1996 850 Wagon Non-Turbo How to Maximize Gas Mileage?

[tryingbe]

My 2000 Insight 5 speed manual got 53mpg last tank, running with a/c.

We were wondering if there are any aerodynamic add ons, or ECU chip upgrades
or anything else that is effective.

Nothing you do will make a large difference other than driving style. Save the $$$ for gas.

MAX mpg I ever gotten out of a tank on my 94 Turbo wagon was 27mph, with an automatic transmission. I never gotten more than 25mpg ever since I swapped the automatic out for a manual transmission.

[scot850]

Me thinks someone has a bit of a lead foot!

Neil.

[Rhproulx]

When I ran my '96 NA 850 wagon with a 5 speed I regularly saw 32 - 34 mpg avg. on extended highway driving.
In city driving was low 20's.

[PeteB]

User reported numbers for 850 wagon:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?a ... 50%20Wagon

Sedan:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?a ... &model=850

[PeteB]

How do people explain getting significantly higher than EPA numbers when
most people get lower?

[abscate]

Anthropological factors

[TWC]

I do achieve an average of 27 mpg and think that this is quite okay for a car which is over 20 years old, quite heavy and not being driven with a light lead foot. On the Autobahn, my average speed is around 80 mph and I don't use the 5th gear until 40.

With the V70 of my lady, I had managed to achieve 47 mpg once but that was a pretty boring ride.

[abscate]

I drove 70 to 80 mph back then. Pretty much like I drive 80 to 90 now. From the factory no 1990's Volvo got 30 mpg. Anybody says different cannot do math. The epa should have the original city/highway mpg from the window sticker. June

You are supposed to slow up when you pass 30, June



I drive like an old geezer now, leave earlier for appts and drive 60-65 on the highway unless flow is heavy, then I drive about 5 mph under in right lane, on cruise.

[June]

I drove 70 to 80 mph back then. Pretty much like I drive 80 to 90 now. From the factory no 1990's Volvo got 30 mpg. Anybody says different cannot do math. The epa should have the original city/highway mpg from the window sticker. June

You are supposed to slow up when you pass 30, June



I drive like an old geezer now, leave earlier for appts and drive 60-65 on the highway unless flow is heavy, then I drive about 5 mph under in right lane, on cruise.

Just think of all that carbon building up in your engine! June