How To Drive Fuel Efficiently?

[jagatron]

Not really specific to the Aygo, but maybe it is with the small engine.

If one can maintain the same speed in 2 or 3 different gears, how to choose which reduces fuel economy?

And is this the same choice when going up a hill, down, or flat?

I'm planning to buy a scangauge to "learn" how to drive more effectively, but I don't really know what is best.

[Jan van de Wouw]

A ScanGauge will be a good help, but usually you'd choose

the highest gear at which the engine doesn't struggle.

With my ScanGauge I've found that 2000rpm seems to be a

"sweetspot" in most gears; i.e. a spot where my economy is best...

[daveyjp]

20mph 2nd, 30mph 3rd, 40mph 4th, 50mph 5th gives loads of flexibility when driving the car and also sees us getting a minimum of 45mpg. It also reduces gearchanges which can only be good for clutch life.

[hertsnminds]

In general at the same speed, a lower gear = higher revs = more fuel use. However if you are going up hill and you have to press the accelerator more (by staying in the same gear) then you are using more fuel so changing down a gear and pressing the accelerator less may compensate for the extra fuel used in a higher gear.

[TonyAYGO]

whats the easiest way to calculate mpg guys?

[gordonh]

Distance / fuel * 4.54 = mpg

[manalishi]

Interesting thread. New owner, so I haven't got any figures yet, but I'm hoping for 50mpg+.

Not sure what that Scangauge is (time to Google...) but I will definitely add a rev counter. This is the first car I've had without one and I feel alarmingly underinformed! :)

[Cyker]

I generally judge it by how much I have to press down the accelerator :)

But I've also been told that 2000rpm, which is the start of the max-torque run on my diesel Yaris, is the most efficient so I'm not 100% sure

I must admit I tend to roll around in 4th when at 30mph, which is a lot less than 2000rpm!

I'm also thinking of getting a Scangauge for other reasons (Inaccurate fuel readings) so if anyone finds them at a good price or does a bulk buy, let me know! :)

[weevicky]

To get a good mph:

Don't put a massive double sub in the back wuith a high powered amp and add Speakers like I did

Add alloys

drive around in circles

only use it when possible.

continue driving down hills where possible :)