NYC993

I know...who cares about mpg, but I'm more interested in technical background for the following observation.

It seems to be very hard to get respectable mileage out of the car. I know...old air-cooled engine. I've never managed to get more than 19mpg.

Then I drove it rather aggressively on one tank, thinking I would be in low teens. To my surprise it was 16+mpg.

So when driving normally, do you drive in 2-3k rpm or 3-4k rpm range and what kind of MPG do you average?

Ed Hughes

I typically get 16mpg. The car is too fun to drive at 2-3k, and those rpm's probably are too low for longevity out of these motors.

Rarely sees freeways. If I go on a long trip, like to Monterey, I can push close to 25mpg.

mr_bock

Don't drive at low rpm's!!!!! These engines were designed to rev up and be happy. If you 'lug it' you may be asking for SAI clogging.

If you are concerned about mpg, get a Kia... or something.

richardew

I've put on a few road miles. I usually get ~22 mpg on the highway no matter how I drive. In the city, ~16. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm thrashing it or just cruising.

Kika

I have gotten as little as 12 and as high as 24.

12 is a lot more fun than 24.

Average is around 20. I could get better, but it really hard to cruise at 60 on the fwy.

NYC993

In what rpm range do you drive on a highway at constant speed?

NYC993

You meant Prius? Yes, I read not to lug it, so trying to figure out the optimal range for cruising around. Unfortunately, many times the driving style is dictated by cars around you.

Kika

2300 rpm in US 6th gear is around 60 mph.

I find it tough to cruise in the 993 that low...

That is a combination of if you are doing 60 on the Fwys around here, it is just plain unsafe, everyone is gong faster...

Take a look at the torque curve for the 3.6, it wants to be in the 4-5500rpm range to be happy!

Rick-A-Shay

As an aside, the owner's manual outlines the recommended shift points in RPM. I rarely get past fifth gear regardless of gas mieiage unless going down hill. Looking back at the Carrera 3.2, to encourage "best" gas mileage, a yellow idiot light would come on, suggesting that you upshift at a ridiculously low RPMs.

Monkey Brain

Interesting post. I too wonder where I 'should' be on the rpm stick to extend the life of the engine. Going back to Rich's (300k miles) post, it sounds like you need to get the rpms up there quite a bit.

Rich, where do you find the rpms at most often?

I need to look at my manual.

trophy

I have seen as high as 26mpg on the highway and as low as 6mpg on the track.... As above 6mpg was ALOT more fun

tctung

My '94 C2 Tip can do 26 mpg on freeway at 65 mph constant.

Foxtastic

I'm not as interested in mpg optimization (and it looks like the thread is already starting to compare different sized gallons....!), but I'm interested in knowing the optimal rpm range to keep the engine in and what the recommended warm up procedure is before pulling away.

EckFe1

My last tank got me 425 US miles and an average of 23mph. I could have done better as I was driving for hours in a heavy rainstorm but from time to time the rain stopped and I was on the gas again.
It was no fun with less then minimal tread on the rears. I had 1 gallon left in the tank when I filled her up.
Ed

Monkey Brain

+1