The weight reduction process begins

[DukeEcoNukem]

I started the weight reduction process today with mpg in mind, because it is free and I have a little time. I took the spare tire jack and my tools and found some kind of DIY sounds deadener below the spare tire. I ripped the carpet out when I first bought the car and because the heater core was leaking and after replacing it. I couldn't get the smell of antifreeze out of the cabin. I've also changed out the original exhaust manifold with a two piece header when I first purchased the car, because it had a huge crack at the top O2 sensor. I weighted everything I pulled today and it was 48.3lbs, this not including the carpet and manifold. I took pictures but I can't upload them, as soon as I figure it out I'll post them. Any more weight reduction tips will be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows how to remove the original sound deadener without scrapping it out, I would love to know.

[oldtamiyaphile]

I have a 1.6 petrol Renault.

I tow a 600kg enclosed trailer with it, usually at least once a week.

My best tank without trailer is 6.0l/100km. My worst trip with the trailer is 10.0l/100km.

That equates to 0.00666/100km per kg.

This is worst case scenario stuff. 100% city use (10-15mph average speeds), there's an extra axle and extra aero drag.

Do the easy and big stuff by all means, but I wouldn't go crazy. Carpets and sound deadening are a step too far IMO.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

I have a 1.6 petrol Renault.

Do the easy and big stuff by all means, but I wouldn't go crazy. Carpets and sound deadening are a step too far IMO.

I agree. You can do what you want, but carpet weights nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[DukeEcoNukem]

The only reason I pulled bathe carpet was because it was saturated with antifreeze.

[MobilOne]

Some carpets with their associated and integrated pads are quite heavy. 20# or more.

[redpoint5]

I always link this thread when the topic of weight reduction comes up. 793 lb reduction on an Acura TL. I don't think people could go to much further extremes to reduce weight than this guy.

Weight reduction usually doesn't improve fuel economy much, but the cars improved performance and handling can make it more fun to drive.

[redpoint5]

....

[DukeEcoNukem]

Thanks for the advice and the link. They really tore the Acura down. I'm not going to go to that extreme but what I can get rid of I will.

[fusion210]

A popular way of removing the sound deadening without (much?) scraping is using dry ice and smacking it. I've used a heat gun and scrapers. After being so old, most of it was detached anyway.

I went nuts years ago with neons and weighed so many things. Maybe it will give you some ideas on how much something may way or what you could remove.
https://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?t=278316

Just about everything was weighed on a digital scale I use to ship things that's nearly identical to the weights of things I ship from UPS/Fedex/USPS. You may find that if you weigh something, other people's weights are way off.

[DukeEcoNukem]

Wow fusion that's was an insane read and with such great detail and weight you took off. I don't think I'll go to that extreme but did give me ideas of other things to take of for more weight reduction. Thanks for the post.