So with gas prices being the way they are and considering that the newest fad is "greening" everything (especially those Hollywood hypocrites who step out of their private planes and 50,000 SF mansions to tell everyone how wasteful people are), I thought I'd run a small gas mileage experiment for a week (which I have nicknamed my "good behavior week" and no, I'm not mixing regular with premium).

I already average about 22 mpg but for this entire week, I've gone to the following extreme measures:

-gentle starts and acceleration with no hard braking
-upshifts at 2500 RPM
-windows up most of the time
-minimal use of the AC
-ensured proper tire inflation (35 lbs all around)
-skipped gears while upshifting
-avoided downshifting when possible
-stay inside 65 mph on the highway, 45 mph in the city (this one is the most difficult to stick to)
-cut off the engine when I sit at a light for an extended period
-coast in neutral when possible

So far, for the past five days, I'm averaging 24.5 mpg. That's a 50 mile gain and almost a day and a half of extra driving on one tank. Yes, THE most difficult thing is sticking to the self imposed mph limits but one great side effect (besides the increased mpg) is that I feel more relaxed when I drive and when I get to my destination (and yes, I've been mostly staying in the right lane).

So for those who complain about gas prices and the Z's alleged bad gas mileage, there are some simple steps to take for less trips to the pump. Oh, and for the whiny noobahs, for Heaven's sake, DON'T PUT ANYTHING LESS THAN PREMIUM IN YOUR CAR!

 

tried and true methods
it would be hard for me to stay disciplined enough to keep doing that.

i thought it was better to coast in gear not neutral for gas savings. i think it's been debated a couple of times on these forums. probably a minimal difference anyway.

 

I've heard from numerous articles and research that having the windows rolled up versus using A/C doesn't really effect gas mileage all that much. But who knows.

 

The extra 2.5mpg you are gaining to me is not worth driving the car like a little whiney girl. If the car is going to be driven like that then just get a prius. Our cars are meant to actually be driven.

 

i would assume that is dependent on how much drag is created when the windows are down, which is different for every car and at different speeds. amount of fuel to overcome drag vs amount of fuel to spin the compressor

OP: you may want to remove as much weight as possible too

 

Yeah but it's just an experiment, I doubt he's gonna drive like a grandma forever. And if he does, that's his choice.

 

i like 3rd gear tire chirps to much....

 

For fuel-injected cars, coasting in gear allows the computer to cut the injector time to zero (or nearly so), so that the engine is still turning over, but it's because of momentum -- not fuel. People have traces from multiple car models showing this to be the case -- and Nissan was actually one of the first to do this (back in 1986 with the Nissan Hardbody pickup with the 3.0L V6).

The people who have done tests show that, below 40 MPH it's better to have the windows down. Above 45 MPH, aerodynamic drag with the windows down is higher than the mechanical drag of the A/C compressor, so it's better to run the A/C on the highway, and open windows in the city.

 

It is just an experiment. But still, after this week, I will do the small things, i.e., watching speed, limiting acceleration, tire inflation, etc., that don't preclude me from having some fun from time to time.

Lastly, I'm always amused at the "you aren't driving the way it's meant to be driven" responses from people who think that they've been appointed to be the deciderer (thanks Mr. President) of how Zs are meant to be driven.

 

I'm totally with you on trying to make the Z's mileage extend out. I have to say though..on the highway I feel like a sitting duck when I drive in the slow lane or even the lane next to it. To many big trucks hauling *** with the potential for major rocks flying up at me...and also the many speeders that weave in and out of traffic coming up so fast on me makes me really nervous. Sad to say but in the last two weeks I've started driving my Honda to work again and am leaving the Z for just weekends.

 

ya i tried to shift at 3k but ever since i got my exhaust i just can't do it. I SPEED of at a light, shift at at least 4k cruise at 3k heel-toe downshift in traffic and basically get my money's worth out of my car and gas. I love my Z and if i drove like a grandma it wouldn't be worth it.

cool idea with the experiement tho. Save the whales!

 

I've tried that whole thing shifting at 3K RPM, but its hard when you see a station wagon flooring it next to you

 

First, I am not an expert, but I think that you may use more fuel starting the car than you would at a pleasant idle at a stoplight? Any Thoughts on That?

 

so in other words your driving your fun sports car like a vespa.


Gas kills my pockets too but if i wanted to complain id sell it and get a prius or something else

 

I drive a lot of interstate and hwy. I average 24 mpg. Usually shift at 3500 rpms, and drive at 70ish on the interstate.

 

I never said I was the "deciderer" of how the Z is meant to be driven. I'm just saying that if one is going to drice the car unltra conservatively like that, then there are MUCH more economical choices out there to save 2 or 3 times as much money on gas while still providing the same function.

 

driving with the windows up and no A/C... i bet that was fun lol In florida you would pass out before you made it home.

 

I agree with this, you wont be at a light long enough to reap the benefits of turning your car off. you'll waste more gas during the startup.

I would only turn it off if you know you're going to be there for a while, like if you get stopped by a train or one of those bridges that goes up to let ships through.

 

Before I went to 3.9 gears I averaged high 20's on the highway and with a good mix about 24ish with normal driving. But I drive pretty regularly in daily traffic any ways. Maybe some spirited acceleration onto on and off ramps but otherwise staying in the middle of traffic (so as to avoid speeding tickets) and get pretty good mileage. For a sports car I think this thing is pretty amazing on gas. I just filled up the other day and am testing the mileage for real with the gears so I'll let everyone know what my gas mileage is like now (mostly highway-which is just under 3k RPM's now with the gears, ).

 

There is this section in the owner's manual that tells you a gas efficient way of driving your car. I remember a line that stated that you can be in 6th gear at 37 -40 mph. I get about 24-26 average in Cali. It gets to 26 when i drive to work 30 miles away (mostly freeway) for a whole week, and goes down when i do city driving in the weekend. I find that its more efficient around 75 to 80 mph. 60 to 65 not so much. maybe because there's a lot of hills around my area and the momentum of the car plays a part in gas mileage.