How Can I Maximize Fuel Economy?
02-19-2008, 10:35 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-11-2007
Location: Scarborough
Posts: 59
How Can I Maximize Fuel Economy?
I'm looking for ways to maximize my fuel economy. Reading through a lot of the threads on here tells me that my HHR is not getting normal numbers.
I bought my 2006 LT automatic in July 2007 brand new (only 105km's on the odometer). During my short ownership I've experienced a steady 525-550km's/fill up, which works out to a measly 326-342mi/fill. This is not normal.
I've driven it like a granny since new (just passed 18K km's on the odometer this weekend), use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and top tier gas (regular Sunoco and Shell only).
I'm looking for ideas on how to increase my fuel economy to a more normal level. Would taking it to the dealer to flash the PCM yield any real results? I usually drive with the heater at the lowest setting -- does that really hurt mpg's? How about having tire pressure set to 37psi (stock 17" Firestones)? Should I change the stock intake for a drop in K&N filter or even the aftermarket K&N intake kit?
Fuel economy is the main reason I traded in my 1997 Monte Carlo Z34, with the HHR being the best looking vehicle of the bunch! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
I bought my 2006 LT automatic in July 2007 brand new (only 105km's on the odometer). During my short ownership I've experienced a steady 525-550km's/fill up, which works out to a measly 326-342mi/fill. This is not normal.
I've driven it like a granny since new (just passed 18K km's on the odometer this weekend), use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and top tier gas (regular Sunoco and Shell only).
I'm looking for ideas on how to increase my fuel economy to a more normal level. Would taking it to the dealer to flash the PCM yield any real results? I usually drive with the heater at the lowest setting -- does that really hurt mpg's? How about having tire pressure set to 37psi (stock 17" Firestones)? Should I change the stock intake for a drop in K&N filter or even the aftermarket K&N intake kit?
Fuel economy is the main reason I traded in my 1997 Monte Carlo Z34, with the HHR being the best looking vehicle of the bunch! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
02-19-2008, 10:42 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-24-2006
Location: Bowling Green, OH
Posts: 2,315
Here are some tips and things to look at to improve your mpg and it is an US government site http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
02-20-2008, 04:11 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-06-2007
Location: Edison, NJ
Posts: 359
My 2007 LS with the 2.2L engine gets a steady 25 MPG in around-town driving, which is basically all that I do. The occasional highway cruise yields a little better than 30MPG. I would say that's about average.
The 10% ethanol blend which is becoming ubiquitous in the US does not help matters at all. Ethanol does not have the energy density of gasoline; therefore, you cannot go as far on a volume of ethanol as you can on an equal volume of gas. Overall mileage is reduced under all conditions.
I wonder if there is any region of North America where 100 percent gasoline is still obtainable....
And I also wonder if the EPA estimated MPG figures are based upon a 90/10 gasoline/ethanol blend.
The 10% ethanol blend which is becoming ubiquitous in the US does not help matters at all. Ethanol does not have the energy density of gasoline; therefore, you cannot go as far on a volume of ethanol as you can on an equal volume of gas. Overall mileage is reduced under all conditions.
I wonder if there is any region of North America where 100 percent gasoline is still obtainable....
And I also wonder if the EPA estimated MPG figures are based upon a 90/10 gasoline/ethanol blend.
02-20-2008, 07:06 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-20-2006
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 931
How many gallons are you putting in for the 325-350 miles? That would tell a lot more about how reasonable your mileage is. Also, is that in highway, town, or mixed driving? On the surface, your numbers sound resonable but we need to know more to be sure. 325/15 gallons (a guess for a fillup)=21.66MPG. If you drive primarily in town or it's really cold out and your driving is a mix between city and highway, that would be normal on my HHR. I usually experience 24-25MPG, but my drive to work is more of a mix between highway and in town. When my wife drove this car, she barely got 20MPG because she drove it almost completely in town.
To answer some of your questions, the heater should have almost no impact on economy. The A/C on the other hand will rob maybe 1-1.5MPG in my experience. I have slightly increased the PSI in my tires and it made a slight difference in economy. You will experience a mildly harsher ride, and possibly a bit less grip from the tires, but 37PSI is well below the tire's max. I wouldn't expect an intake kit to do much at all for the mileage.
To answer some of your questions, the heater should have almost no impact on economy. The A/C on the other hand will rob maybe 1-1.5MPG in my experience. I have slightly increased the PSI in my tires and it made a slight difference in economy. You will experience a mildly harsher ride, and possibly a bit less grip from the tires, but 37PSI is well below the tire's max. I wouldn't expect an intake kit to do much at all for the mileage.
(impossible 4 me) 60mph as appose to 75/80mph 
and keeping up with the air filter along with oil changes, showed a slight improvement for me.
02-20-2008, 11:23 AM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-11-2007
Location: Scarborough
Posts: 59
How many gallons are you putting in for the 325-350 miles? That would tell a lot more about how reasonable your mileage is. Also, is that in highway, town, or mixed driving? On the surface, your numbers sound resonable but we need to know more to be sure. 325/15 gallons (a guess for a fillup)=21.66MPG. If you drive primarily in town or it's really cold out and your driving is a mix between city and highway, that would be normal on my HHR. I usually experience 24-25MPG, but my drive to work is more of a mix between highway and in town. When my wife drove this car, she barely got 20MPG because she drove it almost completely in town.
To answer some of your questions, the heater should have almost no impact on economy. The A/C on the other hand will rob maybe 1-1.5MPG in my experience. I have slightly increased the PSI in my tires and it made a slight difference in economy. You will experience a mildly harsher ride, and possibly a bit less grip from the tires, but 37PSI is well below the tire's max. I wouldn't expect an intake kit to do much at all for the mileage.
To answer some of your questions, the heater should have almost no impact on economy. The A/C on the other hand will rob maybe 1-1.5MPG in my experience. I have slightly increased the PSI in my tires and it made a slight difference in economy. You will experience a mildly harsher ride, and possibly a bit less grip from the tires, but 37PSI is well below the tire's max. I wouldn't expect an intake kit to do much at all for the mileage.
I commute to work with a mix of highway and city driving. Although come to think of it the highway commute in the morning is especially slow. Maybe it is my drive that is yielding the poor returns, but by that much? Hmm.....
02-20-2008, 11:31 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-20-2006
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 931
I let my tank go right to empty, most times I get the low fuel chime before filling up completely, so a full tank gets me those numbers.
I commute to work with a mix of highway and city driving. Although come to think of it the highway commute in the morning is especially slow. Maybe it is my drive that is yielding the poor returns, but by that much? Hmm.....
I commute to work with a mix of highway and city driving. Although come to think of it the highway commute in the morning is especially slow. Maybe it is my drive that is yielding the poor returns, but by that much? Hmm.....
02-20-2008, 07:17 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-11-2007
Location: Scarborough
Posts: 59
Thanks for your replies, guys.
Well, I've kept track of every fuel expenditure since I bought it new and it takes me roughly 52 to 57 litres to fill up, which converts to approximately 13.74 to 15.06 gallons.
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?
Well, I've kept track of every fuel expenditure since I bought it new and it takes me roughly 52 to 57 litres to fill up, which converts to approximately 13.74 to 15.06 gallons.
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?
02-20-2008, 07:25 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-17-2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 287
Thanks for your replies, guys.
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?
02-21-2008, 07:00 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-20-2006
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 931
Thanks for your replies, guys.
Well, I've kept track of every fuel expenditure since I bought it new and it takes me roughly 52 to 57 litres to fill up, which converts to approximately 13.74 to 15.06 gallons.
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?
Well, I've kept track of every fuel expenditure since I bought it new and it takes me roughly 52 to 57 litres to fill up, which converts to approximately 13.74 to 15.06 gallons.
The Shell stations up here in Toronto say they have up to 10% ethanol in the 87 grade, up to 5% ethanol in the mid grade 89 and no ethanol in the 91 grade. Does ethanol content markedly decrease fuel economy to the point where paying extra for the 91 grade is worth it?