Has anybody actually gotten better mpg by not being light with the gas pedal? Idk if im just miscalculating or what, but sometimes it seriously seems like when im light on the pedal on my commute, the gas mileage is a little worse than when i give some power every once in a while.

Anybody else experience this?

EDIT:
see post #6

 

............no.....

 

I know i know lol. But seriously my theory is maaaybeee since my commute is only about 6mi, its better for me to get home faster and have the engine on less.. Than take it slow and have the engine on longer but still travel the same distance.
Or maybe since in this poopy city, if you drive at normal speed, which is slow here, then more cars will pass you and you end up in more traffic and stuck idling longer.

Or maybe im completely wrong, in any case, its definitely more fun...

 

My theory, the faster the better!

 

Not to be a smart ***, but what do you think will burn less fuel, driving 55 mph for 6 miles or driving that 6 miles in lets say 10 seconds?

There's a lot of reasons that driving quicker burns more fuel, but in general, for anything, not just cars, the quicker you travel, the more energy will be required. One of the most simple reasons that driving faster burns more fuel is that there is drag from the atmosphere. Imagine trying to run against 100 mph winds vs. 20mph winds. It's a similar concept for cars. The faster you travel the more drag there is, thus requiring more energy to maintain that speed. That's just one part of the equation but it gives you an idea.

 

But most of those things imply a constant speed/flow of traffic. Its never like that here. I guess i might be getting better mpg not because of driving faster, but other factors too. Like here the normal route i take involves 2 sections(well many but these are the worst) where the car will just crawl for like 10min just to cover 1 block. And thats on a good day. So intead i try to go around, but it involves 2 stop signs and then flooring it a bit qhen i get a big enough(but short) gap to get back into the route i usaully take(its a left turn with no light onto a busy street with many alternating lights at both ends.. Its chaotic). On the second part its you either crawl along for about 5+ minutes, and again only go less than a block, then go up a steep hill, or you go around to about 3 stop signs and a much less steep hill, then join back in.

I guess my real question is which is worse for gas, idling for long periods(i do mean LONG) of time on a regular street with lots of traffic, or going through side streets but dealing with multiple stop signs?

 

Idling = 0 MPG Any movement means =MPG

 

I installed an MPT 93 Octane tune, and I can't figure it out; If I'm hard on the car (highway driving), my mileage will average 23 to 24 MPG. If I baby it and cruise at 70 or less, I get 22 MPG.

 

Well, regardless of driving like grandma or like an a-hole around town, mine consistently sees about 19mpg avg. This past weekend I drove from OKC to Dallas at about 80 and saw 24 mpg avg. Not bad at all for a muscle car.

 

we all own a muscle car.. put the muscle to the metalllllllll

 

I don't see much of a difference short shifting (@2-3k) vs fun shifting (@4-5k), but I imagine shifting at redline every time would hurt MPG. The biggest factor in my observed MPG is the cruising gear - cruising in a lower gear than needed reduces MPG.

I usually prefer to think in terms of smiles (not miles) per gallon.

 

My goal is lower mpg in the '11.....cuz that is a lot more fun.....I drive my Lightning.....no, my 02 Gt vert.....wait.....nothing I drive is here for mpg....

Cold start temps, diving route, & right foot will always change the mpg. Comparing different routes will be different mpgs.

 

what's the safest crusing rpm in 6th gear in your opinions? I try to cruise at no lower than 1500...which is about 50-55mph in 6th gear.
I hate it when I'm driving 45 in 5th and I'm at 2300rpm. Might as well speed to get into 6th.

 

I'm interested in hearing people's thoughts on this as well. The engine doesn't seem to lug in 6th even at 1200 as long as you are not trying to accelerate up a hill.

 

if you can keep the car moving that will increase your mpg's. You use more fuel getting the car moving as opposed to keeping it moving. I think I explained that correctly. Most mpg's will be lost on take off.