Most Fuel Efficient Speed

[Jonesy]

If I were to sit on a long stretch or road with cruise control on, what speed should I set it to to get the best MPG? I know there are a million and one factors such as hills, wind, mods, temperature etc, but please just consider everyday situations.

I am interested about how I can save fuel costs for my 80 mile commute!

[MarkW19]

Which MINI have you got?

[Jonesy]

Mcs

[Grae]

think I remeber reading somewhere that 60mph is the most fuel efficient speed to travel at generally

anyone else agree?

[Ady]

think most of the tests put it at 56mph

Ady

[matfrost]

It seems to drink a lot more at 80, than at 70, I have noticed

[:: Jon ::]

on the motorway 80mph = 43mpg is better than 70mph = 39mpg with mine..

[dietcokeplease]

56mph is just a random figure because it tallies with 90kph.

It varies with the vehicle, load, weather, aerodynamics and gearing amongst other factors.

Most cars would get their best mpg at around 40mph in top gear.

[MINI-Morgan]

I would have said 50-60mph in 6th gear. Unless its up and down hills lots where this will waste fuel from the extra strain on the engine on the hill stages. I useto be able to do 40+ mpg at 60mph in my old S.

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonesy

If I were to sit on a long stretch or road with cruise control on, what speed should I set it to to get the best MPG? I know there are a million and one factors such as hills, wind, mods, temperature etc, but please just consider everyday situations.

I am interested about how I can save fuel costs for my 80 mile commute!

Hmm - my sympathies - to drive a car like an MCS, and to have to worry about fuel economy - that's tough! I had a loan MCS, and found it IMPOSSIBLE to drive in a staid and economy-minded way!

To save fuel, maybe buy a One D?

[Bilbo Baggins]

Fuel mileage also has to do with gearing. Taller gears usually get better mileage. However, gearing so tall that the engine drops below the rpm where it developes sufficiant torque can actually decrease mileage because more throttle has to be applied to maintain speed or climb an incline.

My '02 MCS produced better mileage than my '06 MCS because in '05 MINI altered the gearing, effectively lowering the gearing, in an response to demands to increase preformance. In so doing they also lowered the mileage by about 1.5 - 2 mpg by my calculations.

I have found that keeping the rpms between 2,800 and 3,000 seems to yield the best mileage. I also find that I get my best mileage when I am not on interstate highways but on rural 2-lane roads with 55 - 60 mph speeds using either 4th or 5th gears.

If you want really bad mileage put on a roof rack and a couple of bicycles and do slightly greater than legal speed on the open highway. It will really suck up the fuel faster than you might expect. Or at least so I am told.

[Robert Stancliff]

My OBC shows 42 MPG at a steady 50 MPH and about 34 MPG at 70.

I think the optimum speed for economy is between 45-50 MPH.

[Gillian Hogarth]

Quote: Originally Posted by Robert Stancliff

My OBC shows 42 MPG at a steady 50 MPH and about 34 MPG at 70.

I think the optimum speed for economy is between 45-50 MPH.

I think the readings on the OBC are rubbish.

[Hat]

cruise control won't return the best mpg as it is constantly varying the engine speed (revs) to maintain a road speed. i find in my cooper if i maintain the rpm at below 4000 i get mid-high 30's mpg

[doona]

Flat out... I find it the most efficient way to empty the tank..... ??

-Dan