hypermiling in my Echo

[Pete]

Just got back from a trip, California to Texas and back (3000 miles)in my Toyota Echo. I used some of the hypermiling techniques discussed in earlier threads (lower speed, coasting, drafting, better gas, high tire pressures, logical parking, etc).

The Echo is a car with highway miles listed at around 40 mpg. Using the hypermiling techniques I averaged better than 55 mpg and got 59.86 mpg on my best tankfull.

Without a doubt dropping the speed to 60 mph was the biggest factor. Takes a little longer to get there, but the time passed quickly watching my fuel gauge not move.

They no longer make the Echo but the same 1.5 liter engine is in the Yaris.

 

[laurence]

Nice job! I only squeezed an extra 10% out of my Volvo, so you really dedicated yourself.

 

[jambo101]

Some time back in 01 i saw the writing on the wall concerning gas prices so we traded the minivan for an 01 Echo and have probably saved enough in gas to cover the cost of the Echo,last week the Echo got a new stable mate an 08 Yaris sedan.With gas prices only going to rise i wont even look at anything that doesnt get 35mpg
Daughter is happy with the hand me down Echo

 

[Kronk]

Lemme see...

3000 miles @ 55 mpg (at 60 mph) @ $4.00 gas = $218 for 50 hours
3000 miles @ 40 mpg (at 72 mph) @ $4.00 gas = $300 for 41:40 hours

If all of the mileage savings were attributable to the speed decrease, then you saved $82 at the cost of over 8 hours of driving.

Personally, I'll continue to drive faster, since I don't need to earn $10 per hour driving slowly.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

Well that and drafting should be left to the Nascar drivers

 

[Pete]

Some nice math there Kronk, thanks. I guess I'll need to find some way to factor in the added safety, increase in enjoyed scenery, engine longevity gains of driving slower, and subtraction of more pitstop times. Besides the fact that I have all the time in the world now.

I suppose if I factor in the possibility of flying, I'm really getting ripped off.

 

[TromboneAl]

Tell me more about which techniques you used. The best we've done is 48 MPG with our '02 Echo.

We drive 55 around home, but go 65 on long trips. I don't mind wasting 10 minutes here or there, but on a trip, I want to get it over with. We still get 44 MPG at 65 MPH on a trip.

What year do you have? Here are the published figures for recent Echos and Yarises:

Echo/Yaris Mileage (City, Combined, Highway)

2001: 32, 35, 38
2002: 32,35,38
2003: 33,36,39
2004: 33,36,39
2005: 33,36,39

2007: 34,36,39 Y
2008: 29,31,35 Y

 

[Pete]

It really was quite mysterious. The best I'd ever done locally here in California was 48. My tire pressures were at 45, I used supreme (like I always do, .15 cents on 4 dollars doesn't seem like that much), I drove at 60, coasted down every hill possible that would keep my speed up, drafted to the left and back of some big rigs (not too often though)(felt safe there). I kind of let my car tell me what is a comfortable speed. I can tell if there is any strain during winds or climbs, I back off and let the car sort of pick the speed (something between 55 and 60).

I would drive 150 miles before the gauge would break off full.

There is ethanol and other clean gas stuff locally in Calif. I didn't notice any of that stuff on the pumps I encountered in AZ, NM or TX until I got close to Dallas. Maybe the gas formulation was some of the cause.

I drove 65 to 70 for a while and the mileage dropped back to 48. That is why I attributed most of the gain to speed.

My Echo is a 2001 with about 100,000 miles on it.

 

[jambo101]

If all of the mileage savings were attributable to the speed decrease, then you saved $82 at the cost of over 8 hours of driving.

Sounds good to me saving $82 every 8hrs of driving,imagine what that adds up to over a year.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

You might want to try it with regular instead of "premium". Theres no benefit in terms of performance or gas mileage from using higher octane fuel unless your engine demands it.

In fact, higher octane fuel has a lower energy potential than lower octane fuel.

 

[Dave J]

Sounds good to me saving $82 every 8hrs of driving,imagine what that adds up to over a year.

I think you misunderstood. Not savings of $82 for "every" 8 hours but $82 for an extra 8 hours on a 42 hour trip(turning it into 50 hours).

 

[jambo101]

I think you misunderstood. Not savings of $82 for "every" 8 hours but $82 for an extra 8 hours on a 42 hour trip(turning it into 50 hours).

Math has never been a strong point in my life

 

[Bimmerbill]

I'm trying some techniques in my VW Jetta diesel to see if I see increased MPG. I usually get 47-48MPG. I've been coasting a lot, trying to not use my brakes if possible. If I see a light/STOP sign, I coast as much as I can to slow down.

But, its summer and 95 here, so I've been using the AC. Not sure if I'll break even in the MPG department.

 

[slazenger]

I have a small car too that I tried some hypermilling techniques on. Although I gained about 5mpg in the city doing a full tank that way, it sure did take away all of the fun that I have driving the car aggressively.

I think I'll presume I did enough by just purchasing a small car, but still enjoy driving it (aggressively).

 

[MikeD]

Somebody driving a small car aggressively? Wow, you don't see that everyday...Oh, wait...

Mike D.

 

[Poundkey]

I agree with CFB that regular gas should work fine. I've noticed a 5 to 10% mileage drop with ethanol blends. The stuff is a little cheaper at the pump so maybe that's a wash.
Just curious....what weight and type of oil are you using? Dino or synthetic?

 

[ERD50]

I agree with CFB that regular gas should work fine. I've noticed a 5 to 10% mileage drop with ethanol blends. The stuff is a little cheaper at the pump so maybe that's a wash.
Just curious....what weight and type of oil are you using? Dino or synthetic?

Seems I've read that premium fuel can improve the mpg slightly (assuming your car can take either), but I'm also guessing that that is only if you drive somewhat aggressively. Here's the thought process:

A) Premium fuel helps reduce knocking.
B) Knocking tends to occur under hard acceleration.
C) Modern engines will adjust the timing (reduce power) if they detect knocking. Under that condition, premium can provide better power because there is less knocking, so the engine does not cut back power.
D) If you are already driving conservatively, you probably are rarely/never pushing your car into a knocking condition with regular fuel, therefore, premium will be a waste of money.

Does that jibe with other's understanding?

-ERD50

 

[cantlogin]

Seems I've read that premium fuel can improve the mpg slightly (assuming your car can take either), but I'm also guessing that that is only if you drive somewhat aggressively. Here's the thought process:

A) Premium fuel helps reduce knocking.
B) Knocking tends to occur under hard acceleration.
C) Modern engines will adjust the timing (reduce power) if they detect knocking. Under that condition, premium can provide better power because there is less knocking, so the engine does not cut back power.
D) If you are already driving conservatively, you probably are rarely/never pushing your car into a knocking condition with regular fuel, therefore, premium will be a waste of money.

Does that jibe with other's understanding?

-ERD50

I'm no expert but I think your understanding is correct.
Your point D however might be seen differently under some circumstances.
I’ve noticed that with my manual shift transmission using the premium gas allows the use of a higher gear at slower speeds and this seems to have a positive effect on fuel mileage. The effect on the amount of fuel used is not great and is offset by the higher cost but the improved low speed torque provides a much more pleasurable driving experience so I use the 92 AKI fuel.

 

[Pete]

I use regular oil for the moment, but I have switched my other cars to synthetic. I can hear the difference immediately. Wal Mart now sells supertech synthetic for about 13 dollars for 5 quarts. I change my air filter often. I was amazed to see how much air a car draws for each gallon of gas. I have the K+N filter but wasn't totally impressed. It was only the drop in kind. My buddy has the tube kit for his civic and he claims he's getting 5-6 more mpg. I didn't use it on this trip.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I dont think I'd recommend running 87 octane in an engine that demands 91. "Pushing" the engine is irrelevant. Premature detonation can occur at any engine load and may be inaudible. The "knock" or "ping" that you can hear is when its become excessive.

Even the inaudible detonation can cause significant engine damage over time and your engine will most likely just retard the engine timing to suit the octane, and that'll reduce your performance and gas mileage.

This is a really poor area to look for a free lunch.

Similarly as I mentioned, running 91 octane in an engine demanding 87 is just a waste of money and may be counterproductive. All octane does is improve burn control and reduces premature detonation. And throws some total energy out the window to get that benefit. So unless you have a high compression engine with tight ignition timing and are getting some performance/mileage benefits from that which demands the 91 octane fuels slower combustion characteristics...

 

[ERD50]

I dont think I'd recommend running 87 octane in an engine that demands 91.

I don't think anyone suggested that. I thought the discussion was whether to use 87 or 91 for improved mpg in an engine that can accept either 87-91 (per the owners manual, to be specific).

I'd word your statement much stronger - if the engine 'demands' 91 (again, per the owner's manual) - DO NOT use 87!

-ERD50

 

[BigMoneyJim]

I saw a news story on hypermiling where the guy pushed his car to start it rolling then jumped in. I'm waiting for a spate of stories on people running themselves over. It's going to happen.

 

[TromboneAl]

I saw that video, and one interesting thing I noticed is the device that lets you monitor mileage. Probably not worth it at $169, but interesting.

ScanGaugeII - Scan Tool + Digital Gauges + Trip Computers

Anyone know how it works? From the site:

Once connected to your vehicles OBDII port, the ScanGaugeII automatically negotiates communications with your cars computer

I guess almost all cars have that port. How do you think they monitor gas usage? Is there a flow meter on the fuel line?

 

[lazygood4nothinbum]

is drafting more rude, dangerous or greedy? i've had speed skaters drafting behind me as i bike along the beach & i don't even like that. try it on my car & you'll be eating my bumper. behind an 18-wheeler? they don't have enough trouble monitoring traffic behind them? have you any idea what those doubled wheels of theirs can pick up off the road and spear right though your car? what does your drafting do for their gas mileage? drafting, another good, gas-saving idea.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Al - as far as I know, all modern cars sold in the US have an ODBII port. The standard defines the physical connector and requires that it be within easy reach under the dash near the steering wheel.

Now as you might expect, nobody can just conform to the standard and be done with it. There are many variations and different manufacturers use different codes. The better and more expensive your 'code reader' is, the smarter it is about working with more of the varieties, explaining the code reports, or allowing you to change or reset values.

Some cars might report gas mileage to some readers. But you'd be wise to make sure a particular scanner is known to work with your particular vehicles and give you the information you expect.