So, was thinking of ways to save a few quid. I've decided to try and eek out my fuel, see if I can improve my MPG on my commute. 

 

My trip to work is 9 miles, 1 mile of 30mph build up area roads, 7 miles of national limit dual carriageway and 1 mile of 30mph industrial estate. Being MK and land of roundabouts this is broken up by 11 fuel sapping roundabouts so it's not as simple as slapping the cruise on at 65mph. I do travel at between 4&6am so I have the bonus of no traffic. 

 

Anyway, I normally average around 35-37mpg but I dont really pay much attention to fuel economy normally, I dont drive very fast or floor it everywhere but there is room for improvement no doubt. So I'm gonna try and see how much I can improve by over the next few days. None of the hyper mile tricks, just smoother driving, trying not to stop and keep rolling a bit and showing some control and not booting it too much. 

 

I'll update tomorrow, feel free to guess what my MPG will be . . . 

42mpg I'd say... surely the engine isn't warm by the time you get work?

Nope, the trip takes me around 15-20 minutes, the engine is just warm as I arrive.  

At that hour you can save some time and wasted braking effort straight lining the roundabouts.

 

Key thing to remember is coasting using engine braking to slow down uses NO fuel, so if you can engine brake from 70mph to say 25mph for the roundabout (will probably take a 1/4 mile of coasting, changing gears down to keep engine braking working) then this will save a lot of fuel.

 

The less stress you put on the tyres during a manouvere will also save a bit, hence the roundabout treatment above.  

 

Ultimately though, key is to be in gear, and get away with as little use of the brake pedal as possible.  It's bloody boring but the fuel economy sure stacks up.

I do a 18mile commute.

 

For the first time ever I got over 40mpg both legs just the other week.

 

In fact I'b been getting 37+ almost every day.

 

I bought Goodyear Efficient tyres recently because they were supposed to be quiet but maybe the green claims aren't snake oil after all.

I did simular in my remapped vrs. Usually get about 47 on motorway not taking my time. Had to take my car to a garage in Manchester with all its geo out so I was doing just under 60 all the way there. Was getting 60mpg!

My Golf driven at a steady 60 can just reach 30mpg. Driven more vigorously can get it down to 7 assuming the MAF is correct (which it seems to be)

 

Its more frequent now that I consider the manner in which i'm driving and although it sounds utter cloth cap, there is a noticable benefit from an increased interest in economical driving. You'll see a small but satisfying difference, especially if you really concentrate on your gears/ throttle control. 

Good Luck Matt

In a kind of perverse way it's actually quite fun! :S

 

i know that if i've got less than 50mpg showing when i get to to work it's been a bad traffic day and if it's showing less than 60mpg wheni get home it's been equally bad

This is my record for the return from work downhill leg

 

As Jason says, straightline the O bouts,  You'll be learning about the "Racing Line as well"    Double bonus!