rookie gets 67.26 mpg in CRX

[davelobi]

I'm kind of new to Ecomodders but have been playing with fuel economy for some time. I was doing eoc and p&g before I knew what they were called.
I once broke 51 in a Saturn SL going across rural upper penninsula in Michigan. All 55 mph roads, nice and steady, kids whining for air conditioning.

My last tank on my CRX HF yeilded 67.26. Since then I have bumped tire pressure from 45 to 55 and replaced the smashed front fender. Hoping for a few more passenger-less miles on this tank but will be driving about 100 miles tonight with my 200+ pound brother and all freeway. That trip won't help me. Maybe time to get serious about amount of eoc. I don't do a lot but it is fun sliding along silently knowing you are getting free miles.

70mpg is current goal. Not doing anything crazy, just some pg and eoc. Only things I've done to the car was to add an air dam (garden edging), high pressure tires, and 0-20 synthetic in the gearbox when I replaced the clutch.

I hate looking at my windshield wipers sticking out like a sore thumb. I know it must be a tiny gain but I keep thinking about removing them. Ya think my passenger side door mirror is a bigger offender than the wipers?

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by davelobi

I'm kind of new to Ecomodders but have been playing with fuel economy for some time. I was doing eoc and p&g before I knew what they were called.
I once broke 51 in a Saturn SL going across rural upper penninsula in Michigan. All 55 mph roads, nice and steady, kids whining for air conditioning.

My last tank on my CRX HF yeilded 67.26. Since then I have bumped tire pressure from 45 to 55 and replaced the smashed front fender. Hoping for a few more passenger-less miles on this tank but will be driving about 100 miles tonight with my 200+ pound brother and all freeway. That trip won't help me. Maybe time to get serious about amount of eoc. I don't do a lot but it is fun sliding along silently knowing you are getting free miles.

70mpg is current goal. Not doing anything crazy, just some pg and eoc. Only things I've done to the car was to add an air dam (garden edging), high pressure tires, and 0-20 synthetic in the gearbox when I replaced the clutch.

I hate looking at my windshield wipers sticking out like a sore thumb. I know it must be a tiny gain but I keep thinking about removing them. Ya think my passenger side door mirror is a bigger offender than the wipers?

Nice work. The passenger side mirror adds more drag than the wipers to your car because of the way it protrudes. Estimates on them are around .01-.03cd if I recall correctly. What I do with the wipers is just put them in the back of my car and have a 12mm wrench handy if it starts raining.

[MetroMPG]

Passenger mirror is definitely worse. It increases both frontal area and drag coefficient. Wipers only increase drag coefficient (and likely to a much smaller extent than the mirror).

http://www.metrompg.com/posts/mirrors.htm

I measured a 2.3% increase in fuel economy at 55 mph with the pass. mirror removed, and driver's folded back.

[davelobi]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I measured a 2.3% increase in fuel economy at 55 mph with the pass. mirror removed, and driver's folded back.

2.3% is a substantial number for such a small modification! My drivers one is spring loaded, won't fold but you got me thinking about removing the passenger side one for sure. Need to figure out some type of blocking plate fo it.

[MetroMPG]

Blocking plate -- lots of examples of those around here if you search. Add an internal convex mirror too, and it'll cover a good portion of what you're removing.

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Blocking plate -- lots of examples of those around here if you search. Add an internal convex mirror too, and it'll cover a good portion of what you're removing.

I removed both passenger and drivers side mirrors. My interior convex sticks to my windshield and has a nice firm swivel on it. I think it gives better overall vision than my stock one did.

[davelobi]

Well Metro,
Your numbers motovated me.
I just went and pulled the passenger mirror. Temp blocked with tape. Went ahead and pulled the passenger side wiper as well, who needs that one. Looks like rain or both could have went.
I'm taking a trip tonight to Cabela's, just over a hundred miles.
I have two things against me, it is all freeway and I'll have my brother (about 200 pounds) riding with me. Maybe, just maybe, the mirror n wiper will cancel out his bulk.

[doviatt]

I used to bring along 2 car pool members on my daily work commute. I'm 150, one was 230 the other 180. I didn't notice much of a decrease in my average. The nice part was the noticeably long EOC hill descents rolled much farther. They paid all of my gasoline for over 2 years. That was way better than the hit to my average.

[davelobi]

Originally Posted by doviatt

...one was 230 the other 180. I didn't notice much of a decrease in my average. The nice part was the noticeably long EOC hill descents rolled much farther...

That actually occured to me. Longer eoc's with the added weight.

Well I made the lil trip tonight and decided at the last minute to pull the drivers door mirror as well. I figured out why they make that one the law. On my freeway entrance ramp it was really strange. Almost had to stick my head out the window. Guess that one is going back on. My brother has been hearing a lot about the hyper-mileing game lately from me. Tonight was his first experiance actually riding with me. He knows I'm a tad nuts and that I just enjoy the "beating my best" game. He was patient if not slightly amused. I wonder what he will be telling the guys at his work in the morning... I'm serious..70 mpg, or maybe..Let me tell you about the crazy ride I took last night.

[davelobi]

I'm bummed. Didn't hit the 70 as hoped. Dropped from 67.2 to 64.7 on this tank.
I don't think she likes the freeway. I had a lot of it on this tank, tried to stay down to about 60mph. I think she really likes the rpm at 45 mph on the country roads.