Noob Help! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

cbrer · 04-23-2013, 04:40 PM

Hi. Glad to have found this great resource. I have a 1995 Nissan hardbody pickup in XE King Cab trim with a 3.0 V6 with 433,000 miles. It runs great and hauls toys, tools, and trash. I can't ever expect to sell this thing for its true value to me, nor do I want to.

So I'm assembling the following parts to try and get better fuel economy, and drivability. Along with raising up tire pressure to ~50 PSI. Electric fan and controller. IAT sensor resistor.

My question is how much MPG can I reasonably expect to gain with these changes?

And can anyone recommend other parts or techniques to squeeze out more efficiency?

Thanks ya'll!

Gealii · 04-23-2013, 05:51 PM

can we get a current mpg number?

if your not willing to make an aerocap for the bed probably one of the bigger gains you can do as far as mods, try a soft tanneau cover.

Also try smooth wheel covers, besides changing my driving style they were the biggest mpg gain mod ive done so far

Try looking through our mods list
65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com
plenty of mods that you can do without going extreme or affecting normal driving.

Also how you drive is the single biggest mod you can do.
100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com

Heres a user compiled list of mods and how much mpg gain there can be
Car MPG Efficiency Modifications Main - EcoModder

RedDevil · 04-23-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrer

... So I'm assembling the following parts to try and get better fuel economy, and drivability. Along with raising up tire pressure to ~50 PSI. Electric fan and controller. ... My question is how much MPG can I reasonably expect to gain with these changes?

Welcome.
It depends on what the tire pressure was. 50 is already quite high; the harder the tires get, the harder the suspension will have to work on a rough road, so what you gain in tire rolling resistance might get wasted in the shock absorbers.
Going from 28 PSI to 50 will help a lot.
From 45 to 50 may not help mpg at all if the road is not smooth.

The fan will help a bit, but it will take some time to gain back the cost of the swap. Given the mileage it may just not be worth it.

A good service may help a lot, get the wheels aligned properly etc.

Most of all: Steering wheel nut tightening. See the 100+ hypermiling tips.
Keep a fuel log. Get a tool for instant MPG readout. As you've been lurking, you will know this already of course.

cbrer · 04-23-2013, 06:17 PM

Muchas Gracias!

An aerocap or tonneau is out of the question b/c of cargo requirements. I use a ladder rack for a canoe. It really does haul a lot of stuff. But I didn't notice the other forum you suggested, and will go lurk there for a while.

cbrer · 04-23-2013, 06:26 PM

Oh, and current MPG is 19-20.

JRMichler · 04-23-2013, 09:18 PM

My brother has an aero topper on his F250 (photos in my profile album). He put four eyebolts in the topper for tying down a short canoe. The canoe sets upside down on the slant topper. With nearly zero airflow through and past the open side of the canoe, his mileage hit is too small to measure.

And here's a writeup on the mods to my my truck, along with mileage results: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...yon-17070.html

cbrer · 04-23-2013, 09:43 PM

Thanks. I'm thinking again about an aerotop. What you've been able to do is outstanding and inspiring.

Coroner · 04-23-2013, 10:04 PM

The IAT chip is really designed for performance and power. Power uses more fuel and will probably undue the work of the other mods. Some believe that increasing the performance of the motor will result in less work for the engine and result in better fuel mileage. Make sure you test that mod thoroughly and only after the other mods.

From what I understand, (And others may jump in here), the IAT changes the voltage reading sensed by the ECU with regard to the MAF sensor and will run the FA mixture rich. A rich FA mixture (Like when the car is not yet warmed up) will give you power, but at the expense of economy.

JMHO

Sven7 · 04-23-2013, 10:44 PM

Someone was bound to say it, but have you considered swapping out the motor for a diesel when it goes kaput?

Also, aeromod the crap out of it. Look up aerohead or BZP's T-100's for ideas. Roughly estimating, you could see nearly 30mpg after extensive aeromods combined with mechanical mods. My boat tail "Anal Probe" got 46% over EPA highway with just aero, and it was a decently aerodynamic car to begin with.