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Accelerate Rapidly for Better Gas Mileage

Old 01-22-2006, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Bimmer32' post='227638' date='Jan 21 2006, 08:12 PM
Are you saying to start the car in 4k-5k rpm is the most efficient way? It appears that when I drive 48 mph (per the mpg rating), my rpm is at around 2k range. Wouldn't that be the most efficient rpm range?
Nope, I can't brake torque that high. I start from idle. I am saying that I accelerate briskly through the gears to crusing speed shifting generally at 4k to 5k. Then, I cruise as you do--and paying attention to my instantaneous mileage to keep the mileage up as high as possible given the ensuing circumstances.
Old 01-22-2006, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Bimmer32' post='227655' date='Jan 21 2006, 10:31 PM
If I accelerate to 4-5k rpm every time to cruising speed, I'm going to hit every cars that's in front of me.
Yes, but remember, I am able to hit the can of my choice with the car of my choice. So, I am able to miss all obstacles. You, on the other hand, will have to start wearing your glasses when driving if you want better gas mileage. And, you could always compromise a little and think about applying the theory a little more judiciously. <_<
Old 01-22-2006, 07:53 PM
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The torque is abysmal in the low rpm range (on my 530) so I think that getting the car moving requres more rpm and thus, as mentioned before, it is more efficient to rev higher in lower gear at the start.
I didn't see anyone put it this way, so I will... you want to run the engine at the lowest rpm as much of the time as possible to save gas, so accelerate spritely to get through the gears into overdrive as soon possible so on average, the rpms are low.

Of course, never stopping helps too.
Old 01-23-2006, 07:34 AM
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Sounds good to me.

But I don't want to wear down the rear tyres prematurely.
Old 01-23-2006, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Trev550i' post='227534' date='Jan 21 2006, 03:27 PM
so you always drive in ds mode znod and accelerate fairly quickly? Do you have to replace the brakes more often?
what you will find if you drive in DS/M most of the time is that you will actually use less braking for the most part...now that i've learned the way that this engine and tranny respond, i am able to use the step very much like a manual tranny and use downshifts for braking every time i drive...
Old 01-23-2006, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Znod' post='227987
If I accelerate to 4-5k rpm every time to cruising speed, I'm going to hit every cars that's in front of me.
Yes, but remember, I am able to hit the can of my choice with the car of my choice. So, I am able to miss all obstacles. You, on the other hand, will have to start wearing your glasses when driving if you want better gas mileage. And, you could always compromise a little and think about applying the theory a little more judiciously. <_<
[/quote]

Wearing my glasses willl only add weight to my car. But I get the idea. As for the beer can test, I have to admit that you're a good adaptive driver - able to quickly adapt to active steering.
Old 01-23-2006, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by m630' post='228328
so you always drive in ds mode znod and accelerate fairly quickly? Do you have to replace the brakes more often?
what you will find if you drive in DS/M most of the time is that you will actually use less braking for the most part...now that i've learned the way that this engine and tranny respond, i am able to use the step very much like a manual tranny and use downshifts for braking every time i drive...
[/quote]
Me too. Maybe we should compare CBS numbers on the brakes. I use a lot of DS/manual mode. My current mileage is 16,500 miles and my CBS says another 43,000 miles for both front and rear brakes. It steadily built up to that number and seems to have held there for several 1000s of miles. That would put my at replacing brakes at near 60,000 miles. I better start using them more so I can get a free replacement prior to 50,000 warranty miles
Old 01-23-2006, 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by cobradav' post='228430' date='Jan 23 2006, 03:56 PM
I better start using them more so I can get a free replacement prior to 50,000 warranty miles
lmao
Old 01-23-2006, 01:23 PM
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Im sold... Im going to drive home in DS and gun it everytime i have opptny off the line
Old 01-23-2006, 01:39 PM
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How many miles per gallon are you guys getting based on the display in your car?

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