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DucFanDan · 06-24-2013, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the input! I've started to use pulse-and-glide on the gravel, and that does seem to help. There is one major hill that is a continuous "pulse", but when I hit the peak (around 2000 ft), I can put it in neutral and coast the next 1-1.5 miles all the way down to our driveway, make the turn with a little momentum, then coast down the driveway and right up to the garage door. If the car had electric power steering or manual steering, I'd be able to do that with the motor off... but it has standard hydraulic power steering.

I'm really anxious to get my GTI project running again. With a stick shift and manual everything (the only "power boost" is the vacuum brake booster), it will be an ideal platform for engine-off coasting.

I'll have to play with tire inflation and try to find a good compromise. If I ever get competitive about hitting absolute peak MPG numbers, I'll try the airing down and back up again. But, as you can probably imagine, that's not really a practical thing to be doing every day on my commute. That's a 5-10 minute stop in the middle of the commute... which is already 45min to a hour long (depending on weather). Taking another 10-20 min out of my day isn't high on the priority list. So... I may try that one week just to see what it does for economy, but I doubt it'll becomes a habit. Unless someone makes an aftermarket central inflator I can fit the Subaru (that doesn't weigh a ton).

On the suspension: yep, I've resigned myself to the fact I'll be replacing shocks (and fillings) more often than most folks. Granted... I already do. I've ridden in too many cars to count that have 100,000+ miles on them and never had the shocks replaced... and you could tell! I'm a lot more picky about having proper damping, so I tend to replace shocks every 50-60k miles. Now that we live out here on this road, it may becomes even more often than that. Plus the dust will tear up bushings and bearings, so I'll be replacing those more often as well. A major investment I plan on making in the next year is a 2-post vehicle lift, so I can perform all this maintenance MUCH more affordably and easily.

06-24-2013, 02:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
DucFanDan EcoModding n00b Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Klickitat County, WA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks for the input! I've started to use pulse-and-glide on the gravel, and that does seem to help. There is one major hill that is a continuous "pulse", but when I hit the peak (around 2000 ft), I can put it in neutral and coast the next 1-1.5 miles all the way down to our driveway, make the turn with a little momentum, then coast down the driveway and right up to the garage door. If the car had electric power steering or manual steering, I'd be able to do that with the motor off... but it has standard hydraulic power steering. I'm really anxious to get my GTI project running again. With a stick shift and manual everything (the only "power boost" is the vacuum brake booster), it will be an ideal platform for engine-off coasting. I'll have to play with tire inflation and try to find a good compromise. If I ever get competitive about hitting absolute peak MPG numbers, I'll try the airing down and back up again. But, as you can probably imagine, that's not really a practical thing to be doing every day on my commute. That's a 5-10 minute stop in the middle of the commute... which is already 45min to a hour long (depending on weather). Taking another 10-20 min out of my day isn't high on the priority list. So... I may try that one week just to see what it does for economy, but I doubt it'll becomes a habit. Unless someone makes an aftermarket central inflator I can fit the Subaru (that doesn't weigh a ton). On the suspension: yep, I've resigned myself to the fact I'll be replacing shocks (and fillings) more often than most folks. Granted... I already do. I've ridden in too many cars to count that have 100,000+ miles on them and never had the shocks replaced... and you could tell! I'm a lot more picky about having proper damping, so I tend to replace shocks every 50-60k miles. Now that we live out here on this road, it may becomes even more often than that. Plus the dust will tear up bushings and bearings, so I'll be replacing those more often as well. A major investment I plan on making in the next year is a 2-post vehicle lift, so I can perform all this maintenance MUCH more affordably and easily.