On my way to karate class, I used the cruise control while driving on the freeway. I took my time, and managed to average 44.3 MPG for the drive there. Not bad for a 2000 Honda Civic! There was a long piece of road with construction signs and 55 mph speed limit signs. Normally the speed limit in these areas if 65. But people were flying passed me doing like 70 anyway.
On my way home, I decided to see how good of gas mileage I could get. The first part I used a steady foot to hold the gas pedal in a fixed position as best I could. I tried to keep my scanguage showing a throttle position of 16. Much of the early part was the construction zone. Then when we got out of then, we hit the regular 55 mph zone. After holding the pedal steady for a while, I switched over to using my cruise control. I had already been averaging about 46 mpg. I set the cruise control to have me going about 55 mph. Actually the speedometer on my dashboard was showing 55mph, but my scanguage had me going about 52 which was more accurate. As I got into town, there was more construction, and the speed limit dropped to 45. I dropped my speed more. People were passing me, but I didn’t care. I just let em go. My gas mileage now was average over 48 mpg! Wow! The speed limit dropped again to 40 while going through downtown. I slowed more. Then as we got out of town, the limit goes back up to 55. I speed up, and was actually going about 52. After a while, the speed limit goes up to 65. I speed up just a little and was going maybe 55. My gas mileage average kept going up.
Eventually I had to get off the freeway. There were some lights, but I managed to get my speed just right that I was able to catch them on green. I was doing great, but then there is a steep uphill section as I get near my house. I live on a hill. This drub my gas mileage down. When I pulled into my garage, my final average gas mileage was 47.5. It had been up in the mid 48’s before the hills. That’s great for a 2000 Honda Civic! My car is not a hybrid and is totally paid for too!
Wow that’s an amazing job on gas mileage for a civic! Almost 50 mpg very impressive. It goes to show that you can achieve very high gas mileages without owning a hybrid. Good work!
Comment by Raise Gas Mileage — April 12, 2010 @ 1:12 am