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laserwizard · 06-24-2013, 01:07 PM

Another update - nearly 1k on the new tires and the start of the serious attention to inexpensive mods to increase fuel economy.

Before this period, with 6k traveled, the car was averaging about 41.9 mpgs. Now it is averaging 45.9 mpgs doing the same type of travel.

This car (1997 Escort) continues to impress me with its fuel economy. Most significant impact on fuel economy was the tire pressure of 42 mpgs and closing off those side ducts where some models have fog lights. Those two changes really have impacted the coast down length of travel. Sealing off the edges of the hood with Dollar Tree foam with peel off sticky side has not caused any overheating issues (trapping heat under the hood) which was my one fear. Made several trips with temps at 90 degrees or higher as a test.

Last four trips back and forth from my home to Virginia Beach and back have averaged over 50 mpgs and that includes the non-interstate travel to get to the interstate and off the interstate to my folk's house. Head wind performance is a steady 47 mpgs instead of 45 mpgs as before.

I hope this gives others confidence to do inexpensive modifications to their vehicles to save money. There is no need to buy a hybrid when you can drive smartly with a conventional product and easily beat EPA ratings by 10 to 15 mpgs without having to tailgate tractor trailers or to impede traffic flow. I make it a point to respect all drivers and to drive in the slow lane at the posted speed limit (though I will not exceed 60 mph in the 65 mph zone). By learning your local traffic lights and anticipating when red will turn green (if you know how the other lanes are flowing you'll know where you are on the cycle), you can really coast and save money - or if you arrive early in the red light, you can turn off the engine to save gas (something I do regularly). I also have a great memory knowing benchmark mpg figures on certain regularly traveled routes to know if I am driving well or if I need to improve.

Fuel economy driving is very relaxing to me and it is indeed like a game. I actually love driving more now than when I was a lead foot. Any idiot can get to a place by speeding. The joy is driving efficiently and arriving at the same time the lead foot did.

06-24-2013, 01:07 PM	#27 (permalink)
laserwizard EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: virginia Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Another update - nearly 1k on the new tires and the start of the serious attention to inexpensive mods to increase fuel economy. Before this period, with 6k traveled, the car was averaging about 41.9 mpgs. Now it is averaging 45.9 mpgs doing the same type of travel. This car (1997 Escort) continues to impress me with its fuel economy. Most significant impact on fuel economy was the tire pressure of 42 mpgs and closing off those side ducts where some models have fog lights. Those two changes really have impacted the coast down length of travel. Sealing off the edges of the hood with Dollar Tree foam with peel off sticky side has not caused any overheating issues (trapping heat under the hood) which was my one fear. Made several trips with temps at 90 degrees or higher as a test. Last four trips back and forth from my home to Virginia Beach and back have averaged over 50 mpgs and that includes the non-interstate travel to get to the interstate and off the interstate to my folk's house. Head wind performance is a steady 47 mpgs instead of 45 mpgs as before. I hope this gives others confidence to do inexpensive modifications to their vehicles to save money. There is no need to buy a hybrid when you can drive smartly with a conventional product and easily beat EPA ratings by 10 to 15 mpgs without having to tailgate tractor trailers or to impede traffic flow. I make it a point to respect all drivers and to drive in the slow lane at the posted speed limit (though I will not exceed 60 mph in the 65 mph zone). By learning your local traffic lights and anticipating when red will turn green (if you know how the other lanes are flowing you'll know where you are on the cycle), you can really coast and save money - or if you arrive early in the red light, you can turn off the engine to save gas (something I do regularly). I also have a great memory knowing benchmark mpg figures on certain regularly traveled routes to know if I am driving well or if I need to improve. Fuel economy driving is very relaxing to me and it is indeed like a game. I actually love driving more now than when I was a lead foot. Any idiot can get to a place by speeding. The joy is driving efficiently and arriving at the same time the lead foot did.