I just went through the gas receipts for the first year on our smart. From September 30, 2008 when we picked it up through September 30, 2009 we put 14,400 miles on the car and spent $734.62 in gas over that same period. Most of the driving we do is highway, with some stop-and-go in town. The gas mileage varies from 39 to 43 mpg around town, and 45 to 50 on the highway. I'm not a heavy A/C user either, plus this year we didn't really need it.
I have found the "sweet speed" on this one to be 60 mph. When I drive at that speed with a light foot on the acceleration the mileage really shows it. One more benefit to the secondary highways!
The gas mileage varies from 39 to 43 mpg around town, and 45 to 50 on the highway. I'm not a heavy A/C user either, plus this year we didn't really need it.
I have found the "sweet speed" on this one to be 60 mph. When I drive at that speed with a light foot on the acceleration the mileage really shows it. One more benefit to the secondary highways!
Agree with the sweet 60 mph observation. This mpg range appears to be the *upper limit* for this car, (short of heroic, expensive mods?).
One other area for consideration, (and yes, this is redundant): tire pressure. One of my front tire valves was loose and I was deflating much faster than 1 psi/month. Tightening the valve, and weekly pressure checks, puts me in your 45 - 50 highway world. Even a little underinflation taxes this small engine, eh?
I've averaged 28mpg so far, with 6 fuel-ups and over 1200 miles. City driving in LA, lots of stop-and-go. Little to no highway driving.
A little disappointed, but hoping it will either get better or I'll stop paying attention to my fuel economy :P
Thats the Kind of driving a Hybrid is made for.
And we also hear from other LA drivers who spend all their time doing 85 on the freeways.
Yep (well specifically a prius, not all hybrids are better on surface streets than highway). Wish I could've afforded one! I love my smart, but it's not ideal for my driving conditions as far as mpg goes. It is, however, ideal for my parking conditions and my "I like cute stuff" condition!
There are indeed freeways in LA. Good for those who can make use of them, however, they rarely serve my commuting purposes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilWinIL
Most of the driving we do is highway, with some stop-and-go in town. The gas mileage varies from 39 to 43 mpg around town, and 45 to 50 on the highway. I'm not a heavy A/C user either, plus this year we didn't really need it.
This is more what I was expecting/hoping for. Maybe I just need to be patient with the break-in period, though I question that logic as well.
63 MPG on my first long run out on our local highway - pushing quite hard and cruising at 85-90 mph (but thats our Imperial gallons ....and it is a 451diesel)
Seems to do 60 mpg in the city, but Ive only filled up twice so far!) Do you guys have superdiesel over there yet? Is it worth the premium??
My wife and I just went down to St Charles, MO Saturday. We went down on I-55 to 270 and then took the slower route on Route 4 coming home. I didn't figure the mileage going south, but on the way back we got 51.5 mpg. I held it at 60 mph on 4. There was some in-town driving once we got home before I got gas again, so it was probably around 52 on the highway.
I'm liking the US, State and County routes more every day!
Hello, Stepehn. I live in Northwest NM and gas mileage varies betweeen ~41-55 mpg. I've had as high as 58mpg. On a trip from Farmington NM to Telluride and back, I got 53 mpg. The route crossess two mountain passes that top off at over 10000 feet. Mileage is speed-dependent. Returning from Albuquerque today, (route crosses the Continental Divide), I got 47 mpg traveling at ~65-72 mph. I've ordered a cold-air induction with an aFe filter, which is supposed to boost power and gas mileage; I'm eager to install it and see what it does.
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