Converted my Brother-in-law! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

superchow · 08-09-2010, 03:05 AM

My Brother in law moved to Washington from Wyoming and drives a 1995 Buick LeSabre with the GM 3800 V-6. He averaged around 25 mpg in WY, probably because of the large amount of highways miles and also the high altitude of around 6200 ft. His first tank here in Lacey (elevation 100 ft

) and mostly city driving was 15 mpg.

I could tell he was curious about hypermiling, and my tantalizing 37 mpg average got him more interested. Long story short, I brought up the Aerocivic website and a 15 minutes later he was hooked. (Thank you basjoos!)

We inflated his tires to 40 psi and he even tried EOC. But he has the issue that he cannot restart the engine until he puts the transmission into Park. So that was a no-go. Engine braking has him occupied these days.

Bottom line: One of us!

p.s.: His last tank improved to 22 mpg, but he is aiming much higher. I believe that he van reach 28-30 with only different driving techniques. But he is considering an air dam.

Piwoslaw · 08-09-2010, 05:10 AM

Congratulations and good job!

So has he joined EM?

superchow · 08-09-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Congratulations and good job!

So has he joined EM?

No, he hasn't joined yet. I am letting him find out naturally that a fuel log and all the info on this site may be in his best interest.

Phantom · 08-09-2010, 04:21 PM

Do not do EOC on that car it will kill the trans they are not to be towed flat over 50MPH or for more than a few miles. He can restart the car just put it into N and turn the key.

superchow · 08-09-2010, 06:53 PM

Nope, that was the strange thing. When the car is moving the engine won't restart in N. He has to come to a complete stop and then put it in P. Then the car starts just fine. Not a biggie anyway, he's just abandoned that procedure and is working on other ways to improve his mpgs.

euromodder · 08-10-2010, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superchow

Not a biggie anyway, he's just abandoned that procedure and is working on other ways to improve his mpgs.

If he didn't use engine braking before, that should get him some improvement and decent mpg - but nothing spectacular.
Engine-on coasting from way further out, combined with pulse and glide, will indeed use less gas as I'm also finding out