Daox's 1997 Paseo Build Thread - Page 9 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Daox · 03-11-2009, 09:37 PM

I should have done this ages ago, but finally got to it tonight. I've had this oil sitting around for probably over a year now. Its stock spec 75W90, but full synthetic.

Draining was quick and easy.

Filling took a while. It was only about 20 degrees out tonight so this stuff was thick. Thankfully, my wife called me in for dinner just as I started pouring. She had cooked up some great porkchops and the oven was still warm. I ate and the oil warmed up. Even with this, it still took a while to get it all in there.

MetroMPG · 03-11-2009, 10:50 PM

Mmm.. chocolate milk...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Filling took a while. It was only about 20 degrees out tonight so this stuff was thick.

Go thinner!

The incorrect owners manual for my car calls for that weight, but the factory oil that was in it, and the GM synchromesh that's in it now pours like 5w30 synth engine oil, even when it's around freezing out.

Can you get transmission oil analysis done??

Daox · 03-12-2009, 08:15 AM

Yes, you can get an analysis done. I'm not sure if I'm going to bother or not.

Deezler · 03-12-2009, 08:20 AM

Yeah what are some options for after-market, thinner gear oils?

I am about to replace mine soon, after a clutch and gear swap, and just yesterday realized there could be FE benefits from finding a thinner gear oil...

Don't see much out there other than 75w90s, though people say good things about the VW spec synthetic LubroMoly in terms of shift feel.

heres a white paper I just found shjowing comparison of synth to dino 90w. http://www.redlineoil.com/whitePaper/18.pdf

Daox · 03-12-2009, 08:55 AM

Dang it guys, I just changed the oil. Now you're making me want to change it again!

Deezler · 03-12-2009, 09:22 AM

Don't worry man, you put in full synthetic. Until someone shows me something better, I think you just put in the best oil you could of.

I'm hoping someone will chime in here with their fully researched gear oil selections... or SAE papers documenting tangible gains.

TestDrive · 03-12-2009, 11:16 AM

You know you're an ecomodder if, ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

Dang it guys, I just changed the oil. Now you're making me want to change it again!

Daox · 03-12-2009, 11:21 AM

lol, so true...

Daox · 03-17-2009, 01:52 PM

I figure I should add my experiment with additional starting batteries. It went pretty well. Of course it now has me wanting to go alternatorless with deep cycle batteries to supplement power.

I added two additional batteries that I had laying around in my garage. They worked pretty well at keeping the voltage up in the morning when I have to run my headlights with the engine off. They are simply wired in parallel with the existing starting battery. Where as my voltage previously dropped into the low 11V range, they now only drop down to high 11V.

This is just a temporary setup. As soon as I don't need headlights in the morning these batteries will be pulled out.

Daox · 03-19-2009, 11:01 PM

In preparation for the warmer weather, I decided it would be a good idea to have a radiator fan indicator light to see when the fan kicks in. With the large and full grill block this will let me know if I need to open it up or not.

The implementation was pretty easy. I pulled the radiator relay out and shoved the small wire into the blade connector end of the closed side of the relay. Then, I just grounded the other wire on the negative battery terminal. The light is an LED with a restistor. When the fan kicks in, the light gets power and lights up. Pretty simple, and pretty ugly, but it works.

I also removed the other two batteries from the car. After a week of sitting, the batteries had discharged themselves down to 12.2V due to being unbalanced. I imagine it wouldn't be as bad if I drove the car daily, but that is not the case. Plus, the added capacity really isn't needed.