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Old 11-07-2007, 12:29 AM
zo6 2 hch zo6 2 hch is offline
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Real Name: vulcan
Hybrids: 07 HCH
Posts: 39
Default Re: Poor Gas Mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by rboerger View Post
Sorry to say but EPA estimates are based on a set of driving conditions totally foreign to a lot people. No A/C, slow acceleration, not a lot of stop-and-go. If you are driving your car on a lot of 5 mile (or less) trips on surface roads with lots of stop lights you are going to be hard pressed to get 40 mpg without making some accommodations to the way you drive.

However, your mileage will improve somewhat as you break-in the car over the next year. If you are getting gas from Joe's Cheapest Gas Co. you might want to try a brand that offers "Top Tier" gas. It seems to be getting me a couple extra MPG. No need to put in premium which might actually result in poorer mileage in this application.

The whole purpose of auto stop is to save gas, so not "creeping forward" unless it's absolutely necessary will help you.

I put 44 psi in my tires, which they are rated for and which also helps, especially when it starts to get cool.
DO NOT PUT 44 PSI IN YOUR TIRES. The 44 psi limit on the sidewall is not the safe limit to put into the tire but rather a psi burst pressure limit, as you will gain about 4 psi after a certain length of time on the freeway as the tire warms up to 100 degrees or so, air expands with heat.

If you put 44 psi in your tires not only are you going to get accelerated uneven tire wear down the middle but also if you make the slightest mistake and hit a curb at even 15 mph you risk exploding a tire.

I say no more than 36 psi, 38 being the limit.