Traffic Jam is Killing my MPG

[gasti_ako]

The KM reading from my home to work is just 15km translating to 9.32 Miles and imagine that it takes me an hour and 15 minutes to get there. So you can imagine the traffic that I am facing everyday. Ultimately wasting gas. I drive a Honda civic 05 4 door sedan. I guess its not my driving style since I am so conscious nowadays.

The only modifications that I have are these:

17 inch magwheels (might add to the weight- not sure with my tire specs)
Subs at the back of my trunk(might add to the weight)
Royal Purple (10w40 should I go thinner?)

Any inputs guys? Is there hope?

[azraelswrd]

Some hope but if its as jammed as it sounds, no mods will really matter other than finding a different route that isn't so congested. Other option include:

DRIVING
> creating a larger front buffer gap in front of you
> neutral coast when possible (easier if you have that gap)
> neutral idle if you must idle
> engine off if nobody is moving
> turn off all unnecessary accessories (A/C, radio, coffee maker, etc)
> look into alternative route

TIRES
> make sure the tires are pressured up
> opt for low rolling resistance tires
> look into lighter wheels

WEIGHT
> put your car on a diet
> put yourself on a diet

ENGINE
> go as thin as you can but make sure your car can handle it. Some recommend synthetic or 0w but I have no experience with that.

[gasti_ako]

Thanks bro for the reply. I have further questions:

For driving here are my questions:

they say that in neutral driving, the air-fuel mixture is 1:1 as compared to geared, the ratio is lower in favor of the air. since the ECU thinks that you are going to do an engine break. how true is this?

For tires can you suggest a specific magwheel combined with a specific tire with low resistance rolling?

[modmonster]

go hybrid mod !

or for the lazy mod try the big battery mod. power for ignition is 17% of fuel costs at low speeds. if lights are on in traffic jam its even more. Alternator Delete VS starter motor

[bikin' Ed]

15K? Ride a bike! 1/2 of a pint of lube / year-- How's that for fuel efficient?

[SVOboy]

I would try a bike, you'll save a lot of gas and about 45 minutes,

[cfg83]

gasti_ako -

Originally Posted by gasti_ako

Thanks bro for the reply. I have further questions:

For driving here are my questions:

they say that in neutral driving, the air-fuel mixture is 1:1 as compared to geared, the ratio is lower in favor of the air. since the ECU thinks that you are going to do an engine break. how true is this?

For tires can you suggest a specific magwheel combined with a specific tire with low resistance rolling?

This doesn't sound right, but I may not understand your question. Under normal driving conditions in the USA, the Air/Fuel ratio is 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel (14.7:1). The car's ECU tries to maintain this Air/Fuel ratio most of the time. Running "lean" means increasing the amount of air. For example, a lean ratio could be 16:1. Running "rich" means decreasing the amount or air. For example, a rich ratio would be 13:1.

Many newer cars will run lean "by design" when the car is decelerating in gear. Some cars will cut off the fuel completely until the car's normal "idle RPM" is reached.

All cars will run rich when the driver is driving for performance.

The 14.7:1 ratio is used because the emission standards in the USA require this ratio. Otherwise, the catalytic converter won't function properly.

What are the emissions rules in the Philippines? Do you have a catalytic converter on your car?

I agree that a bicycle/scooter/motorcycle would be better, but I also think you get a lot of rain, so it isn't practical for work. Can you commute with a coworker?

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

gasti_ako -

Here is a great thread on how the air/fuel ratio works with emissions :

AutoSpeed on running lean for fuel economy

Here's the article the thread is pointing to :

Autospeed - Running Lean for Economy

It’s self-evident: the less fuel you burn with each kilogram of air, the better the fuel economy you’ll get. Therefore, if you can reduce the amount of fuel going into the engine and still travel at the same speed, you’ll reduce fuel consumption.

So why doesn’t everyone reduce the intake of fuel? The answer to that is more complex than it first appears.

CarloSW2

[Clev]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I would try a bike, you'll save a lot of gas and about 45 minutes,

Unless you're up to building a battery-powered pusher trailer, I'd go with the bike recommendation as well. If you're worried about pedaling yourself sweaty, there are a few nice electric bikes out there on the market that will allow you to pedal very little at the beginning, and then more later as you get into better shape.

[gasti_ako]

Originally Posted by cfg83

gasti_ako -



This doesn't sound right, but I may not understand your question. Under normal driving conditions in the USA, the Air/Fuel ratio is 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel (14.7:1). The car's ECU tries to maintain this Air/Fuel ratio most of the time. Running "lean" means increasing the amount of air. For example, a lean ratio could be 16:1. Running "rich" means decreasing the amount or air. For example, a rich ratio would be 13:1.

Many newer cars will run lean "by design" when the car is decelerating in gear. Some cars will cut off the fuel completely until the car's normal "idle RPM" is reached.

All cars will run rich when the driver is driving for performance.

The 14.7:1 ratio is used because the emission standards in the USA require this ratio. Otherwise, the catalytic converter won't function properly.

What are the emissions rules in the Philippines? Do you have a catalytic converter on your car?

I agree that a bicycle/scooter/motorcycle would be better, but I also think you get a lot of rain, so it isn't practical for work. Can you commute with a coworker?

CarloSW2

thank you for the well thought reply. I just wanna make sure that Neutral Driving/Coasting is ok.

I am also agreeing with you with alternative modes of transportation, in fact I take the train most of the time. My car has been a weekend car so to speak.

I just want to make sure as well that its the traffic and not the car or driver which/who are the source of low MPG. When I went highway driving, I got 33 MPG. Though I am quite speeding at around 60 M/hr. So I am thinking that my highway driving MPG could have been better.

In addition, i think my wheels being a 17" is also a factor. That is why I am changing it when its time to change my tires.

[gasti_ako]

Originally Posted by cfg83

gasti_ako -

Here is a great thread on how the air/fuel ratio works with emissions :

AutoSpeed on running lean for fuel economy

Here's the article the thread is pointing to :

Autospeed - Running Lean for Economy


CarloSW2

I have reset my ECU and are waiting if this affected positively my FE. Based on what I read, we can modify this air fuel mixture? How?

Also, how would you know what is your current air/fuel ratio?

[cfg83]

gasti_ako -

Originally Posted by gasti_ako

I have reset my ECU and are waiting if this affected positively my FE. Based on what I read, we can modify this air fuel mixture? How?

Also, how would you know what is your current air/fuel ratio?

The autospeed articles sell a lot of their gizmos at Jaycar electronics (based in Australia). Here are some Air/Fuel ratio gauges :

Mixture Display Kit For Fuel Injected Cars
Smart Fuel Mixture Display for Fuel injected Cars
Digital Fuel Mixture Display Kit for Cars

I have the last one. I like it because it says "14.7" digitally, so I don't have to figure out what the LED lights mean. But, you don't have to build the kits. You can also buy gauges for this at auto stores or on the internet.

To modify the air/fuel ratio I have this :

My Eagle Research EFIE

But, I don't use my EFIE because I want to be emissions compliant. It is also not a perfect solution (read my conclusions in the thread).

I think the best thing to have is a digital fuel controller, but that can cost a lot of money. If I had the time, I might try something like this :


Digital Fuel Adjuster
Jaycar Electronics

If you have *a lot* of money to spend, you can get a wide-band 02 sensor fuel controller :

Apexi Digital Super AFC II - air/fuel controller - Apexi : ~$400 USA

Fuel controllers are normally used for performance, but this gives you full control over the fuel trim. Because you drive a Honda Civic, you probably have lots of options (see Tuner magazines for more ideas).

CarloSW2

[modmonster]

get an electric bike and carry extra batteries