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in response to my introduction thread
Topic Started: Apr 21 2009, 09:03 AM (912 Views)
madcityspecv
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well, in answer to the mileage question, it looks like my wife's grandfather was only getting 27-34 mpg, depending on driving. seems a bit low for his old driving habits. i've now gone through a half a tank, and i've driven ~180 miles, so 360 on a 10 gallon tank? 36 MPG, and i've got a large hill that i go up both ways on my round trip 30 mile commute. even with the throttle mashed, i still slow down going up from ~60 to 45 ;) people behind me get frustrated, but i have fun. will seafoaming improve the mileage?.
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Cobb
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Sounds like you need to upshift sooner to keep revs up. I feel your pain, but flooring it doesnt help fuel economy.
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madcityspecv
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having a slushbox means i can't really upshift more. i speed up a little before i get to the hill, but it doesn't do much. i don't really mind it, i just try to keep it at least at 45 , so the people behind me don't get too upset. it's not like i'm standing on the gas.
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metro95
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I've got the same problem as madcityspecv.

I've had my metro for 13 years (three engines--the second one was just plain bad and had to be replaced) and I've always had problems with hills. Never had problems with hills in my Toyota truck (so the problem isn't the guy behind the steering wheel).
I just figured these tiny engines can't handle hills.
Like madcityspecv, I try to gain a little speed before I hit the hill and I am happy if I am not less that 10 mph below the speed limit when I get to the top.

Any way to pep up these cars?
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2000Firefly1.3L
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hrm with my 3 speed automatic the only real problem with it is accelerating from a standstill high rpm cruising speeds. There is this big hill on sumas moutain road and I can go up it at 110KM/h no problem floored. It reaches highway speed with ease and reaches spedometer maxed out at 145KM/h . Remember the power band is at 5-6K rpm with these cars. And oh yeah I run the 16 valve 1.3L sohc.
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Cobb
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I live at the top of a hill and just drive slower in the right lane and let the faster cars and trucks pass. Dont get me wrong my 240d mercedes was slow, but it had torque, these cars dont handle hills too well.

The automatic knows best and just give it 75% gas and enjoy the ride. I know if I go the posted limit or 5 over I do better in 3rd gear for 40 mph, but the area is loaded with cops and I dont want someone elses ticket.

Now I see how all the people I pass with my blown tacoma when I visit wva and NOVA feel. Of course I am going 5 over with 15psi of boost. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-rGPir8Zx8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiuhEsqC25s
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madcityspecv
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true. my other car has ~200HP (2700lbs), and has a 6 spd, so it's kind of interesting getting used to not being able to just shoot right up hills. like i said, it doesn't bother me when i slow down going up hills, but it's a 2 lane road, so people get backed up behind me. too bad, they're getting half the mileage that i am.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Without modifying my '91, just after adding a SunPro tachometer, the Wife and I went up an 11 mile 6-7% grade in 3rd gear at 50-55 mph. I had a K&N air filter, and synthetic oil, 8mm plug wires and stock NGK plugs. I still climb it in 3rd if I want power.
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z34-5speed
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Formerly "Tech Certified"

The first time mine blew up was going up a hill.

Left a very nice sized hole in the #3 ex-valve. I don't have any problem going up hills anymore...
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

Quote:
 
well, in answer to the mileage question, it looks like my wife's grandfather was only getting 27-34 mpg, depending on driving. seems a bit low for his old driving habits. i've now gone through a half a tank, and i've driven ~180 miles, so 360 on a 10 gallon tank? 36 MPG, and i've got a large hill that i go up both ways on my round trip 30 mile commute. even with the throttle mashed, i still slow down going up from ~60 to 45 ;) people behind me get frustrated, but i have fun. will seafoaming improve the mileage?.
I missed the point of this thread, my apologies.
If you haven't done so already, I would certainly do the Seafoam. and check your compression (wet/dry/WOT). Seafoam and carb. cleaner to be sure the TB and fuel system is clean, plus remove some piston/valve carbon build up. That's low mileage, have you done a full tune up? Plugs/oil/filters/PCV/Dist./tire pressures/TPS. New wheel bearings maybe.

I was implying in the other post that, if you can, go up a hill at up to 55-60 it's OK to do it in 3rd gear if your engine is healthy. Your max torque is 58@3300, just over the shift light. But max HP is 52@5700. That's why I have a tachometer. My '91 is at 5500 roughly, in 3rd doing about 55 mph. Do the limit or break the law, there's always someone going faster. :shake
Edited by Bad Bent, May 17 2009, 01:55 PM.
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

madcityspecv
Apr 21 2009, 11:58 AM
true. my other car has ~200HP (2700lbs), and has a 6 spd, so it's kind of interesting getting used to not being able to just shoot right up hills. like i said, it doesn't bother me when i slow down going up hills, but it's a 2 lane road, so people get backed up behind me. too bad, they're getting half the mileage that i am.
I have found that the saving grace is that people assume you are driving a Metro because you cannot afford better, and that you are slowing down going uphill because you cannot help it. Most assume that a Metro cannot hold 55 going uphill. I think this keeps them from getting too aggressive.

The most aggressive person I have ever had behind me was driving a 1st gen Metro. She finally passed when we got to four lane giving me the bird as she did so. :ermm: I guess all Metro drivers are not into mpgs. She knew I could maintain speed if I wanted to, and that's what set her off.
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