[esmith2039]

That almost sounds like a waterpump. My alternator is going bad but the alt/battery light is coming on .

If you want to get mad crazy with weight reduction a few other pieces hiding that can be removed. Would be at your risk though, I won't remove it on mine since my wife drives it. Under the front and rear bumper skins the bumper supports can be removed and just reinstall the skin, I want to say 20+ lbs a piece. But if you choose you design a more aerodynamic front end (shouldn't he hard to do). Could remove both airbags also, around 8+ lbs piece. Any lightweight Mazda steering wheel can be installed in it's place. Their's a debate if the 1st gen airbags are more harmful than good as that's what the Aspire's use (would never remove 2 gen in new cars though). Your risk though, your insurance wouldn't like it either. So there's around 60lbs plus any aerodynamic savings if you go that route.

Just a few random thoughts.. don't know how they'd help with MPG. Could install a Honda battery instead of a regular size battery the Aspire uses. Probably 5-10lbs there (maybe more). Maybe add some heavier ground wires under the hood. They helped my last Aspire run better, I guess in theory you could say it helps the alternator out hence reduces its drag?

Some racing techniques can be applied to saving techniques just have to slow down rather than speed up.