Tips and Tricks to Improve MPG

[uh50]

Since many of us have EcoBoosts, I wanted to ask. What's your best tip to get the most MPG out of it?

I'm a big fan of getting up to speed and then using cruise control. So far I'm at about 26mpg. I'm only 230 miles into my break in period and hope to get to 30mpg highway as the sticker suggests. I figured maybe others have better tips and tricks.

I too am averaging about 25.9 to 26.5 mpg as calculated by the computer. That is mostly local rural low speed driving, however I'll be checking my third tank full in a few days and will update. But, in my initial review of the XL 2.0, on a 300 mile mostly highway trip, the computer says I got 30.1, which I will take any day. That's accomplished with the Eco driving mode on, coasting downhills, being easy on the accelerator, and stop/start enabled. That's my normal driving mode, however, the Sport mode is fun at times.

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[Decayed]

You are on to something here.

 

[ReddWulf]

Get enough of a bounce and you could bypass stop and go traffic altogether!

 

[MavPru]

I had a 2006 Civic hybrid and used some hypermiling techniques to push it over 50 mpg. My best tank was 550 miles on 10 gallons. No AC, lots of coasting and using cruise control as much as possible. Tires make a huge difference.

I had a 2006 Civic Hybrid as well. I could hit 50 mpg. A coworker had same make and model, but she never could get above low to mid 40's. There definitely is a learning curve with a hybrid.

 

[JBryant]

Same as most vehicles. Go slow speeding up (keeping it in the optimal power band) and then going as slow on the highway as the traffic allows. Anything over 60 and you will likely see a measurable increase in fuel consumption (drag is a function of velocity squared). Coast to stops without using your brakes. Don't use cruise control (much better MPG hypermilling and changing speed based on hills). I have not seen any fluid-dynamic models regarding shells or covers yet to know how much impact they have {been a long time since I have done them myself - UT Aerospace Engineering}. Since the bed is so short, probably not a lot (there is less drag on longer objects). If you go to one of the hyper-milling forums, you will see more mods (skirts, under-side treatments, etc.) and suggestions than you can digest. Tires also make a difference but not nearly as big a difference as your right foot (or local traffic conditions).

Great reply with solid information. I have done a large bit of what you have laid out here. I have found out that as long as I stay under 70, especially on hilly terrain, coasting downhill, slowly accelerating, etc., I can get around 43-44 on my Lariat hybrid.

Now my wife is a different story. I have tried 3 doctors to no avail, but maybe you can help from an engineering standpoint. She has had a problem for years that the doctors cannot cure - LFS, but it only affects her right foot - it has not spread to her left foot. It is known as LFS - Lead Foot Syndrome. Man, I wish she could get cured. It would cut down a lot on our gas bill LOL.

 

[Sleeper 7]

Keep the rpm below 2000. The boost increases with rpm and boost requires fuel

 

[GPSMan]

The Hybrid has a battery for boost.

I sometimes say I got the BatteryBoost model.

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