30+ mpg

[BBISHOPPCM]

I managed 33 MPG, drove 150 miles on just over a quarter of a tank, mostly backroads/mountains, some highway, and some city. Average mileage for me is 27. I have a CVT with just over 1,000 miles on it.

[Ever Victorious]

I've been getting 25 mpg in a 6-sp MT. I drive about 80% on the highway.Anyone have any tips other than accelerating slowly that would help me increase my mpg?

I've driven MT for about 7 years, but I think someone taught me bad habbits cuz I'm just getting really bad mileage.

Thanks.

Accelerate slowly. Shift slowly. Do not rev over 3,000 rpm during normal acceleration or cruising.

Some gearjammers like to think that they can slam the car in gear as fast as possible and everything will be hunky-dory. The Versa's transmission is not a sports car's by any stretch, and it also has that funky RPM-hang issue. I found my mileage was best when I was taking between 1-2 full seconds to shift...

I used very light pressure moving the shifter between gears, which caused it to "click" into neutral and "click" once again in gear. This technique can really only be used on the V transmission because most others have been "smoothed" out so you can't feel this... but it helped a LOT on making me watch my driving behavior.

I USED to be a speed demon. Driving the Versa for 4 months taught me patience and smooth driving techniques under normal conditions.

[BBISHOPPCM]

I'd like to add this; If you own a CVT, drive it like a manual trans with a bad clutch. Accelerate slowly, only give it what it needs. This will not only help with fuel mileage, but it will also save wear and tear on the drivetrain.

[motoguy128]

I'm actually pretty suprised with how the mileage is when idling. I got 23.5mpg on my last tank. 3/4 was freeway driving, but the other half was short trips that included at least 60 minutes of idling to melt a 1/2 of ice, twice off the car and a little snow and frost (inside & out) here and there.

I figure it burns about 1-1/2 gallons of gas per hour while idling. Thsi is the advantage of a smaller engine. The Yaris and Fit will both use less gas while idling.

[kc5f]

Anyone have any tips other than accelerating slowly that would help me increase my mpg?

I've driven MT's for 35 years, and averaged 35mpg on my last car (Ford Probe), which had an EPA Highway estimate of 27mpg. I never babied it, but I didn't push it. I also did a lot of coasting into stop signs and lights, and down hills when I could.

I'm not sure about the legality, but I still do it on longer hills with the Versa CVT when I've got 3+ miles to coast in Neutral. Maybe Columbus doesn't have that many long hills, though...