I am a new Insight owner. Just drove 14 miles round trip from Greenville, SC to Simpsonville, SC this morning on a 2 lane backroad with ups and downs as far as hills go and a few lights, some I made and some I had to stop at. I got 56 mpg in my 2001 CVT. Is that pretty good? My average speed was around 35 mph. Today's my day off, so I did not have to contend with a lot of traffic.
On my normal commute route for work, I get in the upper 40's, as it is stop and go and not highway. I could take the freeway, but they drive like fools out there. They must be in a big hurry to get to work.
Brand new here too, just picked my 2000 up day before yesterday, my commute to work is 130 miles round trip and last 2 days have averaged between 70 and 75 each leg, it takes some work to get it, tonight I was in lean burn for almost the whole way from 285 to downtown on 85 south a good 10 miles, that mpg just kept climbing.
Brand new here too, just picked my 2000 up day before yesterday, my commute to work is 130 miles round trip and last 2 days have averaged between 70 and 75 each leg, it takes some work to get it, tonight I was in lean burn for almost the whole way from 285 to downtown on 85 south a good 10 miles, that mpg just kept climbing.
Sorry cant help on the CVT though.
The 5-speed sounds fantastic. What great mileage. What is "lean burn?" Is that for 5-speeds only? Where are you from?
56 is good in a CVT. I think the most important driving technique is to gradually let up the gas pedal whenever possible. Lots of times you can get where you want to go just as quickly but using a bit less gas. Every drop is precious!
... Just drove 14 miles round trip ... on a 2 lane backroad with ups and downs as far as hills go and a few lights, some I made and some I had to stop at. I got 56 mpg in my 2001 CVT. Is that pretty good?
... My average speed was around 35 mph.
... for work, I get in the upper 40's, as it is stop and go ,,, I could take the freeway, but they drive like fools out there
As a CVT owner myself I can offer that 56 MPG isn't bad at all - and I'd bet by this time next year, when you've really begun to have a feel for what these little cars can do for you, 60 MPG or better over that same road will be common.
If you've ever believed anything in your life, believe me when I suggest that properly driving these little cars is so different from anything you've encountered before, it is just something that has to be experienced to be appreciated but note, it may take six or more months of daily driving an Insight to begin to understand this.
As for that freeway driving, go at it! These little cars can handle it. Get into the right hand lane and don't be afraid to employ that accelleration which is augmented by the electric motor. Once up to speed, stay in the right hand lane and settle down to fifty or so MPH (about 2,000 RPM) when on a relatively straight and level run. That little car will probably surprise you at just how well it performs - and watch that MPG rate climb!. Sixty MPG and better will prove to be "the norm."
By the way - best of luck with the little beast! :-)
I know on my 5 spd, when I start climbing a hill, the mpg will fall to about 50 then I give it just a little more gas and the asst will kick in and I will accelerate but maintain the 50mpg, using the electric and not loosing mpg, but if I didnt give it more gas, it would still get 50mpg but no acceleration without the asst.
Ohh and lean burn is when you are cruising with light throttle, and you wil feel a little change in power, and watch the mpg go upto between 75 and 100 or more if going down hill. Then when it comes out of lean burn, will feel like the asst kicks in but dont and mpg will fall to between 50-60. Usually happens when you give it just a little too much gas.
When driving in town I try to shift / keep my rpms below 2,000. When going out of town I usually only go to 4th gear to keep from lugging / being under powered, but keep enough pressure off the pedal to stay of 75mpg on the instantaneous meter. I just did a 275 mile trip on sat and averaged 74mpg, average highway speed was 55 - 65, mostly fall mountain driving.
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Gas Mileage
