DCFIVER

Pretty much any modern auto is a lean burner these days. This is,among other things,one of the reasons cars have improved MPG......

Nave43

The crazy part is that these cars can still get better gas mileage than most modern hybrids.

MAD_MIKE

Not really, the older Civics with Lean Burn were not Calif certified and were not sold here. Due to the lean burn function the NOx emissions are quite high.

Modern vehicles with DBW allow the PCM to control actual throttle angle. Which allows for much more refined control of the engine while not requiring manual input from the operator.

Before initiated cruise control the ECU would mainly just try to match vehicle speed and do its best by using a few inputs. Now PCMs can advance timing, pull fuel and open the throttle to increase fuel economy while reducing pumping losses(opening the throttle) without increasing engine speed, and while maintaining clean emissions.

Manufactures have had to make the cars stronger(heavier) to meet new crash standards. Meet cleaner emissions restrictions, all the while providing economy and the latest in added doo-dads and other electro wizardry bullshit to entertain customers who can't peel their face away from a screen.

Inifinitys new ads really capture the jackassery that new cars now have to do to keep up, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cameras, automated parking, and other nanny nonsense that a person operating a vehicle should be aware of normally anyway. All this added junk adds weight. While removing driver responsibility.

So although the MPG numbers are not an impressive leap forward, considering increased weight, safety, reduced emissions and smaller engines used. There has been a great leap forward, but it's nothing that is normally advertised or even published at times.

Nave43

Touche' my friend. When you put it like that you definitely have a valid point. If these cars were designed specifically with MPG in mind they could out perform those older vehicles. Otherwise most new cars only get 40MPG or so. Thusly while those older vehicles did have higher emissions and things of that sort. The MPG rateing in it self was competitive if not higher than what they are now.

lazlong

@ MAD MIKE: Aerodynamics seems important too. Have you noticed how all the cars, at least the sedans, are kinda all shaped the same?

For what it's worth ULEV's that are C.A.R.B. approved are sold outside CA. My last 3 Hondas have been C.A.R.B. approved. Don't know if they are all made that way though.

DCFIVER

CA is the only state in the Union that can set their own emissions laws that can supersede federal laws.(I think like 7 states have adopted CAs standards) Because of this, most if not all cars built today meet CA standards first and are then approved for the remaining 49 states.

Spaceballsthelunchbox

Actually it's the opposite. Use the brakes the least possible, the more you use the brakes the more energy you waste. Anticipate and let the car coast to red lights. Give yourself PLENTY of room away from the car in front of you and watch the traffic.

Yo have to use the accelerator to get going, try to use the brakes as little as possible, you'll find yourself hypermiling.

Canucksfan101

Most people overlook this but using cruise control does help significantly! I use to get about 420 clicks on my Honda accord 2002 4cyl and using cruise I was able to obtain almost 500 + and also when driving in city try not to brake that often (I usually slow down and come to a almost rolling stop so the car never stops)

300K Honda

I added about 2psi of air and switched from 10w-30 oil to 5w-30 and saw around a 1-2 mpg increase. Maybe that is something simple you could try? Just be careful not to inflate your tires too much because that will cause more aggressive wear on your tires.

MAD_MIKE

This has been coming for a while.
Late 70s we started to see bricks.
Mid 80's pointed bricks
Early 90's rounded pointy bricks.
They have been shaping closer and closer to a wedge shape. When was the last 'notch' style coupe made?

Funny thing is some of the bricks of the 80's had some decent aero on there trailing edge. Look at the Chevy Volt. It has that crease/edge before the end of the car. This promotes laminar airflow over the car as well as a clean break from the car. This reduces drag. There are several 80's cars with a similar feature, not sure if it was for styling or someone sneaked that in. Some 80's Oldsmobiles had that crease, very subtle. Not sure if it was just a styling cue or engineered in.

If it is a U.L.E.V. car it has met the strictest of current emissions testing(CA) so they will all most likely be C.A.R.B. approved.

Not quite true. There are still variances between '50 state', 'Federal' and 'High Altitude' vehicles. These all require their own mapping, programing and testing to meet those areas. Fuel type availability is also a factor. Here in Calif we have 91 Octane as the Premium.

Yup."If you are using your brakes, you are going to fast."

There are a couple roads around here with really well timed lights. But most folks go flying up and down them. One road is a 30MPH limit going up hill. At the first green at the bottom of the hill if you maintain 30MPH you will hit every green light for the next 1.5 miles. It can be amusing, people get so pissed that you are doing the limit, and the smoke that pours out of their ears at the next light while they are stopped and you cruise by without a change in speed.

For best mileage, when the tires are COLD(early morning no sun on them, havent been driven on) check the tire pressure. Inflate them to the 'maximum' pressure that the tire sidewall has. Most tires seem to be around the 44PSI(car, non performance).
That oil doesn't matter at full heat.
5W is for winter when it is cold, the oil is more fluid flowable than a 10W at the same cold temps. Great for cold starting. But once both oils are up to normal temp they will act as a 30 weight oil. That is what the numbers mean.
If you want a lighter oil you would switch to a 20 weight, like 5W 20. Now if you live in a cold climate and take short trips then a 0W or 5W would be best as the engine will not have to fight against a molases goo of oil.

As for tips.
With return style fuel systems, the lower the tank is, the more heated the fuel will be as it is returned from the fuel rail after being in the engine bay.
This recirculation affects the fuel causing it to heat up.
If you drive down the 'E' all the time, the last 1/4 tank of fuel will give you the worst mileage.

Always try to fill up before 1/4 mark.
Forgot this myself and started doing it again. Bumped my mileage up 2MPGs.
~33MPG average now.

DCFIVER

No there aren't,and haven't been for probably the last 15 years,or more The variations proved to be too expensive, it is simpler to make sure a car will pass CA emissions, as their emissions program is the strictest in the nation. The only vehicles that are not made to CA emissions compliance,are some light duty desieltrucks over 10,000 lbs. They typically only meet federal guide lines.


As for "mapping" that hasn't been done for decades. The modern PCMs adapt on the fly and the only "mapping" they have are limp modes. Altitude and octane rating are easily adaptable variables these days....