Hit a plateau

[Arragonis]

Hi,

I seem to have hit a plateau with my ecodriving at the mo.

The story so far is that I have managed to stretch a tank which used to last me 400 miles (I would fill up at a panic by 420) now lasts over 600 miles. Not quite the Kilo-Kilometre tank but getting closer. My tank is officially 45 litres but I can vent it to about 10 litres more - this is a kind of mini TDI. I need to update my fuel log but haven't, but last 3 tanks are:

52
53
54

MPG (imperial).

But I have hit a limit of about 55 Imp. Even resisting the urge to muller Honda Accords (in the dry, this morning I lost but it was wet ) I can't seem to get my average over that. I seem to have tuned my SG2 to match so that a tank average matches the real world quite closely - last real tank was 54.3 and SG said 55.8.

I have no mods as yet, no lightening (spouse restrictions). No aero (no time to fit it).

Techniques are EO(n)C where I can, in gear downhill, out of gear when I can coast for longer that way. I avoid EO(ff)C mostly because I have a Turbo, although I do use it in heavy jams when I haven't used the turbo for a while.

Tyres are sporty (205/55 17s) and I'm not going to go slimmer as even with those traction is an issue - my rears (Yokohamas) have no grip in the wet, the fronts (Rainsports) are OK. I do pump them to 45 just now, thinking of going 50 as the jump from 38-45 made a difference to coasting I could feel straight away.

I haven't investigated aero yet as the roads here are worse than Beirut and we have loads of speed humps which could remove any undertrays and certainly mitigate against any lowering.

Car is 6sp manual 1.9 (ASZ) TDI 130 Fabia (aka VW Polo).

Suggestions welcome.

Cheers

A

[Daox]

Grill block (you had to see this coming)

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

I seem to have hit a plateau with my ecodriving at the mo.

It's been getting notably cooler over the last few weeks.
First frost came last sunday.

My FE has already gotten a small hit - you're still improving !

Tyres are sporty (205/55 17s) and I'm not going to go slimmer as even with those traction is an issue - my rears (Yokohamas) have no grip in the wet, the fronts (Rainsports) are OK.

Those are hardly LRR tyres.

When they need replacing you could opt for something sporty with a lower RR - Michelin's Pilot Sport 3 or Pirelli Cinturato P7 comes to mind.

Especially the Pirelli Cinturato P7 got good LRR and wear characteristics according to ADAC.de testing.
Surprising for a Pirelli

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Daox

Grill block (you had to see this coming)

Superskoda sell one ready-made.

Skoda Fabia I - front grille cover : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

But they actually want more for shipping than what these parts cost ...

[Old Tele man]

...what's the Scotish word for the proverbial american JUNK YARD?

[320touring]

i would make a witty remark about hitting plateaus and rutting season..but i wont

As it is, i'm still hovering right over 40mpg now myself-and i can feel the frustration creeping in.

I've identified 6 things i'm going to do about it.
1. Increase my tyre pressures to 40- at 36 just now
2. Warm air intake
3. grill block
4. Reduce p&g speed range from 65 to 60-50
5. Keep a log of the 'free miles' and money saved by hypermiling
6. Book a trackday.. Gotta have fun sometime!

so far 5 and 6 are underway, with 4 due to start on the next tank

5 is proving very fruitful, over 2000 miles i've saved almost a tank of fuel (£65) this equates to a full service and a visit to the cinema for me and the dame.

Over the 6000 mile service interval i reckon i'll be £200 up, which translates to 1x service plus 30.37UK gallons-about 1200miles!

Stick at it fellamy car will pay its purchase cost off in saved petrol within a year!

[bestclimb]

drop 5kph off of your average speed?

[robchalmers]

Grille Block, and put a charge duct in front of intercooler to lower the intake temp, its something i'd have done if I had a turbo!

Scottish word for Junk Yard - Scrap yard, Scrappy, Sh*t tip, Runcorn ( :P )

[Arragonis]

I'm not sure I'm still improving, I think the variation is well inside any margin for error. I may look at other tyres but this car seems very sensitive to tyre choice. The front Uniroyal Rainsports seem to work the best, others I've tried make for exciting times in the damp.

Originally Posted by euromodder

Superskoda sell one ready-made.

Skoda Fabia I - front grille cover : Skoda Tuning = superskoda.com

But they actually want more for shipping than what these parts cost ...

I have a block but not fitted, combination of no time, rain, lack of skill etc. Not sure if it will help though. That one looks tempting, I've saved more than 25 GPB on each tank so far...

Originally Posted by robchalmers

Grille Block, and put a charge duct in front of intercooler to lower the intake temp, its something i'd have done if I had a turbo!

The IC is in the front wheel arch, what is this duct of which you tap ?

[Arragonis]

PS - that block is on the wrong way round anyway, the air intake is on the other side