CVT in Neutral...

[ururk]

I've had my MINI for about 750 miles now, thoroughly enjoying it : )

However, I wonder the following...

I'd like to save money on gas. I'm already getting 30.6 miles/US Gallon, which is wonderful, but I'd like to get her up to 35, if possible.

In about 4 different areas I feel I could add just a bit more mpg:

3 different stop signs, all coasting from 55mph down to 0

3 hills


However, I cannot coast as far as I could in my minivan - and I think it's because the engine in the MINI adds a bit of braking, due to the CVT. Can I just switch it into neutral? I'd like to think that in these situations I'd help save some gas, but then I worry if it's even possible to shift into D while the MINI is moving in Neutral, and even then if I'll be adding premature wear to the transmission if I have to switch while driving.

Any thoughts?

John

[chs4]

There was a thread about this before I think...

Ah, here it is: Is MINI ok when going down hill with "N" ?

[StitchMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by ururk

I've had my MINI for about 750 miles now, thoroughly enjoying it : )
John

Wow, we must have gotten our cars around the same time, I have about the same mileage as about you.

[ururk]

Quote: Originally Posted by StitchMINI

Wow, we must have gotten our cars around the same time, I have about the same mileage as about you.

Yep . You got yours 2 days before me, remember? July thread... I think you said, "I get mine before you" .


And as far as searching, agggggggggg. I'm usually good about this. That thread answered my question... Stoopid me. I just felt sorry for the CVT forum, being neglected and underused. Well, not underused, I just think there ought to be more discussion about the CVT.

John

[nonsequitur]

You ask some good questions here that have not really been explored as far as they could be by the capable and creative bunch on MINI2.com. With gas prices climbing in the United States to the level our fellow posters in Europe have seen for years, maybe it would be fun and useful to start a thread about improving fuel economy from the CVT-equipped Cooper and One, and Automatic MCS cars?

[ururk]

Quote: Originally Posted by nonsequitur

maybe it would be fun and useful to start a thread about improving fuel economy from the CVT-equipped Cooper and One, and Automatic MCS cars?

I concur!

Here is the real problem with mpg estimates - they depend on:

A/C on or off

Windows, sunroof, convertible top; open or closed

Driving conditions (city/highway %)

Heat on/off

Slow vs fast starts


No one really has done any "scientific" testing on how much the Cooper Auto handles each of these things. Then some days you get a bonnet-wind, and others a boot-wind . Or even a side-wind. Often people quote computer mpg estimates, which are usually 1-2mpg higher than reality.

I know in my Voyager I used to get 20mpg during the summer, 21~22 during the winter - I attribute that to the windows up/down. Also, I wonder if taking heat away from the engine influenced my mpg.

So.... should we start a MPG thread? I'll get it kicking, and will provide an Excel file for everyone .

John

[nonsequitur]

You'll be pleased to see what I already had done earlier based on the exchanges in this thread:

Better Gas Mileage; How-to Ideas and Experience

Each of the ideas you list here is worth exploring, and there are many more. It should be fun to figure out a list, and then to assess how effective each might be. Your "spreadsheet" may become useful there!

We may want to ask what is most important, a prioritization. As an example, your "summer" versus "winter" mileage figures are over a broad range of specific driving experiences spread over roughly six months each - that's completely valid, but way too long for the attention span of this Forum! But, those six month averages are built up from all the little things that make up each day's driving, such as having A/C on or off.

Just for the record, I'm going to continue to do Track Days (8-12mpg) even if fuel costs go to $5.00/gal because I simply enjoy them so much.

My interest is to find better ways to be frugal and responsible with each of the driving decisions we make, and to demonstrate how versatile the CVT-equipped MINI is. OK, let go.