Fuel economy thread.

With the gas prices lately, and those prices rising daily, I thought it would be a good idea to post up some methods for maximizing the fuel economy of your beloved cars and trucks. This might enable you guys to keep them and afford to drive them.

1. Use a lightweight aluminum driveshaft and aluminum flywheel to reduce rotating mass.

2. Keep the stock rearend gear ratio, or better yet put a smaller gear in it. Lower crusing rpm = lower fuel consumption.

3. Install longtube headers, offroad Y-pipe, and aftermarket 3" catback. Yes, this will add about 20-25 rwhp to your car, but this also allow your engine to work more efficiently and improve fuel economy. Its pretty common to pick up 2-3 mpg just by installing a free flowing exhaust system. (Setup will vary car to car)

4. Reduce your engine timing via custom reprogramming. Drop that timing down a bit, and you will be able to run 'cheaper' 87 octane at the pumps. Sure, this will cost you a little hp, but you will be saving if thats your goal.(kind of an extreme measure)

5. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. This reduces rolling resistance, therefore increasing your fuel economy.

6. Make sure your air filter is clean or new. If your filter is dirty, that means your engine is working harder to pull in air. This can affect fuel economy. If you have a restrictive air system install a CAI.

7. Be sure your O2 sensors are functioning properly. Bad 02 sensors are the most common problem affecting fuel economy.

8. Have your wheels aligned. If your wheels aren't pointed straight, and your car is pulling to the side, then you are also increasing the rolling resistance. Less rolling resistance = better fuel economy.

9. Reduce the static weight of your car. The more weight you carry, the more your engine has to work to maintain the same speed and accelleration. Clean that car out, remove that toolbox in the trunk, maybe the spare and jack (carry a can of fix-a-flat and a small compressor instead). Install lightweight suspension pieces, etc..

10. Reduce wheel and tire sizes. Those 19" wheels might look cool, but they also weigh more than smaller wheels. Heavy wheels/tires definitely affect fuel mpg. Maybe get some lightweight racing wheels. Wider tires also increase rolling resistance, and reduce fuel economy.

11. Drive with your convertible top shut, or t-tops closed, and windows closed. Driving with the windows open or top down greatly reduces fuel economy at high speeds. Results can vary depending on the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

12. Big camshafts, larger than stock injectors, superchargers, stroker engines, etc... reduce fuel economy. Duh!

13. This is the most difficult.....keep your foot out of the throttle! Simply reducing your normal crusing speed a little, and not trying to practice your 60' at each stop will greatly improve fuel economy. I know its hard, but if gas prices are affecting you, show a little restraint

Please feel free to add to this list.

14. BUY A CIVIC

prius*

king_midas wrote:

14. BUY A CIVIC

LMFAO funniest thing ive read all month

None of that **** will help my cadillac

make sure your plugs/wires/cap/rotor are in good shape.

put some pure acetone in your gas....

**** i should build a still and run my car on moonshine/ethanol.

^ have fun replacing all your gaskets every so often

I love my mr2 29mpg with me driving with a lead foot. Gota love that.

ethanol blended fuel also reduces mpg, the difference on my car is 4 mpg between 87-regular and 89-ethanol, since ethanol is a few cents cheaper, though, it costs about the same to fill up with either.

Bah... I get 9mpg in my Jeep and I love it. Fuel economy is what the other car is for

Toastr wrote:

Bah... I get 9mpg in my Jeep and I love it. Fuel economy is what the other car is for

Yah, what does your xB get, over 35, right?

27 MPG in a V6 3.8L 1993 Buick Regal
Don't ask me how, but it works for me...

and your air and oil filter

paulygon wrote:

Yah, what does your xB get, over 35, right?

They're supposed to get 30/34 city/hwy, but that doesn't happen... city is usually about 27-28, highway... that depends entirely on wind conditions. It's shaped like a box, thus wind is its enemy - usually around 32 or so. Gotta remember I've got the auto and a nice heavy sub and usually one or more passengers. But it's nice being able to drive and not actually see the gas needle moving. I drove to Galveston and back in the Jeep and I used a 1/2 tank... 68 miles to about 7 gallons xB did the same and I used maybe a gallon. I've done a tune-up on the Jeep since then though, so it'll probably do much better next time

I miss the sentra 40 mpg, and my damn work truck gets 5.7 mpg, but I've been pulling the trailer alot lately.

18.9 mpg in my 94 stang gt convertible (5.0 302). Mostly with the top AND the pedal down

53 mpg city.

New record - 3.7mpg

18 gallon tank, I've done 37 miles and used a needles' width over half a tank. 37 miles to about 10 gallons.... Time to replace that O2 sensor...

Can't wait till I get another job (going in for ankle surgery.. ripped two ligaments in half), since I'm going to snag one of the two 'bikes I've been looking at and drooling over the past month. One's a '98 Ninja 500cc, completely blacked out (riding at night = no no), the other's a '95 YZF600 in bright orange w/ exhaust. Both for $1800, neither laid over... adult owned, blah blah. Can't wait After the MSF course naturally, as I'd like to not kill myself just yet... lol

hmmm I got 36MPg in my matrix thats with heavy stop and go driving and me with my heavy foot.