C'mon guys and gals, we're all dying to hear some real world MPG's!!!!

[andywert]

1st fill up for me - 129 miles, 3.32 gals = 38.8 MPG. No A/C since it's winter in DC. All city/no freeway driving this tank.

[andywert]

Well if it makes them happy I'd just tell them it gets 50 MPG.
Seriously, so far (on a new motor that hasn't been broken in) I'm achieving 30% better mileage than I do with my 4 year old MINI, which doesn't do bad at almost 30 MPG.

[Panos]

Originally Posted by andywert

Well if it makes them happy I'd just tell them it gets 50 MPG.
Seriously, so far (on a new motor that hasn't been broken in) I'm achieving 30% better mileage than I do with my 4 year old MINI, which doesn't do bad at almost 30 MPG.

I guess people look at how small it is and figure it should get 60mpg in the city and It would if they had a 35HP engine! Then i would never even consider it, or would a lot of other people. I'm hoping to see a huge aftermarket with performance mods. Hopefully for 2009 we get the 84HP turbo that the UK has. But this isn't the place to discuss this, that's for another thread.

[MinnySmart]

Does anyone agree with the thought that you should accelerate briskly to your cruising speed to shorten the amount of time the engine is under a heavier load (less efficient), increasing the time the engine is under less of a load (more efficient)? Or, is it better to accelerate gently? I used to have an MPG display in an '03 Accord, and it seemed to give me higher efficiency numbers when I would "floor it" and cruise vs. gradual light acceleration.

Also, has anyone tried to move the transmission into N while coasting to an upcoming red light? Does the tranny handle that ok or does it not like it?

Thanks!! Can't wait to be testing mine out and cruisin' around the lakes this summer with the sun shining through the clear roof...

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by MinnySmart

Does anyone agree with the thought that you should accelerate briskly to your cruising speed to shorten the amount of time the engine is under a heavier load (less efficient), increasing the time the engine is under less of a load (more efficient)? Or, is it better to accelerate gently? I used to have an MPG display in an '03 Accord, and it seemed to give me higher efficiency numbers when I would "floor it" and cruise vs. gradual light acceleration.

Also, has anyone tried to move the transmission into N while coasting to an upcoming red light? Does the tranny handle that ok or does it not like it?

Thanks!! Can't wait to be testing mine out and cruisin' around the lakes this summer with the sun shining through the clear roof...

there is no "brisk acceleration" in the smart car. even if so, that seems to counter the MPG efficiency argument. the way cars get better mileage is in higher gears. that is why the car shifts to 4th gear so fast, to preserve MPG. However, this causes the car to struggle when you hit the first hill.

[Panos]

Originally Posted by bmx43

there is no "brisk acceleration" in the smart car. even if so, that seems to counter the MPG efficiency argument. the way cars get better mileage is in higher gears. that is why the car shifts to 4th gear so fast, to preserve MPG. However, this causes the car to struggle when you hit the first hill.

I also noticed this when i went to my local dealer to see the car in person. I took it for a quick test drive and when i was driving on a back road, nice and easy. It was in 5th gear and i was probably doing around 35mph. I didn't notice until the sales rep brought it up. Of course this is to get the best possible MPG out of the car. I prefer the manual mode.

[prm1177]

Bad news. 2nd fill-up and I got 42 mpg instead of 43. I did spend some serious time in a traffic jam, though, and also permitted some friends to test drive it. Still very pleased.

[SmartBob]

Originally Posted by prm1177

Bad news. 2nd fill-up and I got 42 mpg instead of 43. I did spend some serious time in a traffic jam, though, and also permitted some friends to test drive it. Still very pleased.

ZOWEE! NICE! Oh, I mean, Dag what a shame.

[Westfield 11]

1st fillup: 34.229 MPG mixed city and freeway mostly in auto mode with no a/c.

[Connelly]

Day 17 - Just turned 1000 miles on the odometer today, almost equal combination of suburban and highway driving. After 3 1/2 fillups, my average works out to 35.8 mpg of 93 premium. I've been manual shifting mostly - prefer the performance. I've been driving an Expedition for 5 years, so I'm happy with anything over 15 mpg.