I want more MPG... (CVT)

[wizkid057]

Greetings!

So, I purchased the 2011 CR-Z EX (CVT) last month. I love it. I think I drive it a bit much, as I already put almost 2500 miles on it...

Anyway, I like the mileage I've been getting on a tank (39.5 MPG US avg). I do probably an even split of interstate and mild city driving. If I work at it, I can get near 50 MPG for a while... but its pretty difficult and only at relatively low speeds (35-50 MPH range seems best). I'm not a "hypermiler" or anything, but, I like squeezing the MPG out of this car. So far it's been fun.

The only thing I've done to the car to improve mileage is pump the tires up a bit. They're all at 42 psi now.

One thing that sucks is that when I put the A/C on its impossible to get high MPG. I can't seem to get higher than 33 MPG with the A/C on... and you kind of need A/C around here...

So without going too crazy, I'm wondering what people have done to get some more MPGs out of the CVT CR-Z...

(Sorry if theres another thread on this... I didn't see any general topic for the CVT...)

[TCroly]

I have found using my a/c costs me 4-5 mpg in fuel economy. Since I live in Hawaii, I generally decide to use the a/c accept 38mpg and give up those extra MPGs. But when I am playing the, let's see how much mpg I can get game, I shut it off and find I can easily exceed 41 mpg in my suburban/city driving.

Someone posted today that he felt the Eco mode helps reduce the negative affects of the a/c on fuel economy.

[Scotty001]

^^ Hey, congrats on your purchase and welcome to the Forum... Can't really help with your question though.. I'm in Sport most the time and enjoying the 34-36 Daily Driving mileage and 38 or so on Trips and the fun of Sport..

But again, welcome to the Forum.. A lot of people here looking to get the best mileage and plenty of threads to peruse.

[Jordan]

Your CVT should have a feature nicknamed 'soft glide'. Say your are starting to go down a moderate hill, you let off the gas and you see a couple bars of charge. Step back on the gas ever so slightly, sometimes it takes a little more pressure. You should see no bars of assist, or charge, the instantaneous MPG should max out. The engine is at this point off, the valves are shut, and you are gliding with minimual mechanical resistance.

[gomarlins3]

Coast as much as possible and drive the speed limit. Those are the things that seem to help me most.

[wizkid057]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the welcomes and replies. I actually took a decent length trip down to the Jersey shore (Wildwood, NJ specifically) from where I live (~80 miles each way) and I did better than usual for that long of a trip. 46.7 MPG, 95% interstate. Best I've personally ever gotten.



Jordan, the "soft glide" feature you mentioned seems to work well, thanks! I've found I need to be *very* steady with the foot to keep it there. I wish there was a way to make this the default for coasting, especially on longer highway trips or when my IMA battery is fully charged (which it was for the majority of the trip).

I did do around the speed limit, maybe +/- 8 MPH most of the way (So, 57-73 MPH). I tried to keep the instant MPG guage around the 50 mpg mark steadily and kind of ignore my speed in favor of constant throttle position. Seemed to get a better result than cruise control.

I tried to "pulse and glide" a bit for the first time with no real luck. It seemed to hurt my MPG actually. I tried with the "soft glide", regen coast, and physically shifting to neutral and I didn't seem to do better than just holding the throttle steady with the instant meter at 50 MPG.

Anyways, I'm having fun. I'll get better over time I hope.

[klynch201]

i get 36 mpg currently..ive been at that for a month, also the best ive gotten since i got the car in february..

but i dont fill up but once every 2 weeks..and my commute to work is a short 10 minute highway drive.. so i think im making out pretty well cause im not using as much gas as most..

thoughts everyone? id also like to get a better MPG reading, but i just dont drive long enough trips/highway to get it!!

[Scotty001]

Originally Posted by klynch201

i get 36 mpg currently..ive been at that for a month, also the best ive gotten since i got the car in february..

Take her out for a longer 100 mile round trip and see what you get...

Originally Posted by klynch201

i dont fill up but once every 2 weeks..and my commute to work is a short 10 minute highway drive.. so i think im making out pretty well cause im not using as much gas as most..

Yea, just enough time for the car to warm up before you park it at work.. I get about the same from-to-work.. should get better as the season warms up..

Originally Posted by klynch201

everyone? id also like to get a better MPG reading, but i just dont drive long enough trips/highway to get it!!

Probably a few ways to increase - a lot of threads here on different tactics.. But I think it is relative - what mileage would/did you get in another ride on the same short commute?

[Colin]

Originally Posted by TCroly

I have found using my a/c costs me 4-5 mpg in fuel economy. Since I live in Hawaii, I generally decide to use the a/c accept 38mpg and give up those extra MPGs. But when I am playing the, let's see how much mpg I can get game, I shut it off and find I can easily exceed 41 mpg in my suburban/city driving.

Someone posted today that he felt the Eco mode helps reduce the negative affects of the a/c on fuel economy.

I'm giving serious thought to adding tint to ours. If the A/C has to work less, I figure the better the fuel economy will be. That said, the thing holding me back is that the car isn't driving that much in the sun, probable weekends only. During the weekdays it's on the road at 7:30 AM and driving home at night.

[klynch201]

scotty - i get usually the same on any short ride.. my average speed is 29 mph..its been that for as long as ive been gettin about 36 mpg.

it goes up to maybe 36.5 when i take a 40 minute highway ride.

i guess theirs nothin i can do about it, summer weather could help, but our winters here are cold so that will bring it on down