The <50 Club - The confessional

[Arragonis]

As a slightly tonque in cheek response to the 50 MPG club (Auto petrol only) thread (which BTW I think is excellent), I would like to start a 'where did it all go wrong' thread.

Ecomodder seems to me a place to learn from the success of others, but what about the mistakes - the things to avoid ?

So post your parachute aero, superglue tyres, lead alloys or concrete trainers.

[Angmaar]

It all went wrong on the short trips. I get 24MPG if i'm lucky.

[Lokalazeros]

I would like to start a 'where did it all go wrong' thread.

When I had the opportunity to buy a new (to me) car last year, I bought the 1.8 turbo version of the VW Jetta. Now don't get me wrong, I love the car, love the engine, but from a fuel efficiency point of view, I got the second worst engine. 1.9 TDI is the best, then there's the 2.sl0w, then the 1.8 Turbo, and finally the VR6 (2.8 L V6).

Looking back, if only I knew about Fe, and now that I realized that a sport car is useless on the street, I'd buy a TDI anyday.

... Staying off boost if tough, but oh so rewarding at the pump

[bryn]

cooked my starter motor with EOC in an automatic with full grill block and full front belly pan.

[skyl4rk]

i was getting great mileage until my boattail assploded at 85mph

[KITT222]

Originally Posted by Angmaar

It all went wrong on the short trips. I get 24MPG if i'm lucky.

With my Vibe I was about 26MPG on my school commute today. I would have gotten about 28-30 if I hadn't have made the mistake of turning at that stoplight instead of going straight, and running into that other light. The line was so long it took three greens to get me through. Result: 25.6 on the way home as an average day MPG. Although I did learn another thing today while driving in the fresh powder snow: driving carefully in the powder increases your fuel economy.

Hopefully some good insights come in this thread. I'm new to eco-modding, so hopefully I'll learn from your mistakes.

[dcb]

picked up a 94 volvo wagon for the mrs (though it is a 5 speed, and has the rear facing seats in the back back).

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Ecomodder seems to me a place to learn from the success of others, but what about the mistakes - the things to avoid ?

Buying the wrong car for one's real needs is the biggest mistake.

[320touring]

Went to the Auctions for a Small Diseasal Hatch..

Came away with a large 2.0 petrol turbo..

Hey, at least its manual and fast enough for trackwork!

[Piwoslaw]

It all went wrong when I turned the key. Suddenly, the engine started using up fuel and it wouldn't stop until I shut it off. All that fuel - gone, forever! Why didn't I bike today?