So I've owned my s2k for about 1.5-2 months now, and I'm on my 4th gas fill-up. My first gas up was with Chevron, and I got about 20 MPG with them. Second time I got Shell and got 22 MPG, 3rd time I went back to Shell and got 25 MPG, today I gassed up the 4th time (at Shell again) and calculated I got 30 MPG. I'm just amazed, and I have no idea what it is!

I generally drive at or under 3k RPMs, usually under unless in 5-6th gear. I only gas up at Shell. And I generally go speed limit on the streets, and 62-75 MPH freeway. I notice if I drive at 62 MPH my gas survives a bit longer. Also I pumped the air in my tires to about 45-50 psi which is either max or recommended, I forget which but probably max. These are all the things I consciously do in order to save gas. But I don't think doing just this would give me 30 MPG! I have no mods on my car, just a Quick release steering wheel.

Any ideas on what I'm doing right? Or is it everything I just stated?!

 

45-50 psi? That's too much in my opinion. It's surely helping out your fuel economy but it's not good for the tires.

Shell gas is the best IMO.

These cars aren't that bad on gas when driven tamely but fuel economy is the last thing on my mind when I'm driving the S.

 

That psi is way too much.

 

I personally have seen 33mpg.
One of the guys on here (G) has gotten 40+ when running a non-stagger all season tire at high pressure and being lighter on the throttle.

 

Increasing the tire pressure is a good step, and one that I use when making road trips. Just make sure to account for the increase in pressure as the tire heats, which will be different based upon various factors(type of driving, type of road surface, air temp, road temp, precipitation, daylight vs night & so on). Make SURE that you monitor your tire pressures. When travelling I check mine at every fill up. As it has been said, running high pressures is actually bad for your tires overall. In essence what you are doing is rounding the tire and reducing the contact patch. This will eventually lead to the middle wearing faster than the edges. It is also a good idea to rotate your tires more often if this is going to be your normal mode of operation.

As you have noticed, being judicious with your throttle application, and using a top tier gasoline help as well. If your ultimate goal is too eek every mpg out of your S, then visit some of the hypermiling sites to get additional tips.

 

Anytime I go out for a leisurely cruise with the wife I get 30-31 mpg, since she won't let me drive fast . It's normal to see this kind of mpg, and I keep my tires at 32 psi.

 

45 to 50 PSI

Must feel like you are riding on wooden wheels. I usually go +2 PSI on recommended pressure on all my cars. The "S" MPG can be very reasonable if you keep the RPM down. But then, that's like opening up a bag of chips and eating just one; don't know too many who can do that

Drive Safe, Always

 

62mph?! That's no doubt the reason for high fuel economy. But 30mpg ain't special. My '06 gets 28mpg at 80-85 mph on the interstates.

It's not about rolling resistance (tire pressure) but about air resistance (the shape of the car) which is an exponential factor and is approximately twice (2x) at 70mph than it was was at 50mph and four times (4x) at 100 than it was at 50. Overcoming more air resistance requires more power and more power requires more fuel. Slower speeds use less fuel per mile.

-- Chuck




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the S2K is about smiles per gallon.. not miles per gallon.

#shouldaboughtaprius

 

This car is about having as much fun as possible, I don't give a damn how much MPG I can get it. If you're worried about costs of running this car, then it's not the right car for you.