Car MPG Efficiency Modifications Main

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Energy flow in a car

You will find a list of more than 65 car modifications that you can do to improve your car efficiency and increase MPG. This is the main wiki page for the list and links to details about how to perform a modification and the efficiency improvement expected.


Visitors to this site that want to get better fuel efficiency should find many ways to decrease their fuel usage with independantly tested improvement results, tested by ecomodder users. Visitors that are interested in these modifications or have other ideas may find the ecomodder forums worthwhile as most of the data in this wiki has been generated by the forum users.


All ecomodder users are encouraged to modify the pages contained in these links with their own experiences, users must sign in to modify pages. For all mods please only list scientifically backed information and please provide supporting references with links. Efficiency improvement results should only be based on back to back tests under the same conditions. If there is no proven tested efficiency improvement listed ecomodders are welcome to estimate an efficiency improvement however please state that it is an estimate.


Any theoretical and untested mods please only include in the unproven mod section below.


For any significant changes or suggestions to this page, please discuss here: Main Mod Page Forum Discussion Link


Drivers can also perform efficient driving techniques for free efficiency gains. See the wiki for a comprehensive list: Efficient Driving Techniques Wiki

See also the EcoModding Projects Pages on the wiki : EcoModding Projects

Proven or unproven theoretically effective mods

Proven modifications which have been tried and tested will have efficiency numbers associated with the modification in the table

Instrumentation

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Alternative fuel consumption gauges
MPGuino DIY and others
0% to 25% $50-100 USD User experience info required
Lean burn indicator User experience info required
Wide band Oxygen sensor with gauge 0% to 54% $250 2 hours User experience info required
ScanGauge OBD-II computer (and similar) ~26%
3 user average
$139 USD
3 user average
48 Mins
3 user average
User experience info required
Thermal imaging $0-$2500 Minutes User experience info required
Vacuum gauge $25 1 hour User experience info required

Aerodynamic mods

Aerodynamic Mods - Deletions

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Front license plate removal User experience info required
Mud flaps (deletion) $0 1 Hour More Efficiency Numbers Required
Radio antenna (relocation/deletion) 0.166%
Theoretical improvement
User experience info required
Raised wing type rear spoilers (deletion) User experience info required
Roof rack (OEM as well as aftermarket) (deletion) 14.6%
Single user
$0 0.5 - 2 Hours More Efficiency Numbers Required
Shave badges, door handles, rain gutters, etc. User experience info required
Side mirror/s (delete) 2.54%
6 user average
$0 - $4 3 Hours
Windshield wiper (deletion) $0 0.5 Hour User experience info required

Aerodynamic Mods - Fabrication

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Aerodynamic front bumper cover Swap/fabricate User experience info required
Belly pan / under tray 3.09% Using pessimistic estimates
6 user average
$21.25
4 user average
6 Hours
5 user average
User experience info required
Boat-tailing behind tires User experience info required
Decrease hood to windshield angle User experience info required
Front air dam 4.73%
3 user average
$5
3 user average
1 Hour
3 user average
More user experience info preferred
Front wheel arch gap fillers 3.23%
1 user average
$3
1 user average
1 hour
1 user average
User experience info required
Frontal area reduction 13.5% estimate
Single user
User experience info required
Full boat tail 10.2%
2 user average
$300
2 user average
25 Hours
2 user average
User experience info required
Grill block partial or full 2.89%
5 user average
$7.50
6 user average
3 Hours
6 user average
Partial Kammback 4%
2 user average
$12.50
2 user average
12 hours
two user average
More user experience info preferred
Pickup truck aeroshell/fastback bed cover 7.98%
2 user average
$300
Single user
20 hours
Single user
User experience info required
Pickup truck tonneau cover (partial or full) 6% $300-$1000 external users User experience info required
Rear corner airflow trip feature User experience info required
Rear Spoiler User experience info required
Ride height reduction -0.02Cd per inch of reduction $250 4hr User experience info required
Sealed panel gaps $0
single user average
10 Mins
single user average
User experience info required
Side skirts 1% $2
single user average
1 Hour
single user average
Information Required, More Efficiency Numbers Required
Smooth wheel covers 3.56%
5 user average
$4.50 per wheel
3 user average
4 Minuets to 1 Hour
5 users
More user experience info preferred
Soften / radius aft edge of front wheel arches User experience info required
Tire spats, or fully contoured deflectors $0
single user average
30Mn
single user average
User experience info required
Upgrade headlights from "bucket" or pop-up style to aero assemblies User experience info required
Wheel skirts rear 2.69%
3 user average
$15.5
2 user average
4 Hours
3 user average
More user experience info preferred
Wheel skirts front User experience info required
Wheel Arch Mud Flaps 1$
1 user average
2 Hours
1 user average
More User Experience Info Required, More Efficiency Numbers Required
Windshield wiper cover 1.5%
single user average
$10
2 users Average
2-3 hours
2 users average
More Efficiency Numbers Required, User experience info required

Drivetrain Mods

Drivetrain Mods - Engine Mechanical

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Advanced ignition timing $0-700 Continuous User experience info required
Car idle reduction 22.7% Reduction at idle
0% Engine warm up
0% Accelerating
0% Coasting
Single user
$0 2 Hours More Efficiency Numbers Required
Cold air and Ram air for diesels up to 9% $0-$400 1-4 hours User experience info required
Cold start idle reduction 0.108 L Maximum saved when started cold
Single user
$0 1 Hour More Efficiency Numbers Required
Economy camshaft swap User experience info required
Engine kill switch for easier Pulse & Glide / Engine off Coasting NA User experience info required
Engine swap User experience info required
Hot / warm air intake for gasoline enignes $0-$100 1-2 hours User experience info required
Increased compression ratio 1.4% to 3.5% theoretical increase per point compression is raised $0-$2000 2hr-16hr User experience info required
Lean burn (adjust air fuel mixture) 20% to 54% $0-$1,000 up to 12 hours Information Required
Synthetic oil LESS than 1% guess
Single user
+$10 per oil change oil change User experience info required
Use lowest viscosity engine oil recommended by OEM up to 3% tested by external users +$20 per oil change oil change User experience info required
Gapless top piston rings External user ~3% increase in efficiency $10-$30 per cylinder 6-12 hours User experience info required
Turbo charging up to 20% (w/diesel) $500-$3000 4-24 hours User experience info required
Water injection 6% tested by external diesel users $160-$800 2-6 hours User experience info required

Drivetrain Mods - Engine Accessory

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
A/C delete $0 2 Hours User experience info required
Alternator delete 6.25%
2 users
$0 User experience info required
Alternator Disable Switch 5% to 10% $30 1-3 hours More Efficiency Numbers Required
Block Heater 4%
2 user average
$52.5
3 user average
1.5 hour
3 user average
User efficiency info required
Coolant heater $100 to $700 1 to 5 hours User efficiency info required
Electric coolant / water pump $160-$500 User experience info required
Mechanical to electric radiator fan swap 14%
Single User
User experience info required
Power steering delete / manual steering rack swap OEM's get a 1-2 MPG gain $0 2 Hours P/S system applies up to a constant 1 to 2 horsepower drag on engine at speed
Power steering electrohydraulic conversions
Converting a standard continuous belt driven P/S to run only part time by use of electric pump or clutched pump
OEM's get a 1-2 MPG gain Lots of $$$$ Many Hours P/S system applies up to a constant 1 to 2 horsepower drag on engine at speed

Drivetrain Mods - Transmission/Differential

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Regear for lower cruising RPM 12.7%
4 user mods averaged
$120 More user experience info desired
Swap from automatic to manual transmission User experience info required
Automatic transmission manual gear control (Manumatic) $5
Single User
4 Hours
Single User
More Efficiency Numbers Required
Synthetic axle/wheel bearing lube 1% $15 2 Hours User experience info required
Synthetic transmission/differential oil 1% up to $10/Qt. 1 Hour User experience info required
Torque converter lock up control 12% estimate $2 2 Hours User experience info required
Use thinnest transmission / differential oil recommended by OEM ~3%
Single User
$12
Single User
1 hour
Single User

Electrical mods

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Bigger battery Install a larger battery for alternator delete or long EOC with lights on up to $400 0.3 to 4 hours User experience info required
L.E.D conversion done in addition to an alt delete or in addition to solar assist or to free up power if you added other electrical loads, save battery power during lights on EOC $2 to $243 per bulb 2-6 hours User experience info required
Solar 12v assist Removing electrical load from alt. is good for up to +5%
or .1mpg per 100w replaced on large SUV vehicles
up to $3 per watt 2-10 hours User experience info required

Wheel & Tire Mods

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Increase tire pressure to max sidewall 0.9% coast down distance increase based on 30PSI to 50PSI increase
(Single user)
$0 0 User experience info required
Lightweight wheels User experience info required
Replace tires with low rolling resistance tires 3.65-13%
External source Users (1) get 6.98%
User experience info required
Replace tires with skinniest tires recommended by OEM User experience info required
Toe in set to zero 8.54%
Single external user
0$ 1 Hour User experience info required
Taller Tires: bigger is better 0 to +5.7% $1,000 for a set of 5 truck tires
A few hundred for a set of 4 car tires
1 Hour User experience info required

Other Mods

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Aftermarket cruise control User experience info required
Cruise control mod: fuel economy logic User experience info required
Electric conversion NA User experience info required
General maintenance NA User experience info required
Hybrid conversion User experience info required
Weight reduction Theoretical improvement
0.636% for every 50kg reduction
See the wiki for assumptions
User experience info required

Motorcycle Mods

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Aero fairings More Info Required
Sprocket swap More Info Required

New Suggested Mods (Ideas or attempts)

These mods should be moved to the correct section after being well documented.

Modification Efficiency Improvement Average Cost Time Effort More Info Required
Reduced electrical loads 0.55% for 50W
Theoretical calculation
More Efficiency Numbers Required

Dis-proven Mods (Hoax Products and non-working mods)

Modification Alternative names Average $$$ wasted Time Effort wasted More Info Required
Fuel Magnets More Efficiency Numbers Required
HHO brown's gas few hundred to well over $1,000 More Efficiency Numbers Required
Liberator fuel saver $39.95 More Efficiency Numbers Required
Tornado Intake Insert More Efficiency Numbers Required
Nitrogen tire inflation $0 to $50 Tire servicing More Efficiency Numbers Required

Template

Template for new mod