View Poll Results: How many Miles Per Gallon do you usually get with your S?
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Miles Per Gallon?
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From: Yrmom, MD
Originally Posted by FF2Skip,Jul 28 2005, 07:38 PM
For those of you that do only city driving, you are more prone to clogging injectors over time despite using the best fuel. I've also been under the impression for many years(and there may be the problem- time) that one needs to "blow out" the fuel system a la some high speed driving(freeway). Maybe that was directed more at carburated vehicles- don't know.
While those shifting so low are actually stressing/working the injectors less, I believe this may add to the clogging issues. Spray patterns become bad, etc.
More importantly, you're making the car operate out of it's most efficient range. I can see being in a higher gear at lower speeds so long as acceleration has ceased and a speed is being maintained. But during acceleration, you are making things more difficult on the engine than shifting at more appropriate rpms.
While those shifting so low are actually stressing/working the injectors less, I believe this may add to the clogging issues. Spray patterns become bad, etc.
More importantly, you're making the car operate out of it's most efficient range. I can see being in a higher gear at lower speeds so long as acceleration has ceased and a speed is being maintained. But during acceleration, you are making things more difficult on the engine than shifting at more appropriate rpms.
) every now and then that it should be fine.Could you go into more detail about what you think regarding the efficient range? I thought as long as I was providing enough torque to the wheels to accelerate, that it wouldn't be making it 'more difficult' on the engine...? So I'd like to know what exactly makes it more difficult on the engine.
Maybe I should post in Under the Hood or something to get more thoughts... though I'm not sure if they're as 'civilized' as we are here
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From: Lewisville, TX
Originally Posted by PopTarts,Jul 29 2005, 08:57 AM
Right. That's the same thing my mechanic said as far as the injectors were concerned. He said as long as I 'blow out' (I think it was exactly the same wording as you ) every now and then that it should be fine.
Could you go into more detail about what you think regarding the efficient range? I thought as long as I was providing enough torque to the wheels to accelerate, that it wouldn't be making it 'more difficult' on the engine...? So I'd like to know what exactly makes it more difficult on the engine.
Maybe I should post in Under the Hood or something to get more thoughts... though I'm not sure if they're as 'civilized' as we are here
) every now and then that it should be fine.Could you go into more detail about what you think regarding the efficient range? I thought as long as I was providing enough torque to the wheels to accelerate, that it wouldn't be making it 'more difficult' on the engine...? So I'd like to know what exactly makes it more difficult on the engine.
Maybe I should post in Under the Hood or something to get more thoughts... though I'm not sure if they're as 'civilized' as we are here
Assume you have a large pallet of boxes to move. You could try and move them yourself one at a time(trying to accelerate at low rpm). You will get the job done. It will take a long time and you will be tired at day's end.
Now let's say you have a couple of co-workers who are also being punished for asking so many questions.
You all form a line between the current position of the boxes and their final resting spot. Each person hands off the boxes to the next person without too much walking about. The process is completed more quickly and efficiently, leaving everyone with plenty of stamina/strength to run to the bar and pound down some ales. 
Clearly, the second scenario sounds a whole lot more appealing than the first. The only rebuttal might be that we are fatiguable while the modern engine shouldn't show such attrition.
As an aside, safety is also a concern of mine. Being too low in the powerband may not allow for timely evasive action. Having too little power is more often associated with failure to avoid an accident than having too much power. I don't VTEC from light to light, so please don't think that's my driving style. At the same time, you'll never find me below 3.5k while driving. Again, environment and driving needs dictate every situation. I just don't see the good in not using a lower gear to help do the work.
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From: Yrmom, MD
Originally Posted by FF2Skip,Jul 29 2005, 06:15 AM
Clearly, the second scenario sounds a whole lot more appealing than the first. The only rebuttal might be that we are fatiguable while the modern engine shouldn't show such attrition.
As an aside, safety is also a concern of mine. Being too low in the powerband may not allow for timely evasive action. Having too little power is more often associated with failure to avoid an accident than having too much power. I don't VTEC from light to light, so please don't think that's my driving style. At the same time, you'll never find me below 3.5k while driving. Again, environment and driving needs dictate every situation. I just don't see the good in not using a lower gear to help do the work.
As an aside, safety is also a concern of mine. Being too low in the powerband may not allow for timely evasive action. Having too little power is more often associated with failure to avoid an accident than having too much power. I don't VTEC from light to light, so please don't think that's my driving style. At the same time, you'll never find me below 3.5k while driving. Again, environment and driving needs dictate every situation. I just don't see the good in not using a lower gear to help do the work.
I have wondered if getting up to speed quickly then coasting would be more efficient too... still testing and experimenting
My tendency actually would be to nearly VTEC it from light to light... that's sort of why I have to try and discipline myself to not wear out the car too much from rapid accel/decel and also avoid tickets
so I've been playing the MPG game...It's kinda like as long as I don't taste the sweet chocolate too often I'm not tempted to always eat the chocolate... but I certainly taste it from time to time
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From: Lewisville, TX
I will tell you that the faster you get to your top speed, whatever it might be, the more fuel you'll burn. Want better gas mileage? Don't use cruise control on hilly sections. The car acelerates as it goes uphill. 
That's too late. You should be accelerating prior to the incline.
That's too late. You should be accelerating prior to the incline.
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From: Yrmom, MD
Originally Posted by FF2Skip,Jul 29 2005, 07:01 AM
I will tell you that the faster you get to your top speed, whatever it might be, the more fuel you'll burn. Want better gas mileage? Don't use cruise control on hilly sections. The car acelerates as it goes uphill. That's too late. You should be accelerating prior to the incline.
That's too late. You should be accelerating prior to the incline.What do you think about when you try to give it a little power going up a hill, but it's decelerating very slowly because there's not enough power? I've always wondered if that would have any detrimental effects...
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From: Lewisville, TX
Originally Posted by PopTarts,Jul 29 2005, 01:47 PM
Yeah, I turn it off briefly for hills and whatnot... I only use CC for long highway drives anyway
What do you think about when you try to give it a little power going up a hill, but it's decelerating very slowly because there's not enough power? I've always wondered if that would have any detrimental effects...
What do you think about when you try to give it a little power going up a hill, but it's decelerating very slowly because there's not enough power? I've always wondered if that would have any detrimental effects...
