Fuel vs Fun challenge
Discussion
Over the last 2 weeks I've conducted a small experiment. In the first week I drove as economically as I possibly could, I averaged 52 mpg in my 1.2 micra. I came very close to having a hernia from boredom.
I then decided that this week, I would rev the little beggar to death and generally have fun wherever and whenever I was driving (keeping to speed limits of course, officer). This resulted in a calculated average of 17 mpg and many many smiles per gallon. For me, on this occasion, it was definately worth it, I haven't bothered calculating the cost of my fun, and haven't bothered including any outside factors in this wildly scientific test, it however inspired me to ask a few questions. How much, over the course of a week can you reduce your average fuel consumption by, and do you consider it worth it for the amusement?
I then decided that this week, I would rev the little beggar to death and generally have fun wherever and whenever I was driving (keeping to speed limits of course, officer). This resulted in a calculated average of 17 mpg and many many smiles per gallon. For me, on this occasion, it was definately worth it, I haven't bothered calculating the cost of my fun, and haven't bothered including any outside factors in this wildly scientific test, it however inspired me to ask a few questions. How much, over the course of a week can you reduce your average fuel consumption by, and do you consider it worth it for the amusement?
When i bought my new car mx5 last month i filled up to see the range so drove sensible got 400km per tank since the last fill up ive drove like a tit and done 320km and still got a bit left in the tank. The last month has defenitly been more fun to drive allthough work has negated any of that fun.
So doesn't make a huge difference if i drive sensible or like a tit but being only a 10 mile commute a tank normaly lasts a month.
So doesn't make a huge difference if i drive sensible or like a tit but being only a 10 mile commute a tank normaly lasts a month.
if i dive my Clio 172 economically I can get over 40 MPG and to be honest it can be quite fun having to predict what everyone else is doing and trying to figure out the point at which to start decelerating etc.
If i drive enthusiastically i get just over 30 mpg which is quite good i think.
If i drive enthusiastically i get just over 30 mpg which is quite good i think.
Your engine will probably appreciate a decent Italian tune-up anyway. Burn the carbon off and bake the catalyst to get rid of the crud. I always find it really satisfying going 2-3-4-5 right through maximum revs, just changing up before the limiter. 1st is too low ratio for roads.
The interesting bit starts now. Somewhere between 17 and 52 is the sweet spot. If you can keep the throttle below 75% or so, you can still make good progress whilst not going into open loop control in the engine management. Basically it shovels a load more fuel in for a tiny bit more power. Life is too short for 52mpg unless you are being paid by the hour.
The interesting bit starts now. Somewhere between 17 and 52 is the sweet spot. If you can keep the throttle below 75% or so, you can still make good progress whilst not going into open loop control in the engine management. Basically it shovels a load more fuel in for a tiny bit more power. Life is too short for 52mpg unless you are being paid by the hour.
The Caterham- high 20s driving economically on the road, low 20s driving fast on the road, about 12mpg at 100% on track. All the while you get the aural pleasure of the twin webers pointing out of the bonnet and the exhaust poking out of the passengers side. The smell is great too- open oil breathers and partially burned fuel.
BFG TERRANO said:
Mpg with foot hard down- 10-15 ish. I'm very suprised to see a 1.2 micra can drop to 17 mpg.
unsurprisingly so was I:-D if in not driving like a granny, I average around 42 mpg, with a Normal commute of 15 miles country road and 3 in Aberdeen both ways, 5 days a week. And 2 days of 14 miles each way country roads to work in Dyce. It frequently does runs to Braemar, Ballater, and Fort William for climbing, so is rather heavily laden with all my gear.:-) that does probably make a sizeable difference.HustleRussell said:
The Caterham- high 20s driving economically on the road, low 20s driving fast on the road, about 12mpg at 100% on track. All the while you get the aural pleasure of the twin webers pointing out of the bonnet and the exhaust poking out of the passengers side. The smell is great too- open oil breathers and partially burned fuel.
chongwong said:
HustleRussell said:
The Caterham- high 20s driving economically on the road, low 20s driving fast on the road, about 12mpg at 100% on track. All the while you get the aural pleasure of the twin webers pointing out of the bonnet and the exhaust poking out of the passengers side. The smell is great too- open oil breathers and partially burned fuel.
glad you liked it! The only video which comes close to doing the sound justice is this one
http://vimeo.com/14401827
From wet Brands Hatch during my first season (2010). From the amount of oppo I was using it's now obvious to me that I was over-driving, but it was good fun while it lasted. This was the first race I ever led. The sound of the car on partial throttle around clear ways is pretty nice IMO...
That has brightened up a very dull day at work, cheers:-D In a few months i should be proud owner of an Robin Hood 2B, if a family friend manages to convince his OH that they desperately need something quicker. Fair enough it won't be of the calibre of your 7, but it should be good for a first taste of kit cars
I have the interesting situation where it doesn't seem to make a massive difference! The 328i's record is 36.3mpg, on a 400-mile motorway run. While up in Scotland I met a fellow PHer with the same car, and we went absolutely mental in the back roads for 200 miles or so. The result? 26.3mpg. So no, I really don't worry about giving her all the beans when appropriate, because with the pace and that noise it's very much worth it!
In this car I've often found that the driving cycle affects it hugely - I've got that same 26mpg by driving gently enough, but doing short trips around town - but the amount of boot I put in? Not so much. Which is fine by me
In this car I've often found that the driving cycle affects it hugely - I've got that same 26mpg by driving gently enough, but doing short trips around town - but the amount of boot I put in? Not so much. Which is fine by me
HustleRussell said:
The Caterham- high 20s driving economically on the road, low 20s driving fast on the road, about 12mpg at 100% on track. All the while you get the aural pleasure of the twin webers pointing out of the bonnet and the exhaust poking out of the passengers side. The smell is great too- open oil breathers and partially burned fuel.
I know exactly what you mean, smells like victory!!!chongwong said:
Over the last 2 weeks I've conducted a small experiment. In the first week I drove as economically as I possibly could, I averaged 52 mpg in my 1.2 micra. I came very close to having a hernia from boredom.
I then decided that this week, I would rev the little beggar to death and generally have fun wherever and whenever I was driving (keeping to speed limits of course, officer). This resulted in a calculated average of 17 mpg and many many smiles per gallon. For me, on this occasion, it was definately worth it, I haven't bothered calculating the cost of my fun, and haven't bothered including any outside factors in this wildly scientific test, it however inspired me to ask a few questions. How much, over the course of a week can you reduce your average fuel consumption by, and do you consider it worth it for the amusement?
I'm amazed you can get a Micra to return such a low MPG. Even when absolutely caning it, my Clio 182 refuses to drop below 30mpg.I then decided that this week, I would rev the little beggar to death and generally have fun wherever and whenever I was driving (keeping to speed limits of course, officer). This resulted in a calculated average of 17 mpg and many many smiles per gallon. For me, on this occasion, it was definately worth it, I haven't bothered calculating the cost of my fun, and haven't bothered including any outside factors in this wildly scientific test, it however inspired me to ask a few questions. How much, over the course of a week can you reduce your average fuel consumption by, and do you consider it worth it for the amusement?
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