Gas mileage help, please read

[gone_postal]

Another thing is with the air conditioner on, the mileage has actually gone up to 38mpg, any suggestions will greatly be appreciated.

I've found that the A/C running creates less drag on the engine than that of having the windows down also. I'm sure that the aerodynamics are to blame for the window issue...

I hauled something home the other day and it required me to tie the hatch part-way open. I could all but SEE the gas gauge dropping, and again, I'm sure due to aerodynamics. In case you've not noticed, the whole Metro idea was for a cheap car that got good mileage. It wasn't for a school bus or racetrack hero, or even a truck. Nobody that drives a Metro really expects Ferrari performance or the ability to climb big rocks and such. You gotta make some concessions someplace.

[atleastitsnotaford]

i do! ok, i know better. just a note, the lack of passenger mirror was supposed to give 2-3 mpg based on just the aerodynamic effect. I can't stand the lack of mirror over there, and will soon have a mirror eliminator plate for sale.

[95basemetro]

I think that my metro (95) hatchback (RED), was some time in the past wrecked in the front, as the paint is much better on the bottom of the car, than on the top. (PO had garage that he parked it in, and had put 56,000 on since he owned it.) I am the third owner, and the PO did not know if it had been wrecked, previously, but had not been since he owned it. He bought a new Aveo, and said that it did not get as good mileage as this Metro. He had gas tickets to show that he had jus gotten 49 mpg with it just before selling, he lives out in the country and it is nearly 20 miles to anywhere (large things). He told me that he used Super Tech full synthetic motor oil and changed every 3000, and filter, costs 14.50 at the local WalMart per 5 quarts. Oil does show near black at 3,000 though. He never mentioned that the EGR had stopped up, so I am ASSUMEING that regular oil changes with full synthetic had something to do with that.

[95basemetro]

to atleast is not a ford and ALL, Fellows if I make August 8 I wll be 74 years ole and still going very well. I have since purchased & installed an outside passenger mirror soon after getting this vehicle, and can not compare before and after mpg. I will say that since driving trucks (20,000 thru 18 wheelers) since 1972 that I WILL NOT DRIVE without a right side mirror.There is a lot of good news here and interesting people to read with/about. Thanks for making this interesting. atleastitsnotaford---I see you over on team swift site on ocassion, do I not?

[sbergman27]

I you want to run it faster, build it to go faster, you won't get as good of mileage as going slower, but you can still get better than that.

What, exactly does that mean? I know that in my 1988 Sprint Metro (the Sprint version of the XFI) the 52MPG that I would get at 65mph would drop precipitously if I pushed it faster. I'm expecting to do a lot of driving at 70-75. (Possibly as high as 80 in New Mexico.) And I am in the market for an 89-94 XFI, I think. But at those speeds, might the regular 5 spd coupe do better on fuel? My Sprint would often be unable to maintain those speeds into a headwind and/or up any sort of hill. The extra power in my current 92 Metro automatic sedan is noticeable, by comparison, and a nice luxury.

Oh, and hello fellow Oklahoman. I live in OKC and used to make the Dallas run every weekend.

[hvdragon]

Suzuki Swift 1.0 39kW
standard tires 155/70 R13
200kg people and luggage

City - 5.0l/100km or 58.8mpg US
Highway - 4.0l/100km or 47.04mpg US

Regularly use red Redex - addition to gasoline.

[lurker]

i'm seeing talk on other car forums of replacing mirrors with video cameras and lcd screens. this solution is high tech and violates budget constraints (the idea is to save money after all) and my "simpler is better" ethos. video cameras are not in my metro future, but i do wonder if it's possible to use smaller mirrors or position them better.

[atleastitsnotaford]

I you want to run it faster, build it to go faster, you won't get as good of mileage as going slower, but you can still get better than that.

What, exactly does that mean? I know that in my 1988 Sprint Metro (the Sprint version of the XFI) the 52MPG that I would get at 65mph would drop precipitously if I pushed it faster. I'm expecting to do a lot of driving at 70-75. (Possibly as high as 80 in New Mexico.) And I am in the market for an 89-94 XFI, I think. But at those speeds, might the regular 5 spd coupe do better on fuel? My Sprint would often be unable to maintain those speeds into a headwind and/or up any sort of hill. The extra power in my current 92 Metro automatic sedan is noticeable, by comparison, and a nice luxury.

Oh, and hello fellow Oklahoman. I live in OKC and used to make the Dallas run every weekend.

If a car is built to run 55 (metro xfi), and you run it at 55 it will get excellent mileage (60+) as it's torque peaks in that general area, and that's where it has the lowest bsfc (amount of fuel burn per horsepower) and thus peak efficiency. if you take that same car at 70, you are at a higher rpm, engine load, and bsfc (lower efficiency) if you modify the engine so that its lowest bsfc is at the speed and load of the engine at 70, then it will get better mileage at 70.

keep in mind that at 70, your engine is doing more work, and thus burns more fuel, but and engine tuned to run at 70 will do better at 70 than one tuned to run at 55 running at 70
also an engine tuned to run at 70 will do worse at 55 than an engine tuned to run at 55 running at 55

does this make more sense?

[atleastitsnotaford]

i'm seeing talk on other car forums of replacing mirrors with video cameras and lcd screens. this solution is high tech and violates budget constraints (the idea is to save money after all) and my "simpler is better" ethos. video cameras are not in my metro future, but i do wonder if it's possible to use smaller mirrors or position them better.

yes
You may have to fabricate a mount for one, but a moped/motorcycle mirror will have less drag, as will mounting it on a skinny arm, as opposed to up against the body like the oem ones.
make sure it's DOT approved, check local inspection laws, and keep in mind a smaller mirror with less drag, comes with a smaller size that lets you see less too!

[apb]

Well having just recently gotten a '98 5spd 1.0L Metro I have been trying to get the mileage up. The latest is some 300+ miles around SoCal, most on freeways with an adverage of 45.3. I have been doing 60 -65 most of the time as I don't dare go any slower due to the traffic.

I just installed some lighter rims and have fashioned a grill block out of foam. The foam is a little rough and I plan to make something smoother in the near future. There seem to be no problems with temperature due to the block but it has not been really hot lately. We did get a couple of days in the 90's.

Hoping I can find a few more MPG hiding in there somewhere.

Archie

[Metrojunkie]

I just installed some lighter rims and have fashioned a grill block out of foam. The foam is a little rough and I plan to make something smoother in the near future. There seem to be no problems with temperature due to the block but it has not been really hot lately. We did get a couple of days in the 90's.


What is the foam block in the front supposed to do?

[Metromad]

...a grill block out of foam. The foam is a little rough and I plan to make something smoother in the near future.

What is the foam block in the front supposed to do?

He is talking about blocking off the holes in the bumper cover and the gap between the hood and the bumper cover. This reduces some drag. You can also fashion some clear lexan covers to go over the headlights to reduce some drag as well. Be careful blocking airflow though, you could wind up with an engine cooling problem on warmer days.

[Metrojunkie]

A HA! so thats it. I guess it wont hurt to try. thanks for answering my question. Sometimes the obvious and simple escapes me.

[earthbuilder]

I have a stock 2000 3-cylinder metro. Drive mostly in town in Chicago. Flat but crowded. In 6 months, I have maintained 40+ mpg, and haven't done rotors, wires, etc..