Almost 5000 miles now and still only 37 mpg :(

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by scdaf

Don't know why people beat on this car for aerodynamics? A .29 coefficient of drag is identical to a Mazda Miata and I don't recall anyone comparing it to a barn door. smartie has an excellent and efficient shape and it's a little offended to be so underappreciated...

Just as aerodynamic as a bumble-bee and they seem to manage OK. . . It's not that they're not aerodynamic - they're just stubby~! LOL

[bottlerocket]

If you're going 75mph and getting 37mpg I think you should be smiling

Only a hybrid could beat that, and even then....

[Fowvay]

man.... 37mpg looks pretty good from where I'm sitting. That's for damn sure.

[martek@wcnet.org]

Just did my 3rd fill up with checking the milage and I am now getting 41-42mpg. I didn't check at first and when I did, I was a little disappointed to find I got 30mpg, then next check was almost 36 and now this. I drive mostly town driving and the occasional 100 mile roundtrip to the "big city". I don't go over 60 and I have been using the air. I am very happy with this! My wrangler would guzzle gas and get me only 10-12mpg. Woo Hoo!!!

[xcrew229x]

If I disconnected four cylinders and pushed it downhill my Corvette would get maybe 20.........

[Alan Smithee]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

At 75mph you're not going to get awesome mileage, the car just doesn't have the aerodynamics for it.

It's not the aerodynamics per se, it's the gearing. Short gears enable it to be quick off the line and make the most of its 71hp in terms of acceleration. A 6th/overdrive gear would help improve highway mileage, but acceleration in top gear would then be nonexistent. The car is just not designed for efficient freeway driving.

And I agree that 37mpg is excellent with that much freeway driving at 75mph in one of these.

[Bum-bling-B]

Gearing too is definitely a factor - the Cd of 0.35 sure ain't helping.

Stolen from an oooolllld thread here on SCoA is a few comparisons.....

Car .................... Cd ........ Area (sq ft) ..... Cd x Area
Toyota Prius ....... 0.26 ........... 27.7 ........... 7.20
smart fortwo ....... 0.35 ........... 25.8 ........... 9.03 (+25%)

On another note.....I pulled out my window sticker today. It said something about expect to get an average of 36-46mpg. 37mpg is falling in there.

[deltadart]

Just got back from the Iowa State fair in Des Moines. Cedar Rapids to Des Moines and back. 95% interstate(I-380,I-80)-70mph-2 adults-2 children-A/C on-32.6mpg. My car is a 04 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2L Ecotec engine. I urge all of you to test drive a Chevy with this 2.2L Ecotec engine.

[Fowvay]

Originally Posted by deltadart

Just got back from the Iowa State fair in Des Moines. Cedar Rapids to Des Moines and back. 95% interstate(I-380,I-80)-70mph-2 adults-2 children-A/C on-32.6mpg. My car is a 04 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2L Ecotec engine. I urge all of you to test drive a Chevy with this 2.2L Ecotec engine.

Thanks but no thanks......

[Macaw]

2-up interstate at 65mph (speed limit) a/c on 43mpg no problem....only need room for 2 and the cargo space is adequate for us....plus in town we get 39-40mpg...