Factors/Modifications to Improve Fuel Economy

[drey]

Let's start a thread here...

Right now, I am thinking of ways to improve fuel economic figures on cars... They say change this and change that, have a tune-up... So what do you think? I've heard here before, it was way back 2006 and tsikoteers have this topic about Revo's that guzzle gas a lot... One owner said changing the muffler to bigger ones gave him additional 2km/l on his mileage! Does anybody has a proof? Please enlighten me about this...

Can you help our gas guzzlers change their appetite because we would like to save more gas for your personal use.

So what mods can you share to improve fuel efficiency?

TIA!

[v6dreamer]

True! The only way to achive better gas milage, maintenance is a must from tune up to a proper tire inflation. Your load, driving habit, driving anticipation when using brake, flooring the gas pedal all of this can contribute poor gas performance. Putting your car at best all the time is crucial unless you are not intrigue for a few drop of a mile.

About muffler. Some said its true, its not just the muffler they have to change but the whole EXHAUST SYSTEM. Try this website, might help you. http://www.magnaflow.com

[suv]

Para sa isang newbie-newbiehan.....ano po yung ginagawa sa tune-up?

Yung intake manifold kailangan ba linisin yun every ___?__ years?

[drey]

Another question, when I was having changing my tires at home.... just for fun! I noticed that the brake/rotor is in contact with the discs enough to make a very very little friction. I was thinking of adjusting it kahit konti lang para continuous ang rotation nya.

Will this improve my fuel efficiency? Is it okay to adjust the brakes?

[Drave]

Another question, when I was having changing my tires at home.... just for fun! I noticed that the brake/rotor is in contact with the discs enough to make a very very little friction. I was thinking of adjusting it kahit konti lang para continuous ang rotation nya.

Will this improve my fuel efficiency? Is it okay to adjust the brakes?

AFAIK, the disc brakes were designed that way to prevent dirt, grime or tiny pebbles from going between the pads and rotors which may decrease braking efficiency and shorten the life of both.

[drey]

Thanks sir Drave... Di ko na gagalawin mamaya.

[alwayz_yummy]

discs are ganun talaga.. just be sure na di stuck-up yan...para malaman mo na di stuckup--dapat after a run, especially hard braking/highway runs--dapat mahahawakan mo ng kamay mo ang preno mo...dito kami nagtalo ng dad ko when the rear tire of our former L300 blew instantly on former NLEX...he argued i was running so fast that the tire blew, but when we got home and had our mechanic checked--it was a stuck tire!my dad never apologized to me...kaya ingatan mo lalo na sa harap, mahirap maputukan ng gulong lalo na sa harap....

PMS dapat nasusunod, optimum is change oil & filter every 3 months, tune up every 6 months, general tune up/inspection once a year..keep your wheel bearings well lubricated, wheels balanced, camber-alignment..

driving--just shift when your foot is nearing 1/4 - 1/2 deep...or 2000rpms and at max of 60-70kph

kung gusto mo makatipid sa fuel, replace with a diesel engine or put an LPG/cng system.

[speedyfix]

best way to save would be to use the thinnest possible oil that is still recommended for your engine.

[userfriendly]

Use energy conserving oil. Normal viscosity of energy conserving oil is 5w30 or 10w30. You might be able to find 5w20 but thats too thin for our climate. From my experience, it improved my FC a lot. Here's my "history"

km at oil change / oil brand and viscosity / FC per car computer
58,000 km castrol magnatech 10w40 FC 18.8L/100 kms
63,500 km Havoline energy 5w30 energy conserving oil FC 16.6 L /100 kms
70,090 km Havoline energy 5w30 energy conserving oil FC 14.2 L / 100 kms
76,500 km RP 10w30 energy conserving oil FC 13.8 L / 100 kms (1500 kms on this oil)

Computer reset after each oil change. Oil change done when "change oil" light signals.

I'm also using Michellin Energy MX1 tires. I think it helps a bit but cant really measure it. I find them to be a bit slippery and would rather have a tire with more grip.

[Type 100]

No mods on my end, just a lack of junk in the trunk and some smooth and sensible driving. I admit I drive fast and I like overtaking, but keeping it smooth and controlled will still help you save fuel.

On automatics, especially, you should keep a controlled, almost constant pressure on the gas pedal while cruising. I notice some drivers stab the gas and brake repeatedly and alternately but with no point to their actions---they just keep on going at the same speed. That's wasteful and isn't smooth at all, and it's also annoying to other highway drivers.

Smooth braking helps a lot. No matter what anyone tells you, it's smooth braking that's the hardest part of driving a car (next to parking and moving in tight spaces). If you're rough on the brakes, that also eats into your fuel because you have to recoup the momentum you suddenly lost by stepping on the gas. Had you lost your momentum gradually, you can also regain it more gradually---with less pressure on the pedal.

[suv]

yung tune up yun ba yung change spark plugs?

[alwayz_yummy]

tune up--change spark plug, adjust valve tappets(if any--some engines don thave adjustments like "2C"), check ignition wires, distributor, timing...

general: add mo yung wheels and underchassis mo....

[zero]

- correct tire pressure
- service your car regularly = having clean filters (air & fuel)
- drive with your windows closed. = reduces air resistance
- slow down - boring but true, driving 10% faster will use between 10 and 20% more fuel.
- clear out the junk inside your car's compartment.

[Bogeyman]

In addition to what's been mentioned, it also helps to plan your trips. Whenever possible, plot the shortest route to your destination beforehand, then leave early enough to take advantage of it.

And always have one or more alternate routes that you can tap whenever traffic threatens to slow you down. I personally don't mind taking a longer detour as long as it means continuous motion, rather than taking a more direct path and then getting stuck in traffic, wasting more fuel anyway.

[meledson]

+ Change driving style, do not be an aggressive driver.
+ Reduce your speed - drive at the slowest possible speed at the highest gear na di nanginginig ang makina.
+ Umiwas sa traffic - pasok na maagang maaga and either umuwi ng maaga din or late na late umuwi.
+ Loose weight - tanggalin lahat ng bagay sa sasakyan na di naman kailangan o pabigat
+ higher tire pressure - matagtag pero may savings ka rito, I personally uses 35 PSI on all tires.
+ engine in tip-top condition
+ Synthetic oils seems to help sa FC
+ aircon - use a temperature na comfortable ka. As minimum as possible, kung kaya, drive w/o an aircon and all windows closed. Kung kaya lang.
+ lessen electrical load - no high power amps, head lights only (dim), no fog lamps, use HID with projectors (Typical consuption:HID - 35 W, Halogen - 55W)
+ larger diameter wheel helps a little
+ narrow tires halps also - lesser friction
+ reduce drag - no roof caddy, no huge spoilers, no antenna farm, etc.
+ FC is worst during the first few km travelled ( mga 5 Km) - di pa kasi mainit (optimal temp) ang makina
+ idling FC = 0. Distance travelled is zero but you are burning fuel.

[uls]

Hack the ECU using a piggyback fuel controller

Alter the signals sent by the MAF/MAP to make the ECU think it is getting less air than it really is. The ECU will inject less fuel to match.

pero be careful, u might lean out the A/F mixture too much

stock fuel maps are set a little on the rich side so there's room for adjustment

[MXFX]

does anyone with cvt have any "tricks?" i got this idea from a nissan forum. in simple terms, drive the car and keep the rpm below 2k. with our sentra, i noticed when i hit 2k rpm, it drops while i am accelerating. i took it easy on accelaration this way and did mostly 40mph while my rpm stays at 1.25k to 1.5k rpm. i was able to go as fast as 50mph without going over 2k rpm. i did this today on a 25 mile roundtrip and averaged 25.4mpg (ac on 1 bar above low, 2 passengers, some cargo). revised epa city on the sentra cvt is 25.

[DonT]

Many suggest to keep the rpm down...e.g. driving 70kph on 5th gear instead of 4th gear.

Are there any drawbacks to this? I guess the engine is getting more stressed mechanically speaking.

[meledson]

Kung hindi nag vivibrate ang makina, OK lang na gumamit ng 5th gear. Disadvantage lang nito ay mahina sa acceleration. Pero pag titipid naman ang habol so ok lang.

Para matipid, use the slowest possible speed sa gear na gamit mo na hindi nag vivibrate ang makina. Usually nasa 1500 ang RPM.

[non-vtec]

was able to get additional 1-2kms per liter city driving by replacing my old noisy a/c compressor. along with other subtle mods like thinner oil, washable drop in filter, etc and most specially efficient driving habits.