Quote:
Originally Posted by Sularus
I was hoping the great community here might help me to come up with ways to mod the car that keep it looking somewhat factory and convince her it will help me save gas.
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Good move with the Ultra Gauge, and I think you're right that adjusting the nut behind the wheel will show benefits. Your fuel log already shows you beating EPA significantly. The UG will only help.
I would second the belly pan because it does not change the look of a fine new car, but I wonder what the dealer would say about it when you bring the car in for service. Ditto your suggestion of an injector kill switch. If you can devise a seamlessly reversible kill switch for arrivals at the dealer... go for it. Ditto the grill block.
What I would consider would be these items:
1) either take the belt off the AC or pull its fuse/relay for winter. That is easily reversed.
2) experiment with removing the PS belt. Your car is pretty light. Easily reversed.
3) tire pressure... raise it to reduce rolling resistance. No need to reverse.
4) Install a block, coolant, or oilpan heater. If your part of NC is not the coastal lowcountry, the cold starts are costing you gas--how much nobody knows for sure. This won't violate a warranty.
5) lower the car to reduce frontal area and drag. I bet this won't break the warranty since so many do it.
As far as convincing your wife: all of those options have been shown to aid fuel economy and the first three are free. You will save money.
Good luck... nice little car. Enjoy it!