Gas mileage

[jimvw57]

I did notice an increase in mpg as the miles added up. Make sure tire pressure is at the correct setting. Soft tires will give a better ride but mpg does suffer

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Carlarm

Side note: I got a Tom Tom GPS Navigation unit a month ago and one of the features that can be enabled is to give you a warning when you go faster than the posted speed limit. This has helped my gas mileage somewhat.

The County Sheriff will do that, too. Tom Tom is probably cheaper in the long run, though...

I've got ~2,600 miles on the Cabrio at the moment. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of range I get in a month, when I take her on the road trip to TX and FL, especially now that I have the cruise control.

[Kermit]

There are TONS of variables that effect mileage.

The one thing I didn't look at originally was that you were from Houston. I can most likely guess correctly that you are in LOTS of stop and go (more stop than go) traffic and sit with the A/C on all the time too. Those two right there are KILLERS for mileage.

The sad thing with the Smart is you'll check your mileage more than you did with your last car. Unfortunately you've most likely got yourself tricked into believing you got phenomenal mileage with your last car too because you checked the mileage once on it. That isn't really about you but a generalization about some of the people that question why their Smart isn't getting great mileage.

Those variables I talked about, even road construction material is a HUGE factor in mileage, hills, other traffic creating blocking out wind (draft) and the list goes on.

[Allargando DiFortissimo]

There is a stretch of road here on I-26 just north of Columbia (South Carolina) that uses asphalt of a type I've never driven on anywhere else.

Heading south into Columbia, you can see the surface color of the road ahead get darker. Then, when you get there, you are greeted by almost TOTAL SILENCE from road noise. I can't tell if it's real or psychological, but it seems the car (Toyota Prius, haven't yet been there in the smart) has drastically lower rolling resistance. I know that road noise (or lack of it) can be a powerful persuader, but the Prius's "spreadsheet" mileage chart suggests the effect may be real.

Could be snake oil, but it's interesting, nonetheless.

ADiF

[winyan]

Oddly enough I drive in basically rural NJ, and average about 58 mpg. I've no clue why, and I've checked and rechecked it.

I have a scan gauge that helps me track it, and I've utilized spreadsheets and some mileage trackers on my iPhone as well.

I am not on freeways all that often but I do drive them, however, when I do my mileage will decline to about 48-50, mpg.

As an aside, I wasn't really keeping track this last tankful, however, I always do reset the trip odometer, which currently shows 80.5 miles driven on a still full tank.

I know that's probably a 'large' gallon, but imho it's still impressive.

win

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by lyerby

462 miles on car, getting 33 mi/gal. Will it get better??

During the break in period (first 1000 miles), I averaged 35 mpg. I now have 8000 mile son my fortwo & am averaging 41 mpg. Yes, it will get better.

[seadave]

Regarding Scan Gauge and mpg at 58, sorry but I don't buy it. To get 58 for any distance at all would require serious tailwinds, constant speed of around 40 mph with no stopping, and perhaps all downhill. I've seen other posts by people using Scan Gauge and for me it only makes me question the calibration of their equipment. If users can unequivocally say that it matchess 100% with the old fashioned comparison of miles driven (from the odometer) and gallons used (from the amount shown on the pump during a fillup) then I might be a little less skeptical.

As for me, using the old fashioned method of miles driven and actual gallons put in and a little over 6000 miles under my belt, I get between 37 and 42 during the winter in Houston. Now that the AC HAS to be on, I'm getting between 36 and 38, but will likely go a little lower with 100% AC use as the summer progresses.

However, I also usually get 100% smiles!!!

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Allargando DiFortissimo

There is a stretch of road here on I-26 just north of Columbia (South Carolina) that uses asphalt of a type I've never driven on anywhere else.

Heading south into Columbia, you can see the surface color of the road ahead get darker. Then, when you get there, you are greeted by almost TOTAL SILENCE from road noise.
ADiF

I too have a streach of road that is different and new. It is totaly smooth and quiet. What I have found is in my versa the Tire presure light goes on about 3 miles into driving on that streach every time. But when I get home my preasure is perfect.

Who know?

[Allargando DiFortissimo]

seadave says: Regarding Scan Gauge and mpg at 58, sorry but I don't buy it.

I know this wasn't aimed at me but, just for clarity on my 54-mpg lifetime average, it could be off a bit. I don't have a ScanGuage, but here, for the sake of completeness, is my routine:

I fill at the same station, at the same pump, facing the same direction, every time. I buy gas at a place that is REPORTED to have 100% gasoline (no ethanol), but I admit that I have never checked the gas for alcohol content. Neither have I, myself, ever been checked for ethanol content. Continuity? You betcha!

Anyway, my mileage figure is based on ODOMETER MILES divided by PUMP GALLONS (displayed 2-digits to-the-right of the decimal, for the anal-retentive OCD'ers). I realize the ODO could be (probably is?) slightly optimistic, but I feel I'm over 50-mpg no matter how you slice it.

This ain't my first rodeo. I've been modifying my cars for gas mileage since 1975 but mostly (since getting a Prius w-immediate feedback on what works and what doesn't), I've been modifying my driving.

In the smartcar, I take every opportunity to drive in 5th gear between 40-and-50 mph. Sometimes those opportunities present themselves, and other times I must take them. Whichever way they come, I reap the benefits at the pump. No, I'm not "saving the planet" or anything, but I hang my head in shame if I get less than 450 miles on a fill-up.

Of course, Your Mileage May Vary (I know mine does),

ADiF

[piglith]

At 800 miles last tank was 38MPG but then I switched wheels to 215x35-17 and 225x35-17s and my milage this tank is some where around 28MPG. Now given the new tires and lowered has put my foot to the floor a little more but I'm guessing that going from bicycle tires to these monsters you loose a few miles.