In a very hypocritical response to my other thread, I pose a question: has anybody done any hypermiling on their RX-8?

It seems like the low torque rating would help us reduce pumping losses. One thing hypermilers do is to use high throttle angle, low rpm acceleration. Since the engine has to use energy to suck against a closed throttle body, keeping it open for longer periods would theoretically increase fuel mileage.

I usually try to keep the revs as low as I can when driving around. I've come to favor a 1-2-4-6 shift pattern, for whatever reason.




So, what do you guys think? Waste of time? Probably. Fun experiment? Maybe?

 

All you are going to do is carbon up the plugs, then get misfires and a possible flood.

You can buy a Civic if gas is your problem.

Even Beano might work.

 

one of the biggest gains is planning your acceleration smarter - esp negative accel aka braking or so I'm told.

Other than that I'd be sure to get up in the revs every once in a while. A new engine costs alot more than the gas you'll save. Plus its fun!

 

I shift 1-2-3-4-6. I almost never use 5th gear. by the time I hit 4th I'm at cruising speed so 5th is not needed.

And it still lets me do the WOT redline run in 2nd gear a couple of times per week.

Biggest thing for MPG is avoid frequent speed changes (use cruise control when up to speed), coasting in gear, and buy a civic.

 

The only way you can gain any sort of increase in mpg is to drive consistent and slow. That's not fun and will end up, like others are saying, hurting you in the long run. Just have fun with the car and accept whatever mileage it gives you in return (if it's not troublingly low)

 

No - It's a sports car !

 

hypermiling in a sports car, a rotary powerd sports car, is about the stupidest thing i've ever heard in my life.

 

This.

 

Hahaha you guys crack me up. Don't worry, I drive it like it's supposed to be driven. Still, for when it's not being driven like that, why not try and change a few driving habits to get better mpg? It's not like they are revolutionary, or incredibly hard to do.




Most of my acceleration is at the beginning of my trip. It's about 2 miles of non highway, followed by 7 highway, and 1 to my house. So by the time I get on the highway, pretty much all my acceleration is done. I wouldn't do low rpm high trottle right before shutting it off.

 

i'm just waiting for the hypermiling accidents to start hitting the news with more force. all the time choads are spending calculating the best time to brake and accelerate must be even more distracting then texting.

if you want to save gas/money, take the bus or walk. when you're in a car you've already made your choice.

 

You should be banned just for bringing this topic up.

 

+1

 

If I hear anyone suggest turning the car off to coast down hills or draft behind big trucks I will personally drive to your house and "donate" your car to a proper owner.

 

So you accelerate after just 2 miles of driving?
Hipermiling is not your problem, it's your brain

 

I've done some hypermiling stuff in other cars, but not the 8. Some things just do not go together.

Maybe you should find a Geo Metro forum and ask about track days.

Ken

 

just drive it like normal and suck up the MPG. you wont see any difference with a rotary engine.

 

+ 2

 

oh man, a pig just jump over the moon.

 

Oh boy... I don't think you guys got the irony behind me making this thread... Haha


I don't do a whole lot of hypermiling stuff. I do shut the car off coming off the highway, but that's because I usually have a good minute wait at the light, and I can coast a half mile to the light. There is only one light that I do this for, it just happens that it's on my daily drive. I'm not quite sure why you guys are getting so bent out of shape about a simple question. Yes, I know it's a sports car. But you obviously can't drive it like that all the time right? So why not try to get the most out of it when you aren't?


Anyways, I was mostly wondering about high throttle low rpm, especially on warm up. Tried doing a little searching online, but didn't see anything that I could use.

 

high throttle low rpm on a piston engine during warm up is called lugging the engine, it causes piston bearings and crankshaft bearings wear.
on a rotary engine, you putting stress on the stationary gears and eccentric shaft.

and what makes you think low rpm high throttle would save you gas? yes the engine spins slower, but its sucking more air per rotation and mixing more gas.
people think high rpm means more gas. WRONG! you can make a engine spinning at 9000rpm without using any gas. its all about how much power you want.

 

lol, hypermiling like 26 mpg? 30 on a good day? This thread made me

 

In case anybody wants to find out more about this HERE IS a link I found a while back .

 

Why can't you drive it like a sports car everytime? I drive mine like I stole it pretty much everytime I drive. That's my idea of getting the most out of it.

I bought it because it's awesome to drive. If I'm gonna granny it and try to get the best mileage possible, why drive it. I'll just drive my beater and get 30 all the time.

 

you really shut the car off at a stop light?

It uses more gas to get the car started than it does idling for a minute...

 

The engine is only going to be able to suck in how much it's going to be able to suck in. Opening the throttle won't mix more air, and the MAF will make sure that the correct of gas is mixed either way.... I'm pretty much talking about pumping losses. It's when the engine has to pull against a closed throttle body. It's one reason diesels are so efficient, since they don't have a TB.




I thought it was 7 seconds, but I guess it's 10.

http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=22292




Considering I have 7 miles of highway to drive, I can't very well drive it like I stole it, now can I? There are speed limits for a reason. Not to mention driving like you stole it probably won't help engine life.