Tips for better gas mileage

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

this is very true, however also mentioned just the fan works best.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: geno

9. a CAI or cold air intake will help get more air into the engine, headers and a free flowing exhaust are one of the biggest power boosters. more power per liter = better gas mileage.

Hrm, not sure about that one, more air = more fuel, especially with a MAF setup. And as far as more power per liter equalling better MPG, look at an S2000, does it have a ton better gas milage than a 2.0 Acura RSX?

colder air is denser, meaning more air per cubic inch. many vehicles pull the air from the fenderwell off of a 900°F brake rotor/caliper. it can get better air than that.
more power per liter i meant liter as a metric measurement of fluid like gallon.

You don't understand. The engine knows when it's getting more air, and will inject extra fuel to compensate - unless you propose changing the A/F ratio again.

 

[mordantmonkey]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

this is very true, however also mentioned just the fan works best.

yeah but when temps start hitting 90 plus, that fan isn't going to move enough air to keep you very comfortable. As someone else stated, at faster speeds aerodynamics becomes an increasing factor. even removing ski/bike racks on the roof will increase efficiency.

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: eelw

Originally posted by: rhino56
6. your driving habits will have the biggest impact on your mileage, coast up to lights, try to accelerate as lightly as possible. ignore everyone elses driving habits including the guy behind you who is very anxious to get up to the next light and stop. his hurry isnt related to getting somewhere faster, its more of a immediate gratification process that has become standard and accepted behavior.
so just ignore them enjoy your peaceful ride.

But you better not be impeding traffic while doing the above though.

i recommend staying within the speed limits set for the road traveled, however if you see the light is red and your coming up to it let off the gas and coast.

i would think that statistically you lose time when trying to hurry and get somewhere because of the people who had accidents and never made it to their destination significanty lowers that stats.
in most cases though driving locally or within 25 miles you only get there like 2 or 3 minutes faster at best.

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: geno

9. a CAI or cold air intake will help get more air into the engine, headers and a free flowing exhaust are one of the biggest power boosters. more power per liter = better gas mileage.

Hrm, not sure about that one, more air = more fuel, especially with a MAF setup. And as far as more power per liter equalling better MPG, look at an S2000, does it have a ton better gas milage than a 2.0 Acura RSX?

colder air is denser, meaning more air per cubic inch. many vehicles pull the air from the fenderwell off of a 900°F brake rotor/caliper. it can get better air than that.
more power per liter i meant liter as a metric measurement of fluid like gallon.

You don't understand. The engine knows when it's getting more air, and will inject extra fuel to compensate - unless you propose changing the A/F ratio again.

yes i understand it. the sensors that monitor the air are before and after combustion.
the maf (mass air flow sensor) measures the air coming into the motor and mixes the right amount of fuel with it.
as i stated for specific engines and the range of years these engines run very rich at factory settings.
by removing the maf screen the sensors are unable to accurately measure the air resulting in more air able to pass thru resulting in a leaner running engine.

i am aware that several motors cannot have the screen removed without problems, but for the years and type mentioned it is very effective.

 

[AdamSnow]

12 - Dont drive like an asshole 🙂

 

[Papagayo]

Always Drive downhill..

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: eelw

Originally posted by: rhino56
6. your driving habits will have the biggest impact on your mileage, coast up to lights, try to accelerate as lightly as possible. ignore everyone elses driving habits including the guy behind you who is very anxious to get up to the next light and stop. his hurry isnt related to getting somewhere faster, its more of a immediate gratification process that has become standard and accepted behavior.
so just ignore them enjoy your peaceful ride.

But you better not be impeding traffic while doing the above though.

On one of my common routes, there is a period of several blocks where it is pointless to drive faster than 23 MPH. That's what the traffic lights allow. Drive faster, and you're hitting your brakes at every block. Drive 23, and you hit every light just after it turns green. It's good to know stuff like that when virtually every traffic light in the city is synchronized "on the grid," so to speak, so you can navigate to avoid red lights, and hit as many greens as possible.

 

[markgm]

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

Maybe not...check out the MythBusters episode. The computer said that the A/C car was using less fuel, but the actual miles didn't work out. The car with the windows down lasted a lot longer...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

This thread smells of Uncle Ben's.

- M4H

 

[saxophonoia]

haha..........#11 is teh funnay

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: markgm

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

Maybe not...check out the MythBusters episode. The computer said that the A/C car was using less fuel, but the actual miles didn't work out. The car with the windows down lasted a lot longer...

it is a pretty broad sweeping statement and every car is different in design really. the ac systems vary in effiency and so do the cars.
so really each person has to pretty much test it on their own.
i know in my truck at 70 mph its better with it off and having the windows slightly down.
running the ac i lose way too much power. its like dragging an anchor

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: markgm

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

Maybe not...check out the MythBusters episode. The computer said that the A/C car was using less fuel, but the actual miles didn't work out. The car with the windows down lasted a lot longer...

The AC vs windows down argument is stupid. What kind of idiot drives on the highway with the windows all the way down? Cracked is enough ventilation unless you live somewhere hot enough that you would use the AC no matter what (like TX in the summer). And you can always open the vent.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: rhino56
running the ac i lose way too much power. its like dragging an anchor

Then you should follow steps 1 to 3 above. 😛

- M4H

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: geno

9. a CAI or cold air intake will help get more air into the engine, headers and a free flowing exhaust are one of the biggest power boosters. more power per liter = better gas mileage.

Hrm, not sure about that one, more air = more fuel, especially with a MAF setup. And as far as more power per liter equalling better MPG, look at an S2000, does it have a ton better gas milage than a 2.0 Acura RSX?

colder air is denser, meaning more air per cubic inch. many vehicles pull the air from the fenderwell off of a 900°F brake rotor/caliper. it can get better air than that.
more power per liter i meant liter as a metric measurement of fluid like gallon.

Yeah, more dense air = more fuel required to remain at a stoic. A/F ratio ... unless you want to run lean all the time 😉 You'll end up using more fuel if the engine compensates for the increased flow of air.

 

[NeoPTLD]

I hear that on a manual gear car, its advantageous to the fuel economy to give about 75% gas in each gear and shift up quickly. Of course, you can't do this on an automatic, since when you push the gas 75% it would shift down and rev up on you.

 

[rh71]

they need to put realtime digital readouts of mpg in all cars.. people will wise up then...

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: geno

9. a CAI or cold air intake will help get more air into the engine, headers and a free flowing exhaust are one of the biggest power boosters. more power per liter = better gas mileage.

Hrm, not sure about that one, more air = more fuel, especially with a MAF setup. And as far as more power per liter equalling better MPG, look at an S2000, does it have a ton better gas milage than a 2.0 Acura RSX?

colder air is denser, meaning more air per cubic inch. many vehicles pull the air from the fenderwell off of a 900°F brake rotor/caliper. it can get better air than that.
more power per liter i meant liter as a metric measurement of fluid like gallon.

Yeah, more dense air = more fuel required to remain at a stoic. A/F ratio ... unless you want to run lean all the time 😉 You'll end up using more fuel if the engine compensates for the increased flow of air.

thats what removing the screen does, it tricks the sensors. but i dont recommend you just try it without researching your make and model and what others have done.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: rh71
they need to put realtime digital readouts of mpg in cars.. people will wise up then...

I have one in my Civic Hybrid 🙂

But having a FCD (fuel consumption display) has its advantages and disadvantages. A disadvantage is seeing your milage plummet in cold weather. It's depressing seeing 6.0L/100km on the display when I can get 4.5L/100km during the warmer weather.

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: rh71
they need to put realtime digital readouts of mpg in all cars.. people will wise up then...

Can you buy those aftermarket?


I averaged 33mpg on my last tank of gas, but it was hard keeping my foot off the gas and under 3500rpm (73mph) on the fwy.

In my experience, "efficiency" power mods like intakes, exhaust, downpipes and crank pulleys can help a lot with gas mileage if you don't have a lead foot. Making more power will make you car move easier, which means that you don't have to give it as much gas. That, and most cars run rich due to NOX reasons. So a simple mod like a CAI will just get more air to the engine and help it use up the fuel that it's already getting.

 

[dmcowen674]

Nobody mentioned it???

Keep your car waxed. Less wind drag on the skin.

 

[markgm]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: markgm

Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
turning the air-conditioner on while highway driving is more fuel efficient than driving with the windows down. this is not necessarily true for city (<40mph) driving.

Maybe not...check out the MythBusters episode. The computer said that the A/C car was using less fuel, but the actual miles didn't work out. The car with the windows down lasted a lot longer...

The AC vs windows down argument is stupid. What kind of idiot drives on the highway with the windows all the way down? Cracked is enough ventilation unless you live somewhere hot enough that you would use the AC no matter what (like TX in the summer). And you can always open the vent.

Ouch...I do, sunroof open as well.

 

[eakers]

12. drive less.

 

[BillGates]

20. Get a better job. You can be out tearing it up in your sweet ride while all the folks whining about gas prices have to stay at home or walk.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: BillGates
20. Get a better job. You can be out tearing it up in your sweet ride while all the folks whining about gas prices have to stay at home or walk.

LOL.