sfled's Journal: Gas Mileage

I just purchased a Toyota Corolla, 5 spd. manual w/overdrive. In another forum some folks disputed my assertion that I can get 40 to 46 MPG on the highway with this car (The car is EPA rated 32 mpg City, 40 mpg Highway). My rebuttal:

A word about mileage:

My other car is a Lebaron Convertible, V6, auto with overdrive. The EPA rated it at 20 MPG City, 26 MPG Highway .

My best high mileage for that car is around 30 MPG, always on the turnpike, top down or up, AC off, 60 to 65 mph. Filled it up in Fort Lauderdale, FL, filled it up again (about 2/3rds tank)in Melbourne, FL. Did the math (miles/gallons)=30.4 MPG. Had over 110k miles on the odo. Got 151,800 now, and it still gets great mileage (as long as I don't participate in the Basshole Race-more on bassholes below).

The best mixed city & highway I ever got out of it was 26.3 MPG. City MPG was 22 MPG or so, unless I started to drive like the other bassholes (what is it with commuters racing from light to light? Or gunning out of the toll booth like it was a starting gate? Are they idiots or just frustrated?)

The EPA MPG for the highway in the 2003 Corolla is 40 MPG. I take that as a challenge to get better mileage. Some drivers will get lousier mileage (busy lead feet, sloppy driving habits, poor maintenance, crappy underinflated tires).

Best trick for great mileage and a long-lasting car? Drive like there's an egg (in the shell, raw) between your foot and the gas pedal. Top speed isn't as important as how you get to that top speed (within reason). Easy acceleration will get you great mileage. Once you're at cruising speed, stay there.

And if you want to race, go to Moroso Speedway Park. But don't try it on my highway or I'll *FHP you're lame loser ass.