Best economy yet this year

[Ecky]

Weather is finally warming up. One of my brake rotors was slightly warped and pulsing (slight friction even when driving) so I replaced it with a nice Wagner Thermoquiet. Yesterday I drove to the grocery store around 6PM. Traffic was moving steadily. Highway speed was ~55, overall trip average speed was ~37mph. A few stop lights and stop signs. Outside temperature was in the upper 70's. On the return trip my car was fully up to temperature, and the battery was around 50% charged.

Pic was taken the next morning, which is why everything is showing as cold.





It's easy to get discouraged during the winter. Economy tanks and it seems like there isn't anything I can do. Upper 40's mpg is not unheard of, even doing my best.



Plan to take apart and lube my calipers and put some grease where the pads touch them. Also need to top off my tires. Can't wait to see what I get as it continues to warm up! I'm glad spring is here.

[westb87]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Weather is finally warming up. One of my brake rotors was slightly warped and pulsing (slight friction even when driving) so I replaced it with a nice Wagner Thermoquiet.

Good choice! I'm a big fan of Wagner Thermoquiet brake pads. I love not having to scrub brake dust off my wheels every week! The bite you get from those pads is also outstanding. I haven't seen their rotors very often, but I'd get them given the choice!

Originally Posted by Ecky

Yesterday I drove to the grocery store around 6PM. Traffic was moving steadily. Highway speed was ~55, overall trip average speed was ~37mph. A few stop lights and stop signs. Outside temperature was in the upper 70's. On the return trip my car was fully up to temperature, and the battery was around 50% charged.

Pic was taken the next morning, which is why everything is showing as cold.





It's easy to get discouraged during the winter. Economy tanks and it seems like there isn't anything I can do. Upper 40's mpg is not unheard of, even doing my best.



Plan to take apart and lube my calipers and put some grease where the pads touch them. Also need to top off my tires. Can't wait to see what I get as it continues to warm up! I'm glad spring is here.

I can't see the pic where I'm at unfortunately. I'm always a fan of properly lubricating your brake components. Are your rear brakes drums? Don't forget that those guys need lube as well on the shoe to backing plate contact points...just a dab willl do ya.

I'm glad you're getting your MPGs back!

EDIT: Apparently, I'm a fan of things...lol

[Ecky]

MPG is ~94 for those who can't see images.

I'll lube my rears (drums), I'd forgotten to do that. Thanks!

One of the draws of the thermoquiet rotors is that they're electroplated/coated with a rust-resistant coating. Maybe nickel? They also seemed to be a hair thinner/lighter than my old rotors.

[westb87]

Originally Posted by Ecky

MPG is ~94 for those who can't see images.

I'll lube my rears (drums), I'd forgotten to do that. Thanks!

One of the draws of the thermoquiet rotors is that they're electroplated/coated with a rust-resistant coating. Maybe nickel? They also seemed to be a hair thinner/lighter than my old rotors.

94mpg!? That's freakin' awesome!!!!!

No problem! I'm not a fan of drum brakes at all, but over the years I've learned that those contact points really must be lubed. Glad you're going to check!

I got my rear drums in a rust resistant coating as well. I love the way any of those coated rotors/drums look. They continue to look sharp even after several thousand miles of use, I know you're going to love them!

[Ecky]

Rear drums on an Insight are made of aluminum, with a thin steel sleeve for the friction surface where the pads touch, so they still look great too.

[westb87]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Rear drums on an Insight are made of aluminum, with a thin steel sleeve for the friction surface where the pads touch, so they still look great too.

Dang, Honda really did work to make those Insights as light as possible. I believe that aluminum has better heat dissipation properties as well, right? I wonder what could have been done for Civics in that same regard, though I'd imagine that would make one of the vehicles "redundant" if they both had the same features, lol.

[Ecky]

Aluminum is a better conductor, but has lower heat capacity. It's wonderful for pulling heat away, but becomes saturated sooner. I'd say steel probably can take longer periods of hard braking, all else being equal.

On the other hand, the Insight's drums also have cooling fins.

[westb87]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Aluminum is a better conductor, but has lower heat capacity. It's wonderful for pulling heat away, but becomes saturated sooner. I'd say steel probably can take longer periods of hard braking, all else being equal.

On the other hand, the Insight's drums also have cooling fins.

Cool stuff! Thanks for sharing that one. My S10's drums have fins like that...but it's a truck...and it's drums are steel. :P

[Ecky]

Got my mirror-cameras back on last week. Lubed all of my brake pistons. Temperature outside was near 90 today. Great success.

[19bonestock88]

Holy crap! That’s some friggin great mileage!