My thoughts on the heater discussion--wouldn't running the heater full blast create a more efficient engine, as you're removing heat from the engine bay/water temperature?

 

extra radiator? Yes. Worth it? no.

If I wanted a car to get good gas mileage in, I would have bought a Prius and then commenced to clogging up the left lane doing 55

 

I agree whole heartedly about the G not getting great gas milage, and that it's not intended to do so. I was just chiming in on the heater/AC debate here.

Priuses are for men who have mangina's. If anyone watches Jeff Dunham, you know exactly what it sounds like to make fun of a guy with a Blue Prius

 

Like many have said, light and constant acceleration. The engine is very inefficient during acceleration.
Cut down the aerodynamic drag by avoiding excessive high speeds, keeping your car clean, keep windows close, avoid attaching appendages like spoilers or external decorative pieces to your car.
Avoid braking as much as possible. Your precious gas is converted to heat every time you brake. Time the lights and traffic. If traffic allows, coast instead of brake.
Turn off all unnecessary electrical device, such as lights, fans and stereo.
Keep tire pressure on the high end of specs. Get taller, narrow, stiff, low rolling resistance tires. Avoid sticky, low profile high performance tires.

Heck, all that takes the fun out of the G. That is why I am getting about 15mpg and enjoying it. Got to pay to play.

 

Lose weight. Any weight that you can.

 

o, i never said about how MUCH fuel the heater uses.. but i will bet you $1 million that the mpg you get with it on will be less than with it off.. whether it's 1mpg or 0.0000001 mpg..

 

Screw the heater... if you care enough about maximum efficiency (or just looking to save weight on a track car, etc...) then take the heavy heater core out. The thing is at least 40 lbs in the engine bay... Just so nobody needs to ask, I never took it out of this car yet...

 

ok a little update. I did a few tests driving conservatively when i first got the car and got ~18 mpg everytime around town. I put in the k&n drop in and changed the oil to synthetic and my first tank got 21 mpg. Before anyone has a fit, I know there are all kinds of variables that could be slightly off here but there was an undeniable improvement in mpg no matter which way you look at it.

 

Just a reminder that this is the time of year where many parts of the country switch to 'summer blend' fuel, which combined with warmer weather can add anywhere from 3 to 10% better economy.

 

^ interesting. had no idea.