Fuel Mileage Increasing with Age

[Have Trumpet Will Travel]

Up on the Blue Ridge Parkway at dawn this morning as planned. A beautiful photo op, had to squeeze my way in with three tripods with the REAL cameras clicking away. Enjoyed a view that can't hardly be beat - got half-a -dozen shots with my little digital at the first two overlooks facing east. Scene was akin to the Great Smokey Mountains with the morning fog below in the Rockfish Valley (VA). Unbelievable - just like the talley on both trip A & trip B when I parked. Total = 174.6 miles, range = 280 miles remaining, average speed 32 mph and average mileage up from 35.3 (at 105 miles), now showing 37.9 with 5/8th's tank left to burn. I figure my first fill-up will be at around 350 miles and will probably hold less than 9 gallons to average around 40 mpg. We have a filling station with premium-grade at 0% Ethanol a mile and a half from the house, so will be using their gasoline exclusively as I've done in the past with my other vehicles that require it. When you consider that the first hour or so of time on my car was on and off the truck, state inspection (idling), etc., of the 5.5 hours now showing, that is very respectable fuel consumption. I look for it to even-out around 42 mpg within the week. Not bad considering the foothill environment around here. As I said in earlier posts, will keep informing of future progress. HTWT.

[Chris]

My cars always increased with age (except for a 71 Volvo Wagon ).

I figured it was the combo of break-in plus learning how to drive the car optimally.
I get less now on the Fiat tank to tanlk but that's only because I'm lead-footing it lately

[shil]

As I get older I'm buying slower cars, so yes.

[cmj912]

My car started getting better mileage at about 2k. Went up a couple of MPGs; I didn't change my driving style...

[59Imperial]

I have had my 2012 500c manual for almost 4 weeks now and have put on a little over 4,000 miles. I have a daily commute of 108 miles (more if running errands). This is mostly freeway driving with some up hill country roads towards the end of the trip. I have been getting right around 45 miles per gallon. I drove it a bit hard from San Diego to San Francisco with two people in the car, luggage and the A/C running most of the time. I spent a week up in San Francisco with the top down and in bumper to bumper traffic and averaged a little over 40 miles per gallon on that 1,400 mile trip. I traded in a smart car which only got 43 to 48 miles per gallon so I am happy with the 500c.

[Have Trumpet Will Travel]

Mileage Figures Keep Climbing

Now back from third 90-mile outing, totaling 270 miles. Average speed = 34 mph / average consumption = 39.5 mpg. Am I ever happy with the increasing mpg figure. Especially when you consider that this includes an 85-mph run down the interstate trying to catch two girls in a Gray 500 Sport. I mean it turned-out to be 2 girls. I really can't believe how easily the car accelerated in 5th gear. I had NO idea that I was motoring along at such a quick pace until the "Speed Bump" feature chimed-in to alert me of the infraction (65 mph zone). Boy I sure hope "officer O'Malley" doesn't read this post . . . OR my wife for that matter. Of the eight increments on the fuel ribbon it appears each 1/8 tank is going to yield around 55 miles. This is totally incredible. Since I am showing 3/8 tank left I should amend my prior statement to refuel at around 350 miles to more like 410 miles, requiring 9.5 gallons to yield approx. 43mpg. Will let you know Sunday 11/30/11. CIAO for now.

[Have Trumpet Will Travel]

M.P.G. STILL Climbing. First fill-up at 417 miles - absolutely filled it until gas was to top of filler neck - divided by 9.732 gallons = 42.85 mpg / EVIC said 41.9 'nuf said? HTWT.

[Have Trumpet Will Travel]

MPG figures still climbing

Two tanks for a total of 19.45 gallons added by 846 miles = 43.49 mpg (EVIC says 43.5 mpg for Trip "B" / 45.4 mpg for Trip "A" of 429 miles) this is with 250 miles running the CORSA cold-air intake -so, I've been using full throttle more often. Expect to get 42 mpg when I take a 400-mile trip at 70 mph average speed. Will post results - HTWT.

[Fiat500USA]

My gas mileage has also went up. Up about 1.5 mpg over the course of 6 months.

[fltrplntman]

Has your fuel mileage increased with the cold air intake?

[Have Trumpet Will Travel]

Reply to m.p.g. question

Has your fuel mileage increased with the cold air intake?

Just saw this and honestly, with me driving, mileage is the same. With my brother-in-law driving, the EVIC immediately reflected the effect of his "spirited" run through the gears - anything that makes you want to use more throttle (for the noise, it IS addictive!) will have a negative effect on fuel economy. My C.A.I. is the RoadRace Motorsports product and I totally love it, but m.p.g. is unchanged. The engine does rev-up faster, particularly in the first three gears (5-speed manual). BTW, my average m.p.g. is 43+ / EVIC is "stuck" on 43.8, can't persuade it to 44.0 (yet). HTWT.

[JohnInIndy]

I noticed a bit of an increase in MPG as the motor broke in but what I've really noticed lately is a sizable increase as the temperature warmed up. It's been unseasonably warm here this last week and my EVIC is reading about 3-4mpg higher than it had been most of the winter. I haven't run a full tank yet to check, but my EVIC tends to be pretty close.

[FITITO]

I have two sports cars and a land yacht (a Benz that is quite quick but NOT a sports car). When I get in my Fiat, I just don't feel the need to step on it and I always plan ahead so that I am not an obstacle. I shift quite early, most of the time around 2K RPMs. The variable valve timing allows this engine to run well at low RPS and under load. So I just put around in a high gear and low RPMs. I have averaged 42.1 MPGs for the last 6,200 miles. I have gotten over 400 miles out of 90% of my tanks and I have even reached 45.4 MPGs out of a tank! The key is not driving faster that 65 MPH. I usually average about 35 MPH, I drive two lane country roads to work. 11 miles each way with 2 traffic lights, I sometimes can time them so I don't even stop.

Recently, the temperature has been in the single digits or negative digits. I noticed that the engine takes a long time to warm up, I roll immediately after starting it and shift early. The extreme cold does LOWER the mileage. But I still hit 400 miles out of this tank (in frigid temperatures) and got 41.2 MPGs. The only times I get in the high 30s is when I drive on the highway over 80 MPH. I am VERY HAPPY with how my Fiat runs, I think it is extremely good value for the money!!

But, for some reason, I just don't feel like accelerating hard when I drive my Fiat. It is a car to cruise around slowly and in style :-)

Steve

[HiFi Guy]

My first tank was relatively disappointing. It has gone up every tank since, especially after 5,000 miles. I think part if it is break in and part of it is learning what the car "likes."

@HTWT- must be nice having ethanol free gas. It is better for the car too.

[Drmorello]

We are also getting a bit better mileage as time goes on...