Totally puzzled about how others are doing it.

[ketel0ne]

I have started to cut my commute into pieces. The first piece is rural hilly roads for 10 miles from my house. At the end of that segment I am usually sitting at about 33mpg. Here is why this is so puzzling. I can coast, drive as slow as I want etc. I see on here entire commutes that are 10 miles and less where people are getting 50mpg+ via SG. The first 2 miles of mine I can only get to about 22mpg. I know everyone's car, drive is different, but I just think I am missing something simple. It takes almost a mile for me to compensate for getting out of my driveway and getting to the first downgrade for coasting.

I know I am asking for critcism, but in reality advice doesn't have to be negative.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by ketel0ne

I see on here entire commutes that are 10 miles and less where people are getting 50mpg+

With automatics?

I wonder if auto transmissions have a significantly higher penalty during warmup. It's essentially a fluid drive until the torque converter locks up, and the fluids are far more viscous and energy-wasting when they're "cold".

[Silveredwings]

I'm pretty sure an engine preheater would make a huge difference for me. When I start a trip with a cold engine, I gradually increase the car's mpg as the engine oil heats. Note: the coolant heats fairly quickly (inside of a mile), but I watch the oil temp (a separate instrument) rise much more slowly. The car doesn't peak until the oil is hot.

I think I recall a thread on engine preheaters (or maybe that was on MetroMPG's site)

[ketel0ne]

I am going to try the same segment tonight when the car is hot to a-b the difference. Our ambient temp outside is going to be constant all day. So the car will be the variable.

[MetroMPG]

We've talked about it here too (do a search), but the link on my site is: http://www.metrompg.com/posts/block-heater.htm

It would benefit any car, at any time of year (obviously more the colder the soak).

This year I became a year-round block heater user. I'll plug the car in for half an hour to 45 mins before a "cold" start even in warm ambient temps.

[MetroMPG]

That's a good idea, ketelone.

[argylesocks]

Originally Posted by ketel0ne

It takes almost a mile for me to compensate for getting out of my driveway and getting to the first downgrade for coasting.

i have hurd lots of negative comments on coasting in neutral with an auto.

i will leave the pro's to comment on this... but maybe something that should be addressed, sooner than later.

[Sludgy]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

With automatics?

I wonder if auto transmissions have a significantly higher penalty during warmup. It's essentially a fluid drive until the torque converter locks up, and the fluids are far more viscous and energy-wasting when they're "cold".

Unbelievably, my F350 diesel has a valve in the exhaust line that partially closes when the engine is cold! This makes the engine work harder and warm up faster. My cold weather FE sucks because of this.

[coldtotouch]

Originally Posted by argylesocks

i have hurd lots of negative comments on coasting in neutral with an auto.

i will leave the pro's to comment on this... but maybe something that should be addressed, sooner than later.

a mechanic once told me it puts excess strain on the transmission shifting it from drive to neutral constantly.

I really don't know how far its true.

[ketel0ne]

Originally Posted by coldtotouch

a mechanic once told me it puts excess strain on the transmission shifting it from drive to neutral constantly.

I really don't know how far its true.

From what I have read on the internet it is only second to the synthetic vs. normal oil debate in volume of pages and opinions that vary.