Q: How to bump start the Mirage? - Tutorial Wanted

[Ares]

I have also successfully tested this with the Push Button Start.

While rolling, push the start/stop button 3 times (or hold for 3 seconds) - the engine stops
Push the start/stop button twice (first it goes to amber light "ON" 2nd goes to green "ACC")
Release clutch + some gas = start

I found it interesting that the engine will NOT start even if clutch is fully released until you give it some gas.

[Alpha_One]

@Ares, it does start without applying any gas. I do it all the time. You have to be coasting rather quickly though. Around 20kph on 4th gear, no gas needed. Mine's also a push-button model.

[Ares]

Will try again.

[Marlon]

I'm all for a good challenge and I like a manual and try to maximize my shifting like the rest of you guys. But this whole idea sounds kind of extreme, distracting, potentially hard on the car and possibly dangerous. What kind of extra gas savings do you think you can get? The whole idea of the Mirage is to drive sensibly and conservatively and save energy the old fashioned way with lightness, low power and simplicity.

[MetroMPG]

this whole idea sounds kind of extreme, distracting, potentially hard on the car and possibly dangerous.

Hi, Marlon.

You're absolutely right: it could be all of those things when done wrong by a poor driver in inappropriate conditions/environment.

But that doesn't mean it's always those things, by default. It's an advanced technique, and skill, discretion and judgment are required.

If you're not an excellent manual transmission driver (e.g. you never stall, you always change gears smoothly, and you understand how to do matched-rev downshifting), I'd say this technique probably isn't for you.

What kind of extra gas savings do you think you can get?

A 10-15% improvement isn't a much of a stretch, depending on the driving environment.

[Marlon]

I stand by that I think its a technique probably not used by anyone. But I agree its probably safe if practiced and used judiciously. Unless you do some very unusual driving, however, I find it hard to believe it could save that much. A challenge for you. Drive about 50 miles in your usual way (presumably in your regular daily driving, nothing unusual) doing everything else the same except 50 miles with the technique and 50 without it. See how much you actually save and let us all know. I'd certainly be interested.

[Daox]

P&G helped me get a best tank of 71 mpg with my 1997 Toyota Paseo. Previous best was probably in the high 30s or low 40s. No joke. It helps a lot. It is a lot more work too.


Paseo fuel log

[MetroMPG]

You may not be surprised, but I tested this years ago: I saw a 13% fuel economy improvement in my 1.0L car by stopping the engine when approaching stops, turns, & some descents on a city route that I ran back to back for comparison.

It's a well-known advanced fuel saving technique used by efficiency enthusiasts.

Yes, it probably qualifies as "unusual driving", unless you happen to be driving a hybrid, because they do the exact same thing, automatically.

The main reason hybrids get such good city mileage is mostly due to this effect -- the engine shutting down almost every time you release the accelerator, while the car continues to coast along. Their limited "EV mode" makes a much smaller impact on their good city numbers.

But I agree that your warnings stand: it's distracting, potentially hard on the car and possibly dangerous if done by a poor driver in the wrong circumstances.

[Marlon]

OK. You seem to have the numbers.
Thanks for the information.

Marlon

[Donut]

Still practicing the bump starting every day when leaving the parking lot at my working place. The success rate is really low, but I managed to get the engine running the last two days.

Do you know whether the bump starting efficiency depends on temperature? (This would explain a lot.)