weather & fuel economy
Boy, the weather sure does affect fuel economy. Since starting my hypermiling, the weather has changed from being a late winter chill (between -10°C and 0°) to becoming downright summery (mornings around 10°C, afternoons higher, as high as 27°C today!). As the temperature rises, I have seen a corresponding reduction in my fuel consumption.
Filling up today, I logged 794 km on 48.15 L for a tank average of 6.06L/100km. Sweet! Compare that to my hypermiling average of 6.5L/100km for my previous two tanks, and you can see why it’s advisable to use your vehicle’s block heater during the winter to reduce fuel consumption.
I am now actively looking to get out of my Elantra and into a VW TDI. With average fuel consumption figures in the 6.0L/100km range, I am hoping to be able to dip deep down into the 5’s, if not even the high 4’s. That will be exciting!
Andrew: Idea Hamster, P.Eng. 
Your mileage is IMPRESSIVE to say the least, I have yet to master this skill.
From what I hear, a TDI will definitely get you more mileage per tank, but what is the difference between a traditional gas engine and diesel other than mileage? Is diesel actually ‘dirtier’ or is that just a myth?
Thanks, I’m as impressed as anyone! First step – get comfortable slowing down. That’s the hardest part.
Sadly, yes, a diesel engine is dirtier than a comparable gas engine. That can be dealt with to some degree (using biodiesel is actually cleaner than dinodiesel), but is still relatively dirty. It’s a choice you have to make; less emissions, or cleaner emissions. I’m going for less emissions (by way of simply using less fuel).
wow!
just discovered your blog. this is awesome!
good to see someone making such big efforts this way.
i recently started reading more about this and making more conscious, sustainable choices.
i don’t use my car as far as possible. diesel. growing my own veges…trying. 🙂