|
i got a USA-made vacuum gauge off ebay for $25 including shipping. installed it about a month ago and have been really pleased with the results. over the last 3 tanks i've averaged an increase in fuel economy of about 10%. i even smashed my personal best from a year ago: my best tank had been 14.1 km/L (33 mpg), and this was all hwy, just me in the car, windows up. yesterday i got 15.7 km/L (37 mpg) and that was with 3 passengers, all our camping gear, and the windows down. i definitely drove a bit slower than i would have without the gauge but i'm ok with that.
the biggest driving habits i've changed are accelerating at 5-7" of vacuum, backing off the throttle while climbing hills to keep the vacuum steady until cresting the hill and then accelerating at 5-7" vac back up to cruising speed, and using 4th gear a bit more often (5th is a bad choice for climbing anything but the slightest hills).
i drive a stock '90 4wd corolla wagon. never thought i'd see 37 mpg in a 4wd. pretty happy with the little gauge.
|