Me and my Previa - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

AndrzejM · 11-26-2011, 09:48 AM

Hi All,

It's my first post here, so maybe I'll introduce myself. I'm from Poland and a proud owner of '95 Previa. I bought it recently, and finally I had ability to hit a long road to check it's FE. I haven’t modified anything yet just to check the base level of FE. I just changed spark plugs and wires, new oil and cooling fluid.
So I filled it up and started my trip. My only weapon was my right foot and the consciousness. Car is stock 8 seater, and I haven’t took from it yet. So I was driving with all the seats, spare tyre, some stuff I need for my work and myself.
I was counting for something around 10l/100km (23.52 MPG US), but it seems that I was better than that because FE was at level of 9.2l/100km (25.57 MPG US).
That’s my starting point. I wish to reach level of 7.5l/100km (31.36 MPG US). So keep your fingers crossed for me.

ecomodded · 11-26-2011, 05:46 PM

I think you will make that,A tip for you is put high air pressure in the tires and lighten the load by removing all of the non essential seating,aka the bench seats, then drive slow & steady with some pulse n glides and coasting, be fully economical in your driving style.

AndrzejM · 11-27-2011, 05:56 AM

Thanks for the tip ;-)

Piwoslaw · 11-27-2011, 09:24 AM

Czesc Andrzej, witamy na EcoModderze!
Where in Poland are you from? Is your driving mostly city or highway?

9 l/100km is already good in a minivan like that, but it is still possible to improve on. Check out what Orange4boy has done with his Previa:
The Golden Egg mod thread. Mostly minivan modding

Get rid of as many seats as you can! That weight is a killer if you drive mostly in the city. Tire pressure can be raised, and a grille block will help. Oh, and an engine kill switch for red lights

Pulse & glide works, even with the engine on, as long as you're not going too fast. And I know how hard it is to go slow in Poland!!

euromodder · 11-27-2011, 06:51 PM

Welcome to ecomodder.

9L/100km in a Previa is already a good start - helped by the manual transmission - as these had a reputation of being gas guzzlers back in the day.

Homesplat · 11-30-2011, 01:20 AM

Welcome... I went to Germany a few years ago and most of the mini-vans I saw there had like a 1.9L motor. You have a bit of meat under your hood as far as european cars go, don't you?

AndrzejM · 12-01-2011, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homesplat

Welcome... I went to Germany a few years ago and most of the mini-vans I saw there had like a 1.9L motor. You have a bit of meat under your hood as far as european cars go, don't you?

Not really ;-) There's a lot of mini-vans with engines from 1.6 to over 4 liters so mine is a middle class

Thanks for all replies (Piwoslaw - we have to meet someday!). Just to let you know yesterday I got back home from my trip abroad and two more full tanks were burn ;-)

Here are statistics:
1. 602km distance 52.16 litres = 8.66 l/100km (27.16 MPG US)
2. 795km 64.02 litres = 8.05 l/100km (29.22 MPG US)

I just blocked grill with a piece of carboard, inflated tyres to more PSI and I think I slightly improved my eco-driving. Mostly because I know better my car, and I was driving a bit slower this time.

So my goal may be easier to achive than I thought previously. We'll see how high with MPG I can get with my Previa. Keep your fingers crossed!

Piwoslaw · 12-01-2011, 02:05 PM

Woohoo! If you keep it up you'll pass your goal quite soon

Unfortunately winter will be here soon...

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

(Piwoslaw - we have to meet someday!)

I think something could be arranged. Where are you from? You may have seen me on the roads in central or southern Poland.

I doubt that your '95 Previa is OBDII/EOBD compatible, but if you are good with electronics then maybe you could get a MPGuino working? Keeping an eye on certain engine parameters helps with hypermiling.

AndrzejM · 12-01-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I think something could be arranged. Where are you from? You may have seen me on the roads in central or southern Poland.

I doubt that your '95 Previa is OBDII/EOBD compatible, but if you are good with electronics then maybe you could get a MPGuino working? Keeping an eye on certain engine parameters helps with hypermiling.

I'm from Grodzisk Mazowiecki and I'm working in Warsaw so we're practically neighbours

Yes you're right Previa is not OBD II compatible, and I thought of MPGuino, but maybe I'll find another solution for MPG analyzer.

Right now I'm planning to change the radiator fan from belt driven to electric. That will be my first modification.

Piwoslaw · 12-01-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

Right now I'm planning to change the radiator fan from belt driven to electric. That will be my first modification.

I'm sure that will make a noticeable difference, both in engine load and warm-up times

"Neighbours" in a way: I live on the far side of Warsaw (Falenica), but I'm in Piastów about once a week (sometimes weekends, sometimes weekdays), though usually by train and/or bike

I'll let you know next time I take the car there (no sooner than January, probably), maybe we could meet somewhere in between?