the car accelerates just fine and no hold in traffic. On the highway I drove 60-65 mph, dont forget the speed limit is 55. Plus semi trucks have a speed governor so they cant go too much over 60. I cant remember the exact speed but its under 70mph.
Also dont forget most of the streets speed limits are 35 to 40 mph. You dont need to accelerate ***** out to reach those speeds at a short time.
I can only afford 1 car and I want to make it the best of both worlds, quick with good gas mileage.
And yes the car accelerates just fine and no hold in traffic. On the highway I drove 60-65 mph, dont forget the speed limit is 55. Plus semi trucks have a speed governor so they cant go too much over 60. I cant remember the exact speed but its under 70mph.
Also dont forget most of the streets speed limits are 35 to 40 mph. You dont need to accelerate ***** out to reach those speeds at a short time.
Last edited by BluEVOIX; May 20, 2007 at 08:25 PM.