Best way to boost mileage without losing power. - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Casey · 11-01-2009, 11:32 AM

My father drives a 2001 Ford E-150 as a work vehicle. Since it's permanently saddled with about 600-700 pounds of required additions (bulkhead, shelving, tools), and usually some serious weight in cargo (our record is 1339 pounds, cargo only), its mileage is pretty terrible.

He gets about 15 highway, and as you might guess, needs the power that the V6 can give. Any ideas on how to boost the mileage without shedding weight, since that's impossible?

Thanks!

Mustang Dave · 11-01-2009, 04:56 PM

A few ideas:

Master list of 65+ proven mods for increasing MPG

EcoModding for Beginners: Getting great gas mileage.

In short, reduce drag and adjust the nut behind the wheel.

k.civic.f4i · 11-06-2009, 12:56 AM

adjust the nut behind the wheel....haha

buckel248 · 11-06-2009, 03:23 PM

Mustang Dave is right: Adjust the way you drive. The beauty of hypermiling is that it can be done on any vehicle, regardless of size or weight. I drive an AWD Subaru Impreza (AWD is a huge drag on mileage). To make things worse, I need to keep a bunch of stuff in my trunk for work. The vehicle's a lease, so I can't modify it. Through hypermiling, I went from 19-20 mpg to 29-30 mpg. 50% improvement (I think that's right, or it's 33%).

Mustang Dave · 11-06-2009, 05:32 PM

It's a 50% improvement.

When I first bought my Mustang, I was getting pretty consistent 26's.
By adjusting my commuting route and driving techniques, I've gotten it into the 30's and 31's. (No mods, other than a shorter antenna.) My first 30MPG fill-up was about 2 weeks before I found ecomodder.com.
I believe engine and tire break-in also helped a bit, since it had less than 200 miles on it when I bought it.

PaleMelanesian · 11-06-2009, 06:33 PM

Another vote for adjusting the nut. My car is basically stock, and I've more than doubled my mileage.

99LeCouch · 11-06-2009, 06:55 PM

I've done a few mods like a grille block and modifying OEM parts. The largest contributor is adjusting my own driving habits. The ScanGauge helps a lot! Any real-time feedback on fuel economy will help you figure out how to get the most out of any situation.

Mustang Dave · 11-06-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99LeCouch

... The ScanGauge helps a lot! Any real-time feedback on fuel economy will help you figure out how to get the most out of any situation.

Definitely!

My Mustang will display average MPG on its information display, which is helpful; but its not as helpful as the real-time feedback of the Scangauge.

tasdrouille · 11-06-2009, 08:43 PM

Aerodynamics.

Mustang Dave · 11-06-2009, 10:19 PM

Yes, aerodynamics make the biggest difference in FE at higher speeds.
In lower speed driving with traffic control devices (AKA stoplights), adjusting the nut behind the wheel makes a bigger difference than aerodynamic mods, IMPE. (YMMV)
With the exception of 3 road trip fill-ups for my Mustang and one road trip fill-up for "Big Red" (with slower driving), my commuting MPG is better than my road trip MPG. But that's OK for me. I drive a LOT more miles commuting than I drive on road trips.