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kir_kenix · 04-22-2014, 05:58 AM

Well, I finally achieved one of my long term goals in the dime! I drove down to my dad's house to do a final walk over of his roof we will be slapping shingles on this weekend and decided to see what sort of mpg I could get. 207.7 mile round trip, avg speed of 42 mph on a tank of e10. I knew I had a really good tank going (SG indicating 39.7 on the return and 42.1 on the way down), but I didn't know for sure until I coasted through town and filled up. Hit the magic number of 40.25 mpg!

I installed a new lower grill block (my old one had disintegrated) and finally re installed my lawn edging air dam that got ripped off in the snow this winter before driving down. Didn't have on the flat wheel covers or I probably could have hit 41 or 42. Alternator disconnected on the way down, coasting in N on smaller hills and EOC on bigger descents. Temperature was in the mid to low 70's. 300 lbs of stuff (air compressor, nailers, misc. tools) in the box for the trip down...empty on the way back.

I was pretty ecstatic to say the least. I will not be able to duplicate this on a regular basis because of the amount of effort/patience required...but I now know it can be done at least. I would have been so bummed if I would have gotten 39.9 or something like that because I know there were so many times I made little mistakes on this trip: such as neglecting to put on the smooth wheelies, braking for a few lights I thought I could make, etc, etc.

It gives me some inspiration for my regular commute where I have been averaging just over 30mpg, and gives me a new goal to meet (45mpg!). Pretty sure I could do 45mpg on this trip if the weather was a little warmer, I didn't have junk in the back, went during daylight hours so I wouldn't have to plug in the alternator for the return trip, wheel covers were installed, and I finally completed my 2/3" drop. Guess this just gives me another reason to visit the family

Vehicle specs:
1997 Chevy s10 regular cab
2.2L
5 speed manual (3.73 rear end)
tires at 40psi

Mods (that actually helped):
LED's all around
Choroplast toneau cover
air dam
lower grill block
PS delete
Alternator delete
WAI
E fan
15 watt solar panel
recent tune up and front end alignment

Thanks for all the help along the way guys! Couldn't have done it without Ecomodder.

04-22-2014, 05:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
kir_kenix kir_kenix Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Emerson, Ne Posts: 207 1997 Chevy s10 - '97 Chevy S10 WT Pickups 90 day: 32.71 mpg (US) 1997 Ford Escort - '97 Ford Escort LX Team Ford Last 3: 32.29 mpg (US) Razz - '97 Yamaha Razz 90 day: 109.57 mpg (US) 2004 Ford F250 - '04 Ford F250 XLT 90 day: 16.32 mpg (US) 2000 S10 4.3 - '00 Chevrolet S10 W/T Pickups 90 day: 19.4 mpg (US) 2010 corilla - '10 Toyota Corolla LE 90 day: 32.82 mpg (US) 'Yota - '22 Toyota Rav4 LE 90 day: 37.41 mpg (US) Thanks: 15 Thanked 30 Times in 19 Posts	40mpg (half) tank in the s10 Well, I finally achieved one of my long term goals in the dime! I drove down to my dad's house to do a final walk over of his roof we will be slapping shingles on this weekend and decided to see what sort of mpg I could get. 207.7 mile round trip, avg speed of 42 mph on a tank of e10. I knew I had a really good tank going (SG indicating 39.7 on the return and 42.1 on the way down), but I didn't know for sure until I coasted through town and filled up. Hit the magic number of 40.25 mpg! I installed a new lower grill block (my old one had disintegrated) and finally re installed my lawn edging air dam that got ripped off in the snow this winter before driving down. Didn't have on the flat wheel covers or I probably could have hit 41 or 42. Alternator disconnected on the way down, coasting in N on smaller hills and EOC on bigger descents. Temperature was in the mid to low 70's. 300 lbs of stuff (air compressor, nailers, misc. tools) in the box for the trip down...empty on the way back. I was pretty ecstatic to say the least. I will not be able to duplicate this on a regular basis because of the amount of effort/patience required...but I now know it can be done at least. I would have been so bummed if I would have gotten 39.9 or something like that because I know there were so many times I made little mistakes on this trip: such as neglecting to put on the smooth wheelies, braking for a few lights I thought I could make, etc, etc. It gives me some inspiration for my regular commute where I have been averaging just over 30mpg, and gives me a new goal to meet (45mpg!). Pretty sure I could do 45mpg on this trip if the weather was a little warmer, I didn't have junk in the back, went during daylight hours so I wouldn't have to plug in the alternator for the return trip, wheel covers were installed, and I finally completed my 2/3" drop. Guess this just gives me another reason to visit the family Vehicle specs: 1997 Chevy s10 regular cab 2.2L 5 speed manual (3.73 rear end) tires at 40psi Mods (that actually helped): LED's all around Choroplast toneau cover air dam lower grill block PS delete Alternator delete WAI E fan 15 watt solar panel recent tune up and front end alignment Thanks for all the help along the way guys! Couldn't have done it without Ecomodder.