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