Here is the updated list of modifications and others that I have done to my 2005 Scion XA daily driver, in 2023.
Also included is planned mods for 2024
The XA went from 36.5MPG to 62.3 MPG in 2023.
80% city driving, 20% highway/ interstate throughout the year.
Updated:
Extreme hypermiling driving techniques.
-minimal idling
-maximizing DFCO (deceleration fuel cut off)
-stoplight timing
-Documented daily commute shift points, acceleration points, deceleration points.
-practice DWB (driving without brakes)
-Never go through drive throughs, always go in and do your business.
New spark plugs.
Spark plugs tell the story of the engine’s efficiency. I wanted to start fresh.
Indexed plugs so the gaps face the intake flow. Efficiency improvement.
Side gap spark plugs, learned about this on the web. Improved spark exposure.
Electric water pump conversion.
Davies Craig EWP 3/15/24
Reduces mechanical drag on engine.
Power steering delete
Reduces mechanical drag on engine.
Alternator field switch.
Disables alternator.
Had a switch lying around. Reduces mechanical drag on engine.
Updated:
Ac bypass when in defrost.
learned to not adjust the dial all the way to defrost. Still get defrost without AC compressor running. Reduced mechanical drag.
This has been working great!
Deep cycle battery.
Had to replace anyway so went with deep cycle.
Full grill block in winter, 80% block summer.
Faster warmup times.
Updated
Thermostatically controlled warm air intake.
Parts off of ebay.
Dirtbike radiator, fed from the coolant system is installed in my air intake filtration box.
Electronic controller mounted on my dash to raise and lower intake air temperature.
Sweet spot seems to be ~130 degrees.
Faster warm up times.
Fuel injector kill switch for engine off without turning off ignition.
Stop light situations, trains etc.
Had the switch lying around.
Prius thermal tank modifcation/ installation
Found used from FB marketplace.
Faster warm up times.
100k pot In parallel with temp sensor.
From old stereo.
Adjust to reduce idle enrichment.
Kammback modification.
Fabbed this up in my shop, used alumalite.
Air flow management
Engine blanket.
R-12, made in my shop.
Faster warm up times
Mini cooper rims.
13.6 lbs, FB marketplace.
Reduction in rotational mass.
New low rolling resistant tires.
Had to replace tires before winter anyway.
Reduced drag
Brake pad return springs.
Driveway project.
Reduced drag.
Sealed all front end air/ body gaps.
Driveway project.
Reduced air drag.
3” lower front air dam.
Used leftover garage door seal.
Less air traveling under car.
Rear corner airflow trips.
Used old tape measure material.
Rear air flow management
Updated :
Front and rear underbelly covers.
Fabricated and installed these in my shop.
Reduced underbelly air drag.
Mud flap delete.
Driveway project.
Reduced air drag
0w 16 synthetic oil. Cold weather mod
Fram full synthetic filter.
Light weight auto transmission trans fluid in manual gearbox.
Cold weather mod
Solar battery tender. Prime day!!
Free battery charging from the Sun.
LED headlights. Less draw. Prime day!!!
Red line water wetter. Experiment
New gas cap seal. Oring from my oring kit.
Alignment, zero toe.
Had this done after new rims and tires were put on. Less drag
New front wheel bearings repacked with low viscosity extreme cold grease.
Did all this work in my shop.
Less drag.
New CV axles.
Boots were cracked.
Did all this work in my shop.
The big three ground setup.
Done in my shop.
Improved electrical system function.
1500 watt block heater.
Fast warm ups.
Have this on a wifi timer that turns on 2 hours before I leave for work.
Davies Craig EWP 3/15/24
Disc wheel covers 3/16/24
Weight reduction -200lbs.
150 pounds of the car, 50 pounds off of me😊
Planned Mods:
2024 planned mods
Additional weight reduction (200#) DIY project
Solenoids for Prius thermal tank. DIY project
Current system is passive. I feel the system can be even more efficient with solenoid valves that close off the thermal tank when engine is off
Additional coolant overflow capacity. DIY project
With the addition of the Prius thermal tank, I have found it necessary to add additional coolant overflow capacity.
Replace rear wheel bearings. DIY project
Increase brake systems vacuum capacity for increased brake function during EOC. DIY project
Install an AEM wide-band air fuel ratio gauge. DIY project
I live on real time Data.
Unable to find code for scan gauge2 (Scion XA) to display real time AFR.
I want to closely monitor modifications without pulling the plugs every time.
