bad gas mileage

[MichaelDay]

Jeff, I suspect that something else changed to cause a gas mileage decrease when increasing the tire pressure. I run 42 psi in my GT with no squealing of the tire and no wear problems. Generally you will get slightly better mileage with increased pressure although the ride will be rougher and as has been stated earlier you must stay within the limits of the tires max rating (which you are).

[Kirby]

quote:Originally posted by Kirby

I got poor gas mileage till I put on the dual exhaust. I also changed to 5-30 synthetic Mobil 1.
Just got back from Vegas today: 26mpg, (3hr trip from LA to Vegas) lots of 100mph+.[?]

[THier]

Gear Head,
You think your bad,,,,,,,,,
I still have all the gas info from my 02 in my IPAQ, minus some that were lost in a dead battery between backups, and that one is gone, and have the info from the GT in there, I keep, date, miles, gallons, MPG, cost per gallon, total cost, and how much I was in the turbo in a scale of 1-5 [:0] YES I NEED HELP!!!!! the worst part is I drive 75 to 120 miles a day. I get gas atleast twice a week. The worst I saw on the 02 was 19mpg, the best was 26!!!!! I really nursed it for a tank, The GT??? 16 worst 22 best I try to nurse it along sometimes, but the gas pedal grabs my foot and yanks it down to the floor,[8)] blowing the attempt at good mileage[B)].
Tom

[gamman]

I just re-read this old link and have a suggestion to DT's message above.

Old PDA's. Keep an old Palm Pilot or something in the glove box. I think you can download the info to the XL spreadsheet.

All you have to do is write down mileage from trip odometer, amount of gas, etc. You can get really funky like whose gas gives you more mileage, or how much chevron 94 gives you in mpg, etc.

I used to work for a refinery (summer job) whose lower octane numbers (1/2 point lower) would get you further on a tank of gas. How? They used a lighter type of crude, which therefore gives you a lighter type of gas or something like that I don't understand.

Sometimes numbers (marketing numbers) don't get you all that you bargain for.

I sold my auto (was getting 20.5-22.9mpg) and have a stick with 20.5-27.5 mpg.

Plus I think you could also use for tax mileage purposes too. IE: calander, trip to client x, mileage Y.

[crazyjoe]

Crazyjoe's key to ggod mileage:

Cruise Control.

when I first got the PT GT, I drove it on the highway, keeping with the flow of traffic here in Detroit. Which means alternately hitting the gas and the brake quite a bit. If you're set upon doing the speed limit or near it, you're also in for some problems. People in Detroit do either 5 below or 10 above the limit.

When I drove this way, my MPG was typically around 19 - 21 MPG. Even in the summer months when the warmer weather should have helped my MPG, 21 is about the best I saw.

So, I started using the cruise control, setting it at a speed slightly below what prevailing trafic was doing. Why? Becuase if I matched speed with the cars ahead of me, no matter how noble my intent, it seemed they would always slow down to the point of making me hit the brakes, or someone would cut in front of me. Going slightly less than the speed of other traffic in your lane (and I mean like going 63 instead of 65 in the middle lane), means other have to pass you most of the time, which lessens the chance of them cutting you off and requiring you to hit the brake.

Now, I don't do this with complete disregard for common courtesy....if a large group of traffic or a fastmoving vehicle is coming up behind me, and I have room to pull to the side and let them by (assuming there isn't a wall of traffic ahead of me), I will.

Once off the freeway, I drive the vehicle normally, occasionally hiting the gas hard to merge with traffic or make a turn onto a busy road. Also, on the freeway I use the AC when necessary, and we have a LOT of times (usually once each trip home) when the traffic is stop and go for a few minutes.

Considering this, since I have started my new driving pattern, I average 24.5 MPG (and I don't stick to the pattern all the time, sometimes I drive 70 - 75 with the cruise on). If your freeways are less congested than good ol' I-75 through the nothern Detroit 'burbs, I imagine you could average 26 or 27 without a lot of problems. Also driving this way is less stressful, because you get fewer people doing stupid **** in front of you, because you're going slower.

[crazie.eddie]

I used to have a lead foot. I admit, when I got the my '04 PT GT a few weeks ago, I loved the power, but later hated spending a lot on gas. I would average around 19-21 MPG. So I also put myself on a new driving pattern. Instead of rapidly accelerating, I do it slowly, unless I'm merging into traffic or a vehicle approaches from behind rather quickly. Or if I get the urge to open her up. I don't have a chance to use cruise alot and at times I forget. But with my new driving pattern, I have been getting around 22-24, which is not much I know. But from what I understand, I will get better mileage as my car approaches or goes beyond the 3k mark. I also plan to get Stage 1, which I also understand helps improve on the mileage.