Today I got the real mileage for my car.
My car is a 2012, cruze, eco trim level, 1.4L turbo engine,6 speed manual transmission.
the engine parameters are: 138 HP @ 4,600 RPM, 148 ft-lb torque.
6 speed manual transmission gear ratio:
4.27
2.16
1.30
0.96
0.74
0.61
today I drove 14.6 miles with a 57.8 MPG. The route is a ~2 miles local before highway, 65 miles speed limit highway, and ~1 miles after the highway.
I contribute the good MPG for the following three factors of the car.
1. this car has an electronically controlled thermostat, so the engine temperature is controlled precisely. when the engine is in light load, the setting temperatire is ~105 degree. when the engine is in the high load, the settign temperature is ~95 degree. In other words, this 1.4L turbo is running HOT.
2. the high top gear ratio: 0.61 is the highest gear ration for the cruze eco. other trim level, (LTZ) or Automatic transmission has the hightest gear ration of 0.74.
3. the wind turnal tested body shape, with a 0.29 drag coefficient.
Also, my drive habit also contributes, I rarely use the brakes, I change to the next higher gear as quick as possible, I select the gear for my engine running between 1,500-2,000 RPM, in which I feel the engine is 'happy'.
The last image is my engine bay, on the top right is the expansion coolant reservoir I changed two weeks ago. The old one had a very small leak. The part is from Amazon (Dorma brand), it costs ~$20. I also planning to change out the water outlet, I already have the part (Dorman, ~$30).
Happy driving.
