Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Maximizing MPG driving 10k miles in a rental (minivan or SUV)

wmjinman · 03-10-2013, 04:51 AM

I would suggest;

1) Inflate the tires as high as you dare

2) Do a grille block & watch the temp. on your ScanGauge - block as much as you can get away with.

3) Test rear fender skirts. They may or may not help, depending on the vehicle.

4) Run a quick series of tests with the ScanGauge to see what your best MPG speed is. It might be ridiculously low, like 40 mph, but if you know this, and for every 5 mph increment up to 60 - 70 - whaterver you want to test to, you are then armed with knowledge. While you won't wanna be driving 40 on the freeways, I'm sure, if you happen to be on a street in town that has a speed limit of 30, 40, 50 - - - whatever, you can try to keep 'er at 40 at those times. (or whatever your best mpg speed happens to be). Even on the freeway, if you know you do 2 mpg better at 60 than 70, and even another 1.2 mpg better at 55, if you're not in a particular hurry, you'll know you can save gas at 55 if you're willing to drive that speed. (cruise control really helps keep from inadvertantly going faster than you want - set it & forget it) On the flip side of that coin, if you decide you ARE in a hurry & have to go 70 or higher, you'll at least know what it's costing you.

5) Taping seams and removing radio antennas is probably more trouble than it's worth. My experience with folding the mirror(s) back is the gains are real but very small - and losing the use of your mirrors can be a MAJOR hassle - especially as traffic increases. One day I tried to drive into Sacramento in the RAIN with mirrors folded back - - - WRONG!!! I pulled over quick to pop them back out. I was driving blind, traffic was all around me, and with the rain, I couldn't see squat!!!!

6) If it comes with a roof rack and you don't need it and you can get it off, THAT will save you some. - more than folding the mirrors, in my experience.

7) try to avoid loading it so the back end is "heavy" & "squatting down". This exposes more of the aerodynamically "dirty" underside to the oncoming wind and really increases drag compared to level or slightly nose-down.

They make stuff like "goof-off" that's good at removing the residue from duct tape & isn't supposed to hurt the paint. As long as you can count on it not hurting the paint, that could simplify your life. Laquer thinner is pretty good at removing that kind of goo too, but not sure what effect it would have on paint. I'm guessing you'd bo ok, but that's not the type of thing you wanna find out the "hard way"!!!

03-10-2013, 04:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
wmjinman Master EcoModder Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Carson City, Nevada Posts: 612 Jimmy - '00 GMC Jimmy SLT 90 day: 21.18 mpg (US) The White Gnat - '99 Suzuki Swift Team Suzuki 90 day: 51.87 mpg (US) Thanks: 240 Thanked 114 Times in 90 Posts	I would suggest; 1) Inflate the tires as high as you dare 2) Do a grille block & watch the temp. on your ScanGauge - block as much as you can get away with. 3) Test rear fender skirts. They may or may not help, depending on the vehicle. 4) Run a quick series of tests with the ScanGauge to see what your best MPG speed is. It might be ridiculously low, like 40 mph, but if you know this, and for every 5 mph increment up to 60 - 70 - whaterver you want to test to, you are then armed with knowledge. While you won't wanna be driving 40 on the freeways, I'm sure, if you happen to be on a street in town that has a speed limit of 30, 40, 50 - - - whatever, you can try to keep 'er at 40 at those times. (or whatever your best mpg speed happens to be). Even on the freeway, if you know you do 2 mpg better at 60 than 70, and even another 1.2 mpg better at 55, if you're not in a particular hurry, you'll know you can save gas at 55 if you're willing to drive that speed. (cruise control really helps keep from inadvertantly going faster than you want - set it & forget it) On the flip side of that coin, if you decide you ARE in a hurry & have to go 70 or higher, you'll at least know what it's costing you. 5) Taping seams and removing radio antennas is probably more trouble than it's worth. My experience with folding the mirror(s) back is the gains are real but very small - and losing the use of your mirrors can be a MAJOR hassle - especially as traffic increases. One day I tried to drive into Sacramento in the RAIN with mirrors folded back - - - WRONG!!! I pulled over quick to pop them back out. I was driving blind, traffic was all around me, and with the rain, I couldn't see squat!!!! 6) If it comes with a roof rack and you don't need it and you can get it off, THAT will save you some. - more than folding the mirrors, in my experience. 7) try to avoid loading it so the back end is "heavy" & "squatting down". This exposes more of the aerodynamically "dirty" underside to the oncoming wind and really increases drag compared to level or slightly nose-down. They make stuff like "goof-off" that's good at removing the residue from duct tape & isn't supposed to hurt the paint. As long as you can count on it not hurting the paint, that could simplify your life. Laquer thinner is pretty good at removing that kind of goo too, but not sure what effect it would have on paint. I'm guessing you'd bo ok, but that's not the type of thing you wanna find out the "hard way"!!!