Calling Texans & Other Hill Country States

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I've played around with the various modes on the CR-Z and have determined there is absolutely no way (with the roads I have to drive on in Austin, Texas) that I am going to achieve a city MPG of over 30-31 MPG.

Anyone else have any experience with the constant uphill battle? I just decided to say F- it, and drive "spirited," rather than bothering watching the MPGs now - and I usually end up with 29-30 anyway.

Thanks for your feedback in advance.

[CR-Z Canadian]

So, your commute is uphill both ways?
I have a couple big moraines on my daily commute, one of which starts out at city speed, but limit goes up to rural highway speed half way up (who's dumb idea was that, anyway?). And yes, its a killer, but the other side of the crest makes up for it.
Not quite the same, I know, but it still nets me an average 5l/100km (45 MPG US).
Are you CVT or 6MT?

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Originally Posted by CR-Z Canadian

So, your commute is uphill both ways?
I have a couple big moraines on my daily commute, one of which starts out at city speed, but limit goes up to rural highway speed half way up (who's dumb idea was that, anyway?). And yes, its a killer, but the other side of the crest makes up for it.
Not quite the same, I know, but it still nets me an average 5l/100km (45 MPG US).
Are you CVT or 6MT?

Sometimes it literally feels like it's uphill both ways, lol. Unfortunately, my trip to work is very short - so my main commute doesn't really contribute well to my MPG.
Unfortunately, all of my driving is in city - I really don't have any major highways that lead me anywhere for longer than a short couple of miles. I'm really hoping to gain more information on how to maximize city driving.

I'm a CVT.

[Scotty001]

Originally Posted by Widget

I've played around with the various modes on the CR-Z and have determined there is absolutely no way (with the roads I have to drive on in Austin, Texas) that I am going to achieve a city MPG of over 30-31 MPG.

Anyone else have any experience with the constant uphill battle? I just decided to say F- it, and drive "spirited," rather than bothering watching the MPGs now - and I usually end up with 29-30 anyway.

Thanks for your feedback in advance.

My 6-7 mile commute back and forth to work has several elevation changes from sea level to 500ft or so. Some pretty steep and some 1 or 2 mile long grades. I average 34 mostly in sport. I can get 38 in econ - but that is no fun.

[mdbrich]

2222 is killer, that massive uphill slope

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Originally Posted by mdbrich

2222 is killer, that massive uphill slope

35 also has it's moments as well. Irritating.

I'm not sure what I am doing wrong to only be able to achieve such poor mileage.
Oh well - it's better than the 16 I was getting before

[Scotty001]

Originally Posted by Widget

.. Oh well - it's better than the 16 I was getting before

16 to 29-30 is big bucks over time..

If I had one piece of advice - when going down a long low grade elevation change - The one you went up before - then put it in Econ with just enough gas to keep it at speed and watching your real time MPG meter trying to keep it as close to 100 as possible. Econ with the lower RPM does not provide as much "engine breaking" as Sport.

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Originally Posted by Scotty001

16 to 29-30 is big bucks over time..

If I had one piece of advice - when going down a long low grade elevation change - The one you went up before - then put it in Econ with just enough gas to keep it at speed and watching your real time MPG meter trying to keep it as close to 100 as possible. Econ with the lower RPM does not provide as much "engine breaking" as Sport.

So you switch between modes a lot while you are driving?
I usually just pop it in "7th" gear - is econ still better?

[Scotty001]

^ Wouldn't say I switch a lot - But yea - if on a long fairly straight down hill grade - I'll reach over and hit ECON and watch the MPG go up.

Only use the paddles infrequently when myself and the wife go cruising through the twisties for fun and never get to 7th for some reason.

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Originally Posted by Scotty001

^ Wouldn't say I switch a lot - But yea - if on a long fairly straight down hill grade - I'll reach over and hit ECON and watch the MPG go up.

Only use the paddles infrequently when myself and the wife go cruising through the twisties for fun and never get to 7th for some reason.

Ah, whenever I am in sport - I use the paddles. Otherwise I'll stay in normal.

Love the paddle shifters