Naive and New to the Neighborhood

[Kiryx]

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a long time MILD hypermiler interested in learning more about fuel economy and being awesome in other (mostly) intangible ways. I own a 2000 Suzuki Swift, a 1965 VW Beetle (sweet ride), and a 2009 Toyota Matrix (base model, shiny, orange).

The first vehicle that I am going to mod will be the Matrix. My wife and I use that car the most and I would like to get her up to 45mpg.?! Based off of what I have thus far gleaned from the information crystalized in this forum, I have compiled a list of modifications that I'll make to our beloved wagon (in no particular order):

$0 - change personal driving style
$0 - Use A/C sparingly
$120 - Convert all signal lights/break lights to LED in order to the alternator's parasitic load
$70 - Install HID headlights in order to reduce the alternator's parasitic load
$0 - Inflate tires to maximum recommended PSI
$155 - Racing disc hubcaps (prepped and painted with black herculiner bed-liner paint)
$200 - Install Low Rolling Resistance (LRR) tires
$20 - Install Upper and lower Grill block made from plexi-glass (prepped and painted with black herculiner bed-liner paint)
$900 - full aluminum or coroplast belly pan
$150 - scan-gauge 2
$30 - panoramic mirror in place of dependency on passenger-side mirror

Original EPA: 32mpg
Goal: 45 mpg (with mild hypermiling)

Just so that no one is unclear on this point: I invite anyone who will, to crush any misconceptions that I may be harboring! I'm a big boy - I can take it.

[SentraSE-R]

Welcome, and your plans sound good. Educating the nut behind the wheel is the key to good mileage. I'd buy a ScanGauge and work on the belly pan and grill block while learning P&G, lowering speeds, and accelerating gradually

[cfg83]

Kiryx -

Welcome to EM! Sounds like most everything you wrote will work. The Scangauge will be a two-for-one, because you can also use it in your Swift. trikkonceptz did heavy mods on a Vibe (the Matrix' sister car) that he used to own. Here's the album :

Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - trikkonceptz's Album: Pontiac Mantis

Here's one of his threads :

DIY Vibe Grille / Fog Deletes

trikkonceptz reached 40+ MPG, and he did it with an automatic tranny!!!!!!! The car's no longer in the Garage because he sold it.

CarloSW2

[Kiryx]

I just tried P&G for the first time today. I must say, it requires equal parts focus and anticipation!

[cfg83]

Kiryx -

Originally Posted by Kiryx

I just tried P&G for the first time today. I must say, it requires equal parts focus and anticipation!

Yeah, when I do that, it pays to "know my route". My commute has become so regular that I know almost every bump and bruise I have to avoid along the way. Knowing *where* to P&G can be almost as important as knowing *when* to P&G.

CarloSW2

[Daox]

Welcome to EM.

The Matrix is a great car. I have a 2003 that I am just getting ready to sell. With some mild modifications and driving techniques I was able to get 47 mpg out of it, and 40 pretty consistently with me and my wife driving. 45 will not be a walk in the park, but if you use P&G you should be able to get there.

Here is my build thread:

Daox's 2003 Matrix Build Thread


BTW, your mods list looks good, but the prices are a bit off. I'd say way more then $200 for tires, and waaaay less for a belly pan.

Good luck, it looks like you're off to a good start.