The techniques regarding steady and lower speeds to improve mpg have been well posted here.
Wonder how many use the 'racer's line' to improve mpg, get longer tire and brake life, as well as improve comfortable average speed.

 

I use the 'racer's line' to improve entrance/exit speed of the corner, without additional throttle input... always staying in my turn lane - of course. If I am able to not slow down much for a corner - that is less brake usage, which translates into less throttle usage == better fuel economy.

When I turn into my neighborhood from the commute home, it is a right-hand turn. The turn is a VERY wide right then left chicane. I usually make the turn at 15 MPH, quick pulse up to 20-22 MPH, then shift into neutral for the left-portion of the chicane and subsequent 1/4 mile glide to the stop sign. By the time I get to the stop sign I am still traveling at about 20 MPH.

The days long past of my more 'spirited' driving have certainly helped me to become a better driver for fuel economy.

 

Sounds like fun AppleMac.

Question. If you're hitting the stop sign at 20mph (and are actually stopping) should't you have kept your ride in gear and let DFCO handle it?

O'yea, I'm not hating, just learing!

--D

 

I use it. I get to use it quite a bit, because I drive on lightly traveled roads and also late at night. I don't know about saving my tires though; all those howling noises they make sorta belie that theory.

 

Ahmen brotha!! I have to admit, one of my favorite things to do in this ride is 90 degree L's & R's. Hard not to stuff my right foot at the apex though.

I was doing the same lines I got used to in the Fit with the wifes Lexus GX470 today. Sweet ride I have to admit, but literally felt like a tank. Each input was forced.

Uhhhh. Wait...This is the Eco forum right?
--D

 

I've never heard this term before, anyone give me a quick 2 sentence description?
IMO the best way to save gas is to coast in neutral up to a traffic light (from a lengthy distance).. some people actually get pissed and pass me lol. I wonder how stupid they feel when we meet at the red light and they've been there 10 seconds longer than me just waiting.

I also try and maintain speed under 1700 RPM (but dont lug it!) and downshift to save brakes.

 

If turning right, start from the left side of the lane when approaching the turn. Aim so your right rear wheel gets as close as possible to the "point" of the corner. Drift to the left side of the lane when leaving the turn. Mirror image for turning left.

Sorry, that was four sentences.

--Barry

 

Just because I drive slow doesn't mean I don't take the corners as fast as I can, especially off ramps of the intersate. I love taking corners quick and do it on every coner I can ,usually with the car off for the max FE.

 

Yeah. I stop for the stop sign. I suppose I should have made that one clear.

I could let DFCO handle it, but then I wouldn't make it all the way to the stop sign... it's a long coast. I'm still getting infinite fuel economy for that portion since I have the engine off. Plus, coasting with the engine off doesn't hold up traffic, as DFCO might.

 

why stop? :P

 

I'm sorry, i'm new to the forum, and if it were possible...can someone please provide a list of the acronyms that are used here? I would love to learn from any techniques possible! Nashville Auto-Diesel College taught me a lot, but I am not familiar with many of the terms created. College just taught me basics... Thanks!

 

The offramp I take on my morning commute is a nice long sweeper... Most people slow down to about 35-40, sometimes less. I can stay on it going 55-60 and DFCO a good 1/2 mile to the stop light.

 

CleanMPG Forums - Glossary

 

There is no 2 sentence description. As simplified as possible its traveling the straightest path thru any corner or set of crners to save brakes, gas, and tires. And while racers use all the road, street drivers use only their side of the road. In a right hand turn it means starting near the centerline and curving across to the right hand edge then curving outward to end up at the centerline again aimed at the next corner. Where you 'touch' the right hand outside edge is called the 'apex' of a corner. Depending on the curve that apex may be slightly on the entry side or slightly on the exit side of the path through the corner. Left hand turns are the mirror image.
S curves are merely the straightest line you can travel thru the curves. More often than not it does not use the as-far-outside entry to apex to as-far-as-outside exit path used in curves.
The racer line is a lot more complicated than that simple description; your library will likely have a book or two on the subject. Alan Johnson's is among the best. Many things such as the actual radius, inclines, downhills, and decreasing or increasing radius, wind, road surface, among a long list, all influence the path actually traveled. But if you want to be a skilled driver thats what you need to learn.
Its called the racer's line because it affords the fastest time thru the corner and the least wear on tires, brakes, and gas. You won't learn in the midway between the lines school courses but if you did you'd be a lot less likely to have an accident.
Next time you see a motorcycle race on ESPN watch how the cycles sweep back anf forth across the track as they make their laps.
If you want to see what it looks like inside a car go to you tubes "hyundai sundae" video. Pay close attention to the path thru the uphill esses compared to other turns.
You can also attend any of the number of high performance driving schools with your safe car to have an onboard instructor and classroom lectures guide you in the learning efforts. You don't have to have a race car; just a safe one. Some of my best students have driven Sprites and Pintos. Its not how fast you drive its how well. Fast comes with skill, not with daring.
Your turn. Cheers.

 

Driving w/o brakes for sure. I tried many a tech, and some work, some may be experimental bias, but DWB is absolutely the best technique. I wrote an entire thread (or two) on it. Basically my tank would normally be 270-310. DWB consistently got me 320-340 miles per tank.

 

The racer's line eh? The best way to explain this is. When you stick to the left side and turn right with a path as wide as you can (usually in a circular path is best, but not always, depends on the curve). The reason why this works is because tires can absorb only so much side movements until they loose traction. So the best thing to do is give it a wide circular path, resulting in good traction and least side movement on the tires. Usually, side movements on tires get absorbed into the tires, which creates inefficiencies if elasticticity of the tires can't keep up. Also, racer's line helps reduce tire wear if used properly.



I don't necessary use the racer's line, but also, I usually keep my speed down before a turn so I would have to use less braking. Sometimes, I don't bother to go above 15 mph in residentials so I can turn without braking. People are sometimes stumped when they see me do it. LOL

 

my last tank completely sucked. only got like 33mpg vs the 40+mpg
the previous tank. im trying to do at least 39mpg this time but already
hit the rev limiter once yesterday.

 

I drove from Huntsville AL to Corinth MS. Then went from Corinth up hwy 45 north to Jackson TN and took 412 to I-195 to MO and then took 55N to St. Louis (in case I might have passed some of you all for reference) this weekend. I drove nothing more than the speed limit the entire drive and I'm close to getting about 42 mpg this trip! No Hyper miling or anything like that either. Sure made me happy!

 

What would you rather replace: worn transmission parts or worn brakes?

 

Keep the sideways G-force as low as possible. LOL