[tankbeans]

Hello all -

Since I'm still new and haven't had a lot of time to peruse the other threads I thought it might be interesting if, given the ever-increasing and volatile nature of fuel prices, our more experienced members could post their ideas about achieving the best mileage. Whenever I do a search about this I get the stock: slow down, check your tire pressure, reduce weight, A/C versus windows down, etc.

I'm wondering if this would be a good place to discuss shifting points, when to use 6th gear, and other tips that are Forte specific. If this is a bad idea, I apologize for posting

So far I'm returning 26mpg in my LX, but I anticipate it will get slightly better. Unfortunately, I don't have many good tips myself, but am curious to learn.

Thanks,
Tankbeans

 

[arinesmith]

I've found my mpg went up after my first 3000mi oil change. Slight improvement from my SRI. Other answers you will probably get are CAI and less restrictive exhaust.

 

[Bennykins18]

Lol

 

[AutoItKing]

Keep your RPMs below 2000 if at all possible when cruising. Use the highest gear without bogging the engine. Keep a light throttle foot.
Tires inflated to whatever is recommended. Mine are 32PSI.
Windows down vs A/C isn't really relevant anymore since modern A/C compressors are so efficient that they really only rob maybe 5 horsepower. Windows down will increase drag enough that it will require 5 extra horsepower to keep your speed. Whichever is more comfortable for you.

As for physical modifications:
CAI or SRI will increase horsepower and mileage, if you keep the same driving habits. Most people like the sound so much they put their foot down a lot more.
Same thing with an exhaust. But get a full cat-back. Just a muffler won't do much if anything.

 

[tcope]

Issues is... after what you have mentioned, the returns are greatly dimished. Those "stock" answers are stock for a reason.

Not pressing hard on the go peddle is probably the best answer... and the cheapest "mod" (it's 100% free).

CAI and exhaust might be the "coolest" but you are going to getting sound then anything else.

I monitor my OBD results and I can tell you that most of the time the engine is putting out around 20hp. Yes.... 20hp. If it's capable of 130hp (I think I read that) then it's usually operating at around 10% of it's capacity. If mods add 10hp (and this woudl be a whopping number) then you are going to see around 1hp gain under average use. Add this to into your mpg and it's next to nothing. As mentioned WOT and sound are what most mod improve.

Now I've seen a GREAT improvement in mpg using my Forte. Of course I bougth it as a 2nd car to my F150 5.4L truck. I went from 13mph to around 27mpg.

Just my 2 cents.

Edit: I agree with AutoKing.... AC compressor is small and adds next to no drag on the engine. Might amount to 1-2mpg difference.

 

[tankbeans]

Hello all -

So far I'd like to say thank you for the responses. I guess the main reason I was thinking about this is that I've been reading around, and asking around, to find out best practices for good mileage. One thing I've seen is to keep the revs around 2500 in order to keep the engine working at 30% capacity, and this sounds strange since I've heard lower revs whenever possible.

I'm also still working out when to use 6th. Some say highway only, some say whenever you can run the car without lugging it. I can run it as low as 45 mph in 6th, but maybe that reduces mileage instead of improving? I'm not sure which to believe. This is my first manual, so I'm in the middle of a learning curve and look to those with more experience in order to avoid making bone-headed moves.

I try to follow the stock recommendations as much as possible and wonder what others are doing to maximize their economy.

Once again thanks. I don't want to sound like a dip.

Tank

 

[AutoItKing]

The number one best thing you can do is keep a light throttle foot. That will give you the biggest increase in economy. Other mods or habits will be minimal.

As to which gear to choose, just keep the revs low, but never bog the engine. With time you'll figure out which gear is best for each speed.

 

[K-Hound]

If you drive the same roots daily you'll find flat or downhill spots where you can go into 6th.
Just curious do all models have the red bar that tells you how much gas you are consuming? Because it is a very helpfull tool when trying to choose a gear

 

[AutoItKing]

As far as I know only the SX models have it standard, and it's an option on EX.
I don't have it. :'(

 

[K-Hound]

Interesting, do you have the button that shows your average and distance travelled / till empty?

 

[tankbeans]

K-Hound

I have the base model with A/C. A/C is listed as an option, but I don't think dealers would dare stock a vehicle without it. I don't have the "cosumption bar" (boy does that sound like some horrifying disease or what) for lack of a better term, but I do have a ScanGuage II. Maybe there are tips that I can use with that.

 

[AutoItKing]

All I have is trip A/B and the ecominder.

 

[xSilverX9x]

K-Hound

I have the base model with A/C. A/C is listed as an option, but I don't think dealers would dare stock a vehicle without it. I don't have the "cosumption bar" (boy does that sound like some horrifying disease or what) for lack of a better term, but I do have a ScanGuage II. Maybe there are tips that I can use with that.

It sounds to me that you have a new 2011 LX sedan (since you are describing a 6th gear and there aren't any LX Koups). The first thousand miles are not going to be fuel efficient. This car being your first manual won't help either since you are still learning how to drive it (you will probably tend to stall, over-rev, etc). Your average MPG (Miles Per Gallon) also depends on how much street to Hwy driving you are doing. A/C on the freeway is more fuel efficient than having your windows down.


I have a 2010 LX, I've been getting around 35mpg to and from school (90% Hwy). I don't ever go over 65mph on the freeway, I do rev the car to 4500rpm when entering the freeway. Something that I do recommend is that you check your air filter at 10,000 miles, my dirty air filter was causing me to drop down to 28mpg.


Also, have you done the throttle mod yet? it's in the DIY section, reduces the deadspot on the throttle and allows for smoother shifts.

 

[nouse4aname]

The number one best thing you can do is keep a light throttle foot. That will give you the biggest increase in economy. Other mods or habits will be minimal.

Actually the biggest killer of economy is your brake pedal, not the gas pedal. As you just convert all that momentum you used gas to generate into useless heat at your brake pads. Driving to avoid braking is the key. Keep a good following distance so you don't have to brake every time the car in front of you does. Downshift on hills and when approaching stops as appropriate.

Follow behind larger vehicles rather than leading the pack. Not drafting/tailgating NASCAR style, but even at a safe distance the wake of a larger vehicle can contribute to your mileage.

I manage to get 40mpg out of my Celica(all highway commute, but I redline on ramps)...and hope to get around that in a future Forte as well.

 

[tankbeans]

It sounds to me that you have a new 2011 LX sedan (since you are describing a 6th gear and there aren't any LX Koups).

Also, have you done the throttle mod yet? it's in the DIY section, reduces the deadspot on the throttle and allows for smoother shifts.

Yes, I have the 2011 LX sedan with the 6 speed manual. I'm getting better with it. Down to killing it once a day instead of 5 or 6 times. I love it, but I learned with my friend's 98 Mustang GT with a mechanical connection between the throttle and the engine (I believe) so I'm wondering if that makes a difference. After awhile I didn't kill his car at all.

With regards to the throttle mod, I have not done it yet. I'm worried about possibly voiding the warranty, and, perhaps more importantly, doing it incorrectly causing other issues. Since this is a drive-by-wire I'm not sure how many things could be affected if I screw that up.

Thanks everybody for having the conversation. It is very enlightening.

 

[Brother SX]

Hmm Just a thought .. Try turning off Traction Control I noticed a big difference in power and economy when driven tenderly, but its hard when you know you got better acceleration.

 

[tankbeans]

I hadn't even thought to turn TC off, and didn't think it would make an appreciable difference. If it really makes that much of a difference I shall have to try. Probably when I fill my car next I will do a one tank experiment turning TC off.

 

[arinesmith]

Hmm Just a thought .. Try turning off Traction Control I noticed a big difference in power and economy when driven tenderly, but its hard when you know you got better acceleration.

Explain? You think it actually helps MPG or that you drive differently because you know it's turned off (don't accelerate as hard)?

 

[tankbeans]

What are your thoughts on coasting up to stop lights/signs in neutral versus downshifting sequentially through the gears. Is either better or worse for mileage or is it a moot point? I tend to try and downshift so that I can make sure I'm in a gear in case there is a panic situation where I need to get somewhere fast and don't have to think about whether the car is in gear or not.

Thanks again for the interesting conversation.

 

[arinesmith]

What are your thoughts on coasting up to stop lights/signs in neutral versus downshifting sequentially through the gears. Is either better or worse for mileage or is it a moot point? I tend to try and downshift so that I can make sure I'm in a gear in case there is a panic situation where I need to get somewhere fast and don't have to think about whether the car is in gear or not.

Thanks again for the interesting conversation.

Whether this is true or not, I don't know, but my dad always told me it was illegal to coast in neutral for just that reason. He could have been just trying to teach me safe driving lessons (my true thought on the matter) or it could be true. Either way, I think staying in gear is the safest route.